How to Be a Violin Teacher

Becoming a violin teacher requires time, dedication and practice, but is a very enjoyable and very rewarding career. The keys to being a good violin teacher are: (1) keep an open mind, (2) be creative, (3) be flexible, (4) be enthusiastic and passionate about teaching, and (4) never stop learning. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Violin
• Violin instructors
• Violin literature
• Notebook
• Violin students

1. Take violin lessons yourself from a variety of instructors. Studying with different teachers will introduce you to a variety of teaching styles. Take note of which approaches you like and dislike, which seem particularly effective, and what you might do similarly or differently as a teacher.
2. Ask your personal violin teachers for advice. Many will offer teaching tips, method book and literature suggestions, and may even guide you towards specific programs.
3. Familiarize yourself with the variety of violin methods and techniques, as well as with influential individuals. For example, be familiar with the Suzuki Method, Samuel Applebaum and his String Builder techniques, and Henry Schradieck's Violin School, among others. Again, take note of similarities and differences.
4. Invest in higher education. In addition to studying with several violin teachers privately, consider earning a college degree in music education and/or violin performance. Also, attend workshops and certification programs.
5. Build your studio. Ask your current violin teacher to start passing or referring students to you. Advertise through local school music programs and music stores.
6. Hold recitals and demonstrations as your studio continues to grow. They are fun for the students and their families, give your students a goal to work towards, and help you monitor student progress and address performance issues.

Tips & Warnings

• Trade ideas with other local music teachers.
• Coordinate duets and small ensembles in which your students can play.
• Consider organizing group lessons, or summer workshops or "day-camps" for students.
• Always have the following information ready: (1) your personal background in violin and teaching, (2) your teaching philosophy, (3) your approach to teaching violin, (4) lesson requirements and policies, (5) lesson durations, (6) lesson costs, (7) lesson location(s), and (8) lesson schedule.
• Should you decide to pursue teaching violin in private, charter or public schools, make sure you are aware of and follow certification and licensure policies.