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Post by jonnymosco on Oct 12, 2022 16:45:42 GMT
teacher, where would you look?
I'm now back to full-time guitar teaching following a hiatus.
What would be your approach to looking for lessons if you wanted them?
I'm thinking of signing up to some of the music teachers' sites, but not sure this route is the way to go.
I'm on RGT and never had any enquiries...
Cheers
Jonny
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Post by malcolm on Oct 12, 2022 17:52:03 GMT
If I was looking for guitar lessons I would want a face to face teacher, but I accept this is a very old fashioned view.
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Post by jonnymosco on Oct 12, 2022 19:07:00 GMT
malcolm, face-to-face would be the ideal, but it is incredible how much can be picked up on and developed through online lessons. Also, only looking for a local teacher limits the pool of teachers and range of expertise. So you're saying ads locally in cafes, newsagents...?? Jonny
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Post by jangarrack on Oct 12, 2022 19:54:16 GMT
I had a few lessons face to face many years ago and more recently just a few years ago I had some excellent lessons from jonnymosco over Skype. Without doubt, Jonny's Skype lessons actually worked very much better for me. Personally, I felt more comfortable and relaxed in my own environment than I ever did when arriving at another location then getting myself ready for a lesson. I also found it helpful being able to sit, practice and get as prepared as possible in the spot where I was to have my lesson, then being able to stay there and carry on afterwards with everything fresh in my mind. It also helped that Jonny is an excellent teacher and very patient. Jeff
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Post by jonnymosco on Oct 12, 2022 20:07:34 GMT
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Post by jangarrack on Oct 13, 2022 7:25:01 GMT
Yes, of course, I'm happy for you to quote me. As someone who had never experienced lessons over Skype before, I was not sure at all sure it would work for me so for anyone else to have reservations is understandable. I can only recommend giving it a try. Jeff
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Post by borborygmus on Oct 13, 2022 11:07:03 GMT
I was lucky enough to have face-to-face lessons with jonnymosco, which were top notch, and highly recommended - and now sorely missed, as we used to live 5 miles apart, now we live 150 miles apart. We both moved. In contrast, I never got on with Skype lessons at all. I expect that the technology has got much better over the last couple of years, with Zoom and Teams in particular improving out of necessity. I should try again, I suppose... But anyway, YMMV. In terms of how to advertise/promote your services, Jonny - where does your target market hang out? On forums like these, AGF, The Fretboard... but also numerous Facebook groups? If you are looking for local pupils, then local online Groups. We have a local monthly free magazine which is delivered to all households, which is probably super cheap and where I found my piano teacher. Why not build up a network of other music teachers to strengthen word-of-mouth? "Thank you for teaching my daughter piano, do you know a good guitar teacher for my son?" Referrals will always be your strongest source of good prospects.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 13, 2022 11:25:55 GMT
I'm very lazy when searching out tuition - I haven't done it often, but when I do I try a Google search which brings up the numerous tutor sites you refer to, or occasionally Gumtree will have relevant people advertising their services. When searching, I did specify local tuition and in-person teaching, so that limited my options a LOT.
I am still very much a fan of face-to-face lessons. I had a two-day training course this week conducted over Zoom, which was actually a lot better than I expected, but still felt a little awkward compared to an in-person course.
In saying that, I'd be up for trying out remote learning for guitar to see if it might work.
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brianr2
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Post by brianr2 on Oct 13, 2022 11:57:06 GMT
I think most people will start with Google. A search for “guitar teacher North Yorkshire” produces a mixture of agencies and individuals’ sites and it might be investigating search-optimisation mechanisms. My friend’s son found his teacher via a recommendation from his school. I don’t know if it is possible to build links with local schools, perhaps by offering discounted or free introductory sessions. Another route might be the University of the Third Age: fatfingerjohn may be able to advise, having led such groups. I suspect the best solution will be a mixed economy of on-line and local advertising, underpinned by personal recommendations. Good luck!
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 13, 2022 16:34:31 GMT
I think most people will start with Google. A search for “guitar teacher North Yorkshire” produces a mixture of agencies and individuals’ sites and it might be investigating search-optimisation mechanisms. My friend’s son found his teacher via a recommendation from his school. I don’t know if it is possible to build links with local schools, perhaps by offering discounted or free introductory sessions. Another route might be the University of the Third Age: fatfingerjohn may be able to advise, having led such groups. I suspect the best solution will be a mixed economy of on-line and local advertising, underpinned by personal recommendations. Good luck! Hi, Re Brian's note. Yes, I run a group of about 16 in Nottinghamshire at Ravenshead U3a. Whilst I am always 'teaching' them throgh what we do, it's not 'lessons' as such and I wouldn't profess to have either the skills or technique to do other than helping people along. There are other U3a groups in a few parts of the country but its very much 'learn as you play' and 'play as you learn'. Great fun and really rewarding for all but not proper lessons. This is us ... (sorry you can't access the Members Area for our songs and resources) www.u3acousticravenshead.org.uk/
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Post by malcolm on Oct 13, 2022 18:40:34 GMT
malcolm , face-to-face would be the ideal, but it is incredible how much can be picked up on and developed through online lessons. Also, only looking for a local teacher limits the pool of teachers and range of expertise. So you're saying ads locally in cafes, newsagents...?? Jonny I suppose my reply was not really serious and a bit tongue in cheek. Of course I realise that local is a thing of the past, I just like a bit of personal interaction and for me online just doesn't do it.
