As your child progresses on his or her instrument they might need to find a private teacher.

You might be asking yourself, “Why a private teacher? Why can’t my child just take lessons from the school’s music teacher? It would be cheaper and easier for us. I wouldn’t have to find a teacher and find a time in my already packed schedule to drive back and forth to lessons.”

Well, school music teachers have to know a little bit of every instrument. Eventually, the teacher will have taught the student all they can. That is to be expected; it is not a sign of a bad teacher. If you are lucky, your child’s instrument will be the same as the teacher’s main instrument and a private teacher won’t be necessary. But if the teacher played clarinet and your child is a budding drummer, you need to find a private teacher who specializes in that instrument. So how to find a good private teacher?

First of all, ask the school’s teacher.

Some teachers have a list of acceptable private teachers. If they don’t have any recommendations then ask at a music store for names. Why is it better to ask other musicians than just looking in the paper or online? Anyone can claim to be a music teacher and put out an ad. You may not be sure what exactly you will be getting from this person.

Here at West Music, all teachers have undergone background checks, reference checks, and extensive interviewing. Most of our teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree in music. West Music also works extensively with the area school teachers, so our private teachers will not be contradicting with the school teachers. We make sure that not only are our teachers good musicians, but they are good teachers as well--and well worth the extra time and effort on your part.