Flute teaching, how to get pupils?

mizzy2

I taught flute at home from age 15 to 18.

The_Edible_Dormouse

It's just tough at present as people are cutting back - I'm a singing teacher, and also finding that even keen, regular pupils are coming once a fortnight instead of their former once a week.

I think all you can do is keep plugging away - is there a Saturday morning music school that you can contact? I taught for two Saturday and one Thursday evening schools when I was at college (many, many years ago...) and have never been quite as wealthy since...

Best of luck.

Zenjen_2

Hi there.

I am a saxophone teacher, also up north. There are different ways to get pupils but the top tips i would recommend are that

a) Newsagents have never paid off for me. I think I have only got one pupil down that route, and a lot of time wasters. If you do design a flier there are better places to leave them. I had more success in the foyer of my local art-house cinema, the local friends meeting house and the noticeboards of various church and parish halls which will often let you put stuff up for free.

b) Advertising in schools is usually a big no no. This is because most state schools have their music tuition provided by the LEA's peripatetic music service at rates that are far more competitive than yours would be as an individual and most schools feel that if they allow private teachers to advertise this will undermine their relationship with the local LEA's music service who will often have a 20-30 year relationship with the school.

c) Therefore, a great way to get work is to get in touch with your local LEA and send your CV to it's music service. If you are of a decent standard (grade 7- 8 plus), have references and evidence of teaching experience then there is often work around. Most teachers are not full time, and there are often small positions available such as doing one school for 5-6 hours a week at 15ish pounds an hour. Obviously they'll be an interview and audition but it is steady work and will save you loads of money on advertising etc. They often also have work in helping run local ensembles, summer schools, music theory classes, extra curriculam stuff and odd jobs such as working in the stock room or instrument repair.

d) If you really want to be self employed there are plenty of agencies on the net that you can join, sometimes free that will send work your way. Although they charge a fee you usually get a pretty decent rate of pay and don't have to do your own advertising.

Other places to advertise:

Local parish/church magazines.

Local classified adds

Gumtree/Craig's list

Mail shot through doors in middle class areas (I have found advertising in poorer areas a waste of money as in most authorities kids in those areas will qualify for some kind of subsididised free lessons at school and simply can't afford the rates of a private tutor.)

Also, if you're going to send out fliers etc its vital that you have a link to a website, with a catchy domain. In this day and age loads of people will check a teacher out on-line before contacting them and if you've got a professional looking site with your CV, experience, teaching philosophy etc then this will give you a real advantage.

Hope this helps, best of luck,

Jen

usa1

you could try your local private schools

mizzy2

thanks these are all useful although I have already tried the private schools and they dont have any vacancies. I have a myspace as its free and I can put my own music on there. Ive tried gumtree and had nothing before but il try it again.ive also tried the local music service who told me I need to finish my degree first. so looks like my best bet is a private music school or advertising in churches/community spaces. thanks everyone for replying

The_Edible_Dormouse

I've just had another thought - if you know some of the local peri teachers (or can find out who they are and get to know them), you could offer to do holiday, or even sickness cover for them at short notice. It's a "way in" with the local music service as well for when you've graduated.

ppolly

Advertise on the general notice board at your university - thats how I found two of my flute teachers! (I was working there as staff, not a student). Also try local libraries

Mikazaru

You could try advertising on Student Gems. It's a website for students to find freelance work, I've never posted an advert on there myself so don't know how good it is for finding clients for teaching etc, but I have found a few jobs through there which have been good. Could be worth a try.

nicci1807

Hi

Have you tried Gumtree.com as a means of advertising? My son is 18 and tops up his student loan by teaching bass guitar to pupils.

He's used gumtree for 2 years now (originally in the 'skills swap' section in return for maths tuition) and has built up a decent learner clientele.

It's free to post, so probably worth a try.

Also, post on the forums nanny websites......this is a field I work in and many nannies organise their charges private lessons instead of the parents. This is also free of charge.....just sign up to the forum and post your message.

www.nannynet.co.uk

www.nannyjob.co.uk

Hope this helps,

Kind regards

Nicci