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Post by jonnymosco on Oct 14, 2022 9:15:56 GMT
Thanks for your replies, really helpful. In terms of how to advertise/promote your services, Jonny - where does your target market hang out? On forums like these, AGF, The Fretboard... but also numerous Facebook groups? If you are looking for local pupils, then local online Groups. We have a local monthly free magazine which is delivered to all households, which is probably super cheap and where I found my piano teacher. Why not build up a network of other music teachers to strengthen word-of-mouth? "Thank you for teaching my daughter piano, do you know a good guitar teacher for my son?" Referrals will always be your strongest source of good prospects. Thanks for your positive remarks Peter... My ideal target audience would be adult learners who want to develop their skills and repertoire, fingerstyle and classical, but I've taught lots of singers who just want to just improve on the guitar as accompaniment. Teaching kids is a tricky one, especially if they are going to struggle with even holding the guitar, I've had a lot of experience in this area and know that older students progress quicker. I'm on the Forums (don't know The Fretboard though), Facebook groups and of course YouTube; I have a Facebook Jonny Moss Guitar Tutorial page, but few followers. I'd like a mix of online and in-person students, so will advertise locally. I know two local guitar teachers and told them I would send over any enquiries for electric guitar, sadly they have not reciprocated. I try a Google search which brings up the numerous tutor sites you refer to, or occasionally Gumtree will have relevant people advertising their services.
I am still very much a fan of face-to-face lessons.
In saying that, I'd be up for trying out remote learning for guitar to see if it might work. My Google profile only has one review on it, I'm hoping for more, even my son, who has recently started teaching piano, comes up before me in the Google profiles and I've had it for four years. The tutor sites are all a bit odd - I'm on the Registry of Guitar Tutors site and never had an enquiry; I tried to sign up to another, applied (hours of work), but not heard back; after I applied for another it revealed they take a large cut - I will persevere though, even to appear higher in the Google search results. I'll try Gumtree, that's something I advertised through last time round. Martin, I'm pretty sure you are ideally suited to online lessons... if only you could find a decent teacher. My friend’s son found his teacher via a recommendation from his school. I don’t know if it is possible to build links with local schools, perhaps by offering discounted or free introductory sessions. Another route might be the University of the Third Age: fatfingerjohn may be able to advise, having led such groups.
I suspect the best solution will be a mixed economy of on-line and local advertising, underpinned by personal recommendations.
Good luck! Thanks Brian, to be in a position to be recommended by a school is a good suggestion, many have their own guitar teachers though. I also hadn't thought of U3A. Re Brian's note. Yes, I run a group of about 16 in Nottinghamshire at Ravenshead U3a. Thanks John, I'm guessing it is voluntary work? My parents joined their local U3A and did all sorts of things and made many friends, so it is something I would like to be involved with. Whilst I was in my day job (in education, draining and stressful) I continued with a few students to keep my role as a guitar teacher ticking over, now I have committed to it almost full-time. My life is so much better, with more freedom to spend with my family. I enjoy the interaction with students and get a real buzz out of helping them become pleased with the sounds they make and seeing them developing as musicians. I'm off into town now to put up some flyers. Jonny
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Post by borborygmus on Oct 14, 2022 11:38:15 GMT
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Oct 14, 2022 12:27:18 GMT
My friend’s son found his teacher via a recommendation from his school. I don’t know if it is possible to build links with local schools, perhaps by offering discounted or free introductory sessions. Another route might be the University of the Third Age: fatfingerjohn may be able to advise, having led such groups.
I suspect the best solution will be a mixed economy of on-line and local advertising, underpinned by personal recommendations.
Good luck! Thanks Brian, to be in a position to be recommended by a school is a good suggestion, many have their own guitar teachers though. I also hadn't thought of U3A. Re Brian's note. Yes, I run a group of about 16 in Nottinghamshire at Ravenshead U3a. Thanks John, I'm guessing it is voluntary work? My parents joined their local U3A and did all sorts of things and made many friends, so it is something I would like to be involved with. Whilst I was in my day job (in education, draining and stressful) I continued with a few students to keep my role as a guitar teacher ticking over, now I have committed to it almost full-time. My life is so much better, with more freedom to spend with my family. I enjoy the interaction with students and get a real buzz out of helping them become pleased with the sounds they make and seeing them developing as musicians. I'm off into town now to put up some flyers. Jonny Yes it's totally voluntary. I started the group off 10 years ago and most then were beginners, about 8 people. But since then more have joined and some played a little before. The only cost to them is their (small) annual U3a fee and, as we have to hire a hall each fortnight, they pay £10 each about 3/4 times per year. I get nothing other than the enjoyment and reward of seeing people learn to play and now perform. Whilst you cannot charge for running a u3a group, you might of course get referrals for private lessons. I get asked occasionally but refuse to accept money as I'm not a 'proper' teacher. If we do get anything from our performances we put it towards some basic expenses/kit and if there's anything left donate it to charity.
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Post by peterh on Oct 14, 2022 15:29:57 GMT
Hello Jonny,
you certainly helped me alot with our couple of years, on skype and in person. . I did think I could hide my problems on camera!
I still do the left hand and right hand stuff, and look to use anchors and count everything.
I will message you with some queries...
All regards
PeterH
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