Piano lessons contract

There are so many scary words in that title. Policy, contract, statement all seem to be very severe words. Music is so personal but these words seem so impersonal. Music beings warmth and happiness, but those words seem cold and harsh.

In our educational profession, teachers would like to be as nurturing as possible however, this often means we get taken advantage of. It amazes me the students and parents I've taught who attempt to take advantage of the dear old piano teacher - not showing up for lessons, never reimbursing for purchased music books, stealing music, the list goes on! Of all the people in the world who deserve to be "screwed", piano teachers are not them.

So how do you avoid this mess? You need a Studio Policy.

And it doesn't have to be polite.

It doesn't have to be rude either, but it must be assertive. I have needed to create a thorough studio policy, partly because of my age. In my late-20's, it is difficult to be taken seriously, I am often asked what my "real job" is, if I would accept a delayed payment, or if I can bend the rules for a particular circumstance. While there are always exceptions to every rule, I have become very unapologetic and created my studio policy to solve problems before they arise. If you can think of a problem, it is likely to happen and it needs to be curtailed within a studio policy These documents should be well-structured, clear, and concise. This is not the time to be creative, sweet, and nurturing.

Your studio policy must lay out your expectations of students and parents, must explain what your role is as the teacher, and must include some format of fee structure. In total, my studio policy is 3 pages long and includes six subheadings:

1. Curriculum, Lessons, Performances
2. Missed and Rescheduled Lessons
3. Student Responsibilities
4. Parent Responsibilities
5. Your Piano
6. Registration and Tuition

In order for registration in my studio to be complete, this policy must be read, signed, accompanied by 10 post-dated cheques to secure a time spot for lessons the following year.

Your policy should be updated yearly with increases in fees, the number of lessons taught per year, new contact information, and lesson etiquette. As the world becomes faster-paced, more impatient, less committed and more demanding, this year's additions have reflected some frustrating circumstances I've come across. Generally, I am emphasizing the commitment I expect from my students and what the result will be if this commitment is not honoured. Although these sections are much longer than what is written below, here are some of my highlights and changes for the 2014 - 2015 year.

Missed and Rescheduled Lessons:

Missed lessons are forfeited and no make-up lessons will be provided. The teacher is not obligated to reschedule or refund lessons if there have been cancellations due to events such as illness, vacations, parties, sports events, etc.

Lessons may only be rescheduled in the event that another student’s cancellation leaves a suitable open time.

Your Piano:

A 41-60 key electric keyboard is not adequate for any level of piano study and an 88-key digital piano (with pedal) is adequate for only the first two years of beginner-level study.

Once the RCM Grade 1 level has been reached, it is highly recommended that an investment in an acoustic piano be made. Students at the Grade 9, 10, and ARCT level are recommended to purchase a grand piano

Parent Responsibilities:

Parents are encouraged to physically sit with their child during practice to ensure effective, focused practice is taking place. Parents are also encouraged to write down questions which arise from practice to ask at the next lesson.

Remember that piano is a significant commitment, and consider this when signing your child up for other extracurricular activities. Over-scheduled children find very little success in piano lessons and typically drop out within the first two years.

Parents must remember that music is a life-long pursuit and it may take students upwards of 10 years to play fluently.

Student Responsbilities:

Students are ready to attend lessons when they are well-rested, are well-fed, have used the washroom, cleaned their hands, found a positive attitude, and are prepared to focus

Practicing at home is critical for success in music, and should not be considered optional. Although practice is essentially repetition, a thorough practice is only complete only when all pieces have been played multiple times, when special attention has been given to trouble spots, and when consideration has been given to what has been written by the teacher in the student’s notebook.

You should also unhesitatingly include a chart of suggested practice times. Also I realize that thorough practice is completed at different rates, but students do not do well with abstract concepts. Although this a rather "barbaric" way to look at practice, it gives students a starting point and an approximate idea of what is expected.

Suggested Practice Times

· Beginners: 15 – 20 minutes, 5 times per week

· Grades 1 to 4: 30 – 45 minutes, 5 times per week

· Grades 5 and 6: 45 – 60 minutes, 6 times per week

· Grades 7 and 8: 60 – 90 minutes, daily

· Grades 9, 10: 90 – 100 minutes, daily

· ARCT and above: 120 minutes, daily