want to teach...how?

[uethanian]

so let me lay out some things: i'm 18, i'm going off to college next fall, and until that point i'd like to teach some bass.

now i don't claim to be a great bass player, and i'm certainly in no position to work with intermediate/advanced players (cause that's kindof where i'm at). but i'd like to do novice/beginner stuff.

i know more theory than i know what to do with, i have both a classical and jazz background with bass.

but how in the world do i get students? i missed out on one my teacher wanted to hand off to me, the music studio i applied at never called me back (according to general consensus, 18 year olds don't know crap about anything). pretty much everyone i know is already involved in music, so no takers there.

what bugs me is one of my friends, a piano player, has about 10 students a week. how do you even get yourself that kind of opportunity?

how do you get people interested? i can't get a position at a studio, due to local competition. i don't have a car, so students would have to come to me. i can't think of many parents that want to pay an 18 year old to teach their little jimmy how to play music. besides which, i can't think of many little jimmys that want to play bass (i think piano is definitely a different situation, a much more reputable pursuit in parent's eyes). so...can anyone help me out?

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by uethanian

how in the world do i get students?

Originally Posted by uethanian

i don't claim to be a great bass player, and i'm certainly in no position to work with intermediate/advanced players

I missed out on one my teacher wanted to hand off to me, the music studio i applied at never called me back (according to general consensus, 18 year olds don't know crap about anything). pretty much everyone i know is already involved in music, so no takers there.

i can't get a position at a studio, due to local competition. i don't have a car, so students would have to come to me. i can't think of many parents that want to pay an 18 year old to teach their little jimmy how to play music. besides which, i can't think of many little jimmys that want to play bass (i think piano is definitely a different situation, a much more reputable pursuit in parent's eyes). so...can anyone help me out?

I'm kind of in the same boat so I'll level with you. It looks like you answered your own question. No offense here, but if you're (self-admittedly) not skilled enough to keep up with competition, have no experience, and no transportation, why should anyone hire you?

You don't get 50 students overnight. To get in a position like that you need the skill, the experience (qualitative and quantitative), the credentials, and the contacts.

Don't bother advertising unless you've got something to advertise. You say you have an abundance of theory knowledge. Get some certifications to prove it. You say you have a jazz and classical background. How about a list of your past and present gigs? You get the picture. Don't expect people who are looking to pay their hard-earned money to take you for your word.

The best you can do right now is start small because everyone starts at the bottom. Offer to teach some friends. In the meantime you should work on developing lesson plans because nothing says amateur like an unfocused, unorganized teacher.

[62bass]

Originally Posted by uethanian

so let me lay out some things: i'm 18, i'm going off to college next fall, and until that point i'd like to teach some bass.

now i don't claim to be a great bass player, and i'm certainly in no position to work with intermediate/advanced players (cause that's kindof where i'm at). but i'd like to do novice/beginner stuff.

i know more theory than i know what to do with, i have both a classical and jazz background with bass.

but how in the world do i get students? i missed out on one my teacher wanted to hand off to me, the music studio i applied at never called me back (according to general consensus, 18 year olds don't know crap about anything). pretty much everyone i know is already involved in music, so no takers there.

what bugs me is one of my friends, a piano player, has about 10 students a week. how do you even get yourself that kind of opportunity?

how do you get people interested? i can't get a position at a studio, due to local competition. i don't have a car, so students would have to come to me. i can't think of many parents that want to pay an 18 year old to teach their little jimmy how to play music. besides which, i can't think of many little jimmys that want to play bass (i think piano is definitely a different situation, a much more reputable pursuit in parent's eyes). so...can anyone help me out?

I have no trouble getting enough students and I teach at home but I don't attract many young beginners although I'm not adverse to teaching them. I find that most of them aren't very serious about it and just want to learn to play like their heroes and I haven't got the time or interest in keeping up with that scene. I like to teach guys who want to become musicians.

So, I see your problem. Maybe you need to find out why you want to teach. If it's only for an easy way to make money I don't think that's what you should be doing. You won't be very happy doing it and you probably won't attract or keep many students. You can't make much money working for a store that has teachers and I'd never do it. I charge good money for my time but I feel I give my students a lot for what they pay. I've seen some younger teachers who don't know much about teaching or music turn out some pretty terrible students. They may learn a few licks but they can't really play. I have no interest in teaching like that.

As far as finding students, I've been succesful through word of mouth mostly. But I also have a business card which I give out anytime I talk to someone who might be interested. I give them to anyone who expresses an interest in learning bass or anyone who knows some who just started playing and is looking for help.

Some music store allow you to post an ad on their bulletin board. These are the stores that don't have their own business teaching. I've been successful with running a short ad in newspapers. In some cities there are weekly newspapers that reach prospective students. When I was teaching in Vancouver many years ago I ran a weekly ad in the Buy and Sell Press in the music section. It didn't cost much, just one line long and was well worth the weekly cost. I always got enough calls. Then it was up to me to sell myself on the phone. But I still didn't sell myself until I found out whether the student would be worth teaching. Where I live now the Buy and Sell Press doesn't attract students.

Anyhow, try some of these methods and see if they work and give teaching a shot. You might find you're good at it and can do well. You might even find that it makes you ant to become a better player yourself. I find I learn quite a bit teaching and it's rewarding and not just financially.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by 62bass

I have no trouble getting enough students and I teach at home but I don't attract many young beginners although I'm not adverse to teaching them. I find that most of them aren't very serious about it and just want to learn to play like their heroes and I haven't got the time or interest in keeping up with that scene. I like to teach guys who want to become musicians.

So, I see your problem. Maybe you need to find out why you want to teach. If it's only for an easy way to make money I don't think that's what you should be doing. You won't be very happy doing it and you probably won't attract or keep many students. You can't make much money working for a store that has teachers and I'd never do it. I charge good money for my time but I feel I give my students a lot for what they pay. I've seen some younger teachers who don't know much about teaching or music turn out some pretty terrible students. They may learn a few licks but they can't really play. I have no interest in teaching like that.

As far as finding students, I've been succesful through word of mouth mostly. But I also have a business card which I give out anytime I talk to someone who might be interested. I give them to anyone who expresses an interest in learning bass or anyone who knows some who just started playing and is looking for help.

Some music store allow you to post an ad on their bulletin board. These are the stores that don't have their own business teaching. I've been successful with running a short ad in newspapers. In some cities there are weekly newspapers that reach prospective students. When I was teaching in Vancouver many years ago I ran a weekly ad in the Buy and Sell Press in the music section. It didn't cost much, just one line long and was well worth the weekly cost. I always got enough calls. Then it was up to me to sell myself on the phone. But I still didn't sell myself until I found out whether the student would be worth teaching. Where I live now the Buy and Sell Press doesn't attract students.

Anyhow, try some of these methods and see if they work and give teaching a shot. You might find you're good at it and can do well. You might even find that it makes you ant to become a better player yourself. I find I learn quite a bit teaching and it's rewarding and not just financially.

+1, although I don't advertise yet, when that day comes I will want to do it right. How you sell yourself is very important. But above all, I still think the key is to establish a reputation.