When Music Called, We Answered

This is my first writing on music theory trauma, a term I am defining as (working definition), "any negative music learning experience associated with music theory, emotions of anxiety, fear, and insecurity formed while learning music theory in classes, lessons, or experienced in public performance, all contributing to varying degrees of a lower sense of self worth as a musician."

As with all online trolling and negative comments, these music theory reactions stem from wounds experienced earlier in some kind of music learning environment that created shame. While an endless number of factors could have influenced that sense of shame, the negative reaction (such as a public hate comment) is evidence that these wounds have not been healed. The comment really has nothing to do with the original issue or event at hand. As someone who regularly witnesses deep-rooted negativity around my discipline, it has taken this point to really sink in and not take anything personally.

I've read dozens and dozens of Music Teacher Studio Policies, and the majority of educators are undercharging their services for private lessons, resulting in leaving money on the table, and, creating serious implications for music education as a whole.

Many of you know that I am an advocate for music educators, and I want us to sit in our worth. If the majority of music teachers are lowering their fees, it devalues all of us.

*Music Executives $150-$300K+
Music Tech $80-$150K+
Music Educators $25-$90K (non-admin)

If you're a music educator, those figures feel like a slap in the face. In comparison with all other music industry-related yearly salaries, it is a fact that music educators are the LEAST compensated. I believe that we live in a culture (U.S.A.) in which education, in general, is not respected and valued in terms of compensation. This isn't a controversial statement if you are in education.

For the amount of financial investment into our own musical training, the ROI (return on investment) is most often not there.

In this article, I'm going to tell you what you need to charge for teaching individual music lessons (instrumental, voice, theory, musicianship).

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New offerings at Music Theory Shop summer '23 to support music students and aspiring music teachers:

Do you teach music and want to make extra cash? Apply for the Music Teacher Affiliate Program 

Need some help with chords and writing charts? Now pre-selling for only $27 "Write Better Chord Charts" 

Need to nail down your Studio Policy? Enroll now in "Write A Studio Policy for Your Music Teaching Business"   

I started teaching piano lessons in high school. While my friends were working at the mall, I was making a lot more $$ in less time, by teaching. I was barely seventeen years old, and I had a lot of doubts about charging for piano lessons because I was young, and just a piano student myself. I had zero degrees in music, let alone a high school diploma!

If I started teaching lessons with ZERO music degrees and teaching experience, you can, too. We all have to start somewhere.

This article is going to make the argument for how teaching music to beginners will not only bring in more income in a shorter amount of time than your coffee shop job, but that it will help you become a better musician yourself, give you soul-fulfilling purpose, and inspire the next steps of your music career. 

If you're a music teacher, you know that students coming unprepared is inevitable. This article is to help us music teachers not lose our minds when this happens, armed with a preplanned lesson that is ready to go.

When students are unprepared for their music lesson, use this as an opportunity to teach a lesson on a musical skill that fulfills student deficiencies due to the overall lack of time in music lessons. After reading this article, you may actually look forward to the days when students are unprepared!

In this article, I'm going to (1) provide 10 topic suggestions (which could also be used for a "play week" lesson); (2) suggest what to say and how to react to the unprepared students; (3) how to communicate effectively with the parent so that we all avoid shaming unprepared students, which is one of the main reasons for quitting music.

The new year always attracts new students to begin music lessons. What is working in your music studio? What can be improved, or let go altogether in order to have a bigger impact on your students and grow your business?

In this article, I will address four main categories to set up your music teaching studio for success in 2023: (1) Housekeeping Tasks (updating website, studio policy, rates, etc.); Communication (email list, communicating with students & parents, surveys, etc.); (3) Suggestions for Additions to the Studio (more offerings to increase income and give students what they need); (4) Growing Your Business (social media strategies and ideas to think about moving forward).

The new year is the best time to implement new policies, procedures, and structures into your business. And for some, this is the time to begin a new music teaching business!

What if we allowed our weekly music students to plan one week of NOT PRACTICING? 

"Okay, Harley. You've practiced consistently for 6 weeks straight and I'm proud of you. This week, your assignment is to NOT practice. That's right. I'm still going to write down everything I would normally write in your assignment book, but your job is to play music only for fun. Do whatever you want! See you next week."

Umm..if my piano teacher said this to me when I was taking lessons, I wouldn't believe it. But boy, this would have been a fun week! Of course I would still practice piano (I was THAT kind of kid), but psychologically, I would feel like I was still making progress and not losing a week from not practicing.

Introducing, the "Play Week." The "Play Week" is in contradistinction from the typical "Practice Week" where students practice, usually daily, all of the technique, theory, musicianship, and repertoire prescribed from the lesson.

A "Play Week" is one week off from structured practice. Students still must play their instruments, but they can choose what songs and pieces to play for fun.