I’m going to say the title again, this time I’m shouting it so everyone can understand what I am saying-YOU ARE NOT WASTING MY TIME. Seriously, I really do mean this and the reason why I feel I need to shout it is that every adult student somehow expresses that they feel like they are wasting my time.
My time is my own and I get to decide how to spend it. If I choose to take you on as a piano student then I am essentially making a decision that is best for me. Sure it is a classic win – win type of situation, but from my perspective, it is an enjoyable way to make some money.
Let me elaborate further. I currently teach a woman who is in her eighties. I travel (not very far) to her home and she has her lessons in her home. Apart from having a student that is willing to listen and take on board what I am asking her to do, she is a very pleasant and interesting person. To be honest, I think she is quite fascinating and like many of the older generation, has gained a lot of insight and wisdom to various aspects of life. So when I go to her place to teach her, I am welcomed with a smile and her excited little dog, is also happy to see me. She has her piano lesson and we have a chat. Also it is worth pointing out that the chair I sit on for the lesson is also close to her couch and her lovely little dog climbs up on the back of the couch, right by my hand, so I often end up giving this pooch a nice chin scratch while I am teaching.
In all honesty, I find that I really enjoy teaching this lady. She is most definitely worth my time and energy. She also pays me on time and she is always making sure that she is up to date with her payments.
I’ve also had the comment made to me that I make more money doing relief (substitute) teaching than I do teaching piano. Yes it is true, but I am happy doing a combination of both. As you all know, there is more to life than just money and to be blunt, if it was all about making as much money as I could, I would not be a combination of a relief teacher, a piano teacher and a blogger.
The reason that I share this with you is that piano teachers are happy to teach adults – all you have to make sure is that you pay them on time. You don’t have to be a quick study, you don’t have to do hours of practice daily. All you need to do is put in a reasonable effort. So don’t ever be concerned about wasting a piano teachers time, besides if they didn’t think that you were worth their time, they would simply stop teaching you.