[Alan Tang]

I would just say it’s bad timing!!!!
Personally I can see positive and negative points about exam entries. As a teacher, my mentality is that if a student does not know 80% of their scales/ arpeggios and 2 of their 3 pieces by the time I enter them then they are not ready. I currently have a student which has been pushed by his parents to take the exam now. But what they didn’t tell me was the week before the exam he is away on a trip. If I had known about that I would have suggested leaving the exam until Autumn!

However, sometimes there will be always be situations beyond our control! I know I will have prepared this student as best I can so I know I cannot do anymore

[Alan Tang]

It’s important to be honest with the parents. They have to enjoy lessons and practice first. If they are not practicing then why do an exam. Equally, grades are not the end all and be all of learning an instrument. It must not be seen as a task. It needs to start of as enjoyment!

[Alan Tang]

Youtube has been a revelation to some extent for teachers and students alike. I think it has become a valuable resource for teachers and if used well it is an excellent tool.

On the flip side I think that students can learn bad techniques when looking at some videos. Some videos are not filtered enough from a teaching perspective and quite often students may choose the easiest or most attractive video to watch.

[Alan Tang]

Tough question! At the moment I am relying on trust and consistency. If parents are seeing me on a regular basis and offer a degree of flexibility then they will trust me more. I have been quite fortunate so far as I have only had one ‘cancellation’ and they paid straightaway as they acknowledged it is their fault.

At the moment I work on the basis of if I don’t turn up I don’t get paid. Though this is a slight risk, I like to think it gives both parties a chance to be consistent and trusting. I have given two clients a ‘contract’ which states stipulations such as 4 weeks notice, etc but in actual fact, it has so far not been needed.

Ironically enough, the only bad experience was when I just started and I received a text from a student who wanted lessons. NB this was not a referral from MGR!!! I arrived for an initial meet and the following week I taught a lesson. Then he cancelled the second lesson and didn’t respond to my texts for my 3rd and 4th so I just sacked him off. I found him a little irresponsible as he ‘manipulated’ this whole I am a ‘university student’ excuse too far!

All my current clients are working parents so I think they understand the fact that we as teachers need to work as well!

[Alan Tang]

I use the work consultant as I do do some work at schools speaking to music teachers.
Session musician, etc. I don’t like using accompanist but I do get to travel around!