[Guest Teacher]

Well, I use WhatsApp and FaceTime because I find the time delay annoying on other platforms. I also find using headphones better than speakers. I start with asking the student how they are always, before I give instructions. Lockdown has really worn out a lot of people though it had to be done.

Once I give instructions, I ask what they want to do first…. Sometimes I have to use hand gestures. My camera is ALWAYS on. For children, the parents log on for them and we have a quick chat before the lesson. The most difficult for me is trying to count so the music can flow. That one is tricky because of time delay. One thing I will say is that students are always eager to chat with someone else on the other line, so that’s therapeutic.

I hope this is helpful….

[Guest Teacher]

I find that 45 minute lessons are beneficial for students towards the end of grade 3 and onwards. I find more is accomplished as the pieces get more technically demanding. I also start my students on Hanon or Gunther exercises so this is sufficient time. Additionally my singing students prefer a longer lesson as sometimes warm-ups take 10 minutes. If we’re preparing for a singing exam, Grade 1 students enjoy the longer singing sessions.

[Guest Teacher]

I tested the market on new students first and it was because they couldn’t afford the fee for 45mins a week that they switched to fortnightly, not the length. I had to offer them the lower price of 30mins before they would come weekly. I also increased my prices only to new students and none of them flinched so I can put fees up for the old students too now. I have several old students at higher levels on 45 mins because they want that regardless of cost and one on an hour a week, which is great because it enables me to cover scales, studies, pieces and anything else, which 30mins doesn’t do. But to answer the original question, yes 45 mins works for me and at least I get paid for the extra 15m.

On the whole, the attendance rate is shocking. This is their hobby, so any crisis and I’m at the end of their list. The Chinese students have the highest attendance rate and standards. They take it seriously and really put in the work.

[Guest Teacher]

I tried 45 and 60 mins. To my horror, all the 45s started coming fortnightly instead of weekly as agreed. So I was earning less than before when I offered 30mins. I had to replace 30 min weekly lessons for them and that works but means I need more students which is too stressful for me.
Some actually need 45 and tend to run over 30m for no extra fee. I also tried adults only as I had a lot. Then found I didn’t have enough students and they were constantly last minute cancelling mainly for work. Some paid a cancel fee. Others wouldn’t.
One week 3 of them broke up with their long term partners and gave up as they were depressed.
So back to children too with all its problems. I particularly hate the finger up the nose while playing thing!

[Guest Teacher]

Update on the enquiry above; I have had several more enquiries from this individual and have been able to capture the IP address. This has enabled me to trace the enquiry – it is from an individual based in Lagos, Nigeria. I will look into how we can report this to the authorities.