Unless you are on a tour from January 1 to December 31, and are doing back-to-back television, radio and print interviews to support your new release, you probably have, at least, a couple of hours to kill, so to speak, each week.
In fact, it is likely that you have more than a couple of hours to kill that you would like to put to good use. As such, have you ever thought of using that time to help other everyday citizens who may also have an interest in learning some aspect of music?
Such a venture would go especially well for those few of you who are *not* on a continuous tour from January 1 to December 31, and are *not* doing back-to-back television, radio and print interviews to support your new release. :-)
You may not realize it, but it is a fact that most people like some form of music, regardless of what they do in life, in terms of their vocation, their financial status, etc. And, more than a few of these people would like to learn how to sing or play an instrument.
And, whether you are based in New York City, or Beria, Texas <=(so small, the cows go to the city to party), there is no shortage of prospective clients for you. In short, many such people are likely looking for you and your teaching skills right now.
And, there is no need to be bashful about teaching or feel that you are unqualified to teach because, remember, these are people who, for the most part, are completely unfamiliar with music, as for learning its musical and technical skills.
Regardless of your skill level, you assuredly know more than they, of which they can learn. In fact, you may just become their hero.
They are also going to be students who are eager to learn, and could just be the sparks to re-ignite your own energy level in regard to music.
* What aspect of music would you teach?
Well, that is entirely up to you, but if you are a singer, you could give other people private lessons on voice. If you are an instrumentalist, you could show people how to begin playing the instrument that you do.
The important thing to understand is that you already have a marketable skill that you can utilize, and which will serve the two-fold purpose of helping others learn a desired skill and feel better about themselves while also increasing your income level even further.
And, your clients can range from children to adults. In fact, proof of this point is to simply start playing your instrument around kids to see how, regardless of what they are doing at the time, they instantly stop to look and listen to you.
"So, Kenny, how do I get started? How do I get clients?"
Well, Im glad you asked those questions, because they were going to be my next points.
After deciding what area(s) you want to teach (voice, instrument, music theory, songwriting, music or lyrical composition, etc.), then determining what your rates will be, you will need to notify the public in order to obtain clients.
Side Note: Class durations are, generally, half-hour and one hour, with minimum rates of $10/half-hour. You should also create a progressive lesson plan or outline.
Also, as I briefly covered in a previous issue, you can also consider contacting area community colleges that will likely be receptive to your classes within their "Continuing Education" program. And, if time allows, consider teaching at both the community college level, as well as independently.
Back to Main Topic:
In order to notify the public of your teaching services, the following list will do well in accomplishing this:
* Low-cost ads in area weekly newspapers
* High schools to post notices/fliers
* Colleges to post notices/fliers
* Low-cost college newspaper ads
* Low-cost college radio ads
* Your website with your class notices
* Low-cost cable television advertising
An even greater way to increase your teaching income is to consider holding weekend seminars, which would allow you to schedule a larger number of students per class session. If you have enough room in your home to conduct this size of a group, this will be great and eliminate your need to rent commercial space.
Also, the more areas that you can teach, again, such as; voice, instrument, theory, songwriting, music or lyrical composition, the greater you can increase your income.
Additionally, if you are skilled in multiple areas, and you have students who desire to learn more than one skill simultaneously, such as; voice/instrument, music/lyric composition, voice/theory, you could increase your rates accordingly as well.
Lastly, you could further increase your income by teaching certain music aspects, such as theory, songwriting, composition, etc.
Note: Provide your credentials to student prospects in the forms of a resume and/or portfolio in the interest of their consideration of becoming students.
* Special Note *: This article was inspired by and is dedicated to my first private teacher (Dr. Max Morley), whom I salute, and who was, pardon the pun, "instrumental" in music as my career choice.
At Stephen F. Austin State University, in 1975, and during my junior year in high school, Dr. Morley also taught me how to safely "double tongue" and "triple tongue" on my Getzen trumpet without ending up in the emergency room. Accomplishing that feat alone is worth its weight in insurance premiums.
