[Mark Palmer]

I like some of the things I’ve read since I last posted on this thread.

Im always happy to rearrange a lesson(which are all pre paid as they are booked in) if I have the space to do so in the couple of days surrounding the original booking time, its a small mercy and I actually want the student to have their lesson.

Yes, I might of made a loss in some respect regarding the cancelled time slot. Worst case for all, I’m too busy or away and therefore cannot rearrange.

If they normally pay by bank transfer I ask for the next lessons payment assuming they’d like to book the following lesson as confirmation of their intention, or make it clear that ill take payment for the lesson on the day and the following lesson if they wish to book, this is a subtle way of reminding them of my payment policy.

I used to have all sorts of problems years ago, I do not have any problems any longer.

Value your own time and you invite people to do so too. If you don’t value your own time, you invite people to not value it equally.

Its a tough one, and you gotta be brave, you might lose some students…but then did you really want to teach people like that anyway?

These types of people bring alot of stress and discomfort, and they tend to be the kind who wouldn’t indulge it if the shoe was on the other foot with their source of income.

Just my cents worth peace:)

[Mark Palmer]

Hi Wes,

Its always difficult when illness/out of control situations occur and cause cancellations. No one is really to blame, so why should they lose out?

The truth is, and as harsh as it might sound, thats their business. They have made a commitment to booking your time whether they can attend or not, thats your business. You rightly point out by them booking your time it stops others from doing so, plus maybe something else outside of teaching you might of chosen to do if that time wasn’t booked.

I used to have these very same problems before i implemented pay-when-you-book system, if they cant make the lesson you already have the money so you don’t lose out in that moment.

Will this cause you to lose a student even though you’ve been paid? Maybe, its a juggling act; lose a lessons pay or the potential further of successful lessons?

Ask yourself will you rue losing someone who clearly has no understanding/respect for your time? Cutting this kind of attitude out makes way for people with the right attitude, being frank from the get go eliminates the potential for people to object. If you’ve told them your policy(inc. illness)there isn’t much they can say if the situation arises.

I found the more it is indulged (letting people off) the more it will happen, it could be a goto excuse in the future and be abused in the wrong hands.

I hope it works out

[Mark Palmer]

I used to be super chilled about people cancelling lessons i.e. i wouldn’t charge for cancellations at all, people would pay at the end of the lesson etc…. after a few years of teaching i encountered a few of students who seemed take my relaxed approach as a liberty. It seems that by me being super chilled they could be super chilled about too, in other words if i don’t value my time then how can i expect them to? I decided to implement a ‘pay when you book’ policy, with the understanding if they cancelled ahead of time within reason(Them forgetting doesn’t qualify!)I would always try to rearrange the lesson if possible to another day close to their original booking.

What i don’t indulge is someone who sees me on a weekly(or any other variable) recurrence to rearrange the missed lesson to the following week(or variable), that i explain respectfully is missing the point of the policy. I made people aware of this at the first lesson, and i explained v nicely that they were booking my time and that was their commitment to it. The implications of booking my time and not being able to make it for something unforeseen was: It stops other people being in that slot while they’ve booked it(so other people have to wait longer or goto a later slot in following weeks)and i also turn other engagements down(music or otherwise)when they have chosen to book my time. I want the student to have the lesson and for them to not feel like they’re missing out(i do have a <3), thats why i offer the solution of them being being able to rearrange if possible, they hopefully see the goodwill in me doing so, even though i might still miss out if i cant book someone else in the missed time slot booked.

Anyone student who respects this and truly understands, never quibbles and they offer before i have to nicely remind them of the understanding we came to when they began booking my time. Like all things in life there is room for mitigation, if i have a good relationship and their reasons are extraordinary(bereavement etc) i do often waive the lesson to the following recurrence or credit with the lesson i booked, I’m not a faceless business or complete robot, but thats personal to my judgement of the situation at that time.

Just my two cents worth. thanks

[Mark Palmer]

‘So Whats Your Proper Job?’

Ive heard this phrase a number of times over the years. It normally follows my answer to the question what i do for a job/living?

I imagine that a portion of it stems from people assuming rightly or wrongly, its not possible to make a ‘living’ from solely teaching. Interestingly, it often comes from fellow players/muso themselves, maybe its an element of projection on their part?? Personally, Ive never been insulted by it, although i can understand why anyone might be, with all the assumption based in such a question!! Im sure part of it too comes from some people not understanding its value or worth, i could be wrong but other peoples opinion are their business

I have only ever heard this comment from people who don’t really know me or heard me play/teach (stands to reason if they ask what i do for living in the first place?!) Im sure thats true for everyone on this forum too!

All that being said, I do totally understand where Leigh Fuge is coming from, i initially started teaching alongside a part time job that i did 3 days a week. I was lucky enough to make enough either side of the jobs to live modestly on. When the time came I relinquished my ‘real’ jobwhich then opened up more time/commitment to teaching. It turns out it gave me more time to take on new students, plus it made me improve as a teacher. I was able to dedicate myself to honing my craft without any distractions. It was a leap of faith, and as of now it has paying off..

I can understand what Kat Hunter means about certain questions about the standard of decor and living I’m surrounded by. My teaching space is, after 20 years of playing/collecting; well stocked!!!(20 + guitars, amps, drum kits, pianos, PA, bit of a musical magpie >.>. ) For better or worse, when people see this i think people realise its not just a ‘hobby/pastime’ but a genuine passion which has grown into a vocation with a number of arms/facets!!

Id like to point out, that i have worked in sports shop for £2.50 an hour(i am that old!!!), recycling centres chucking paper into a hole every second for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, answering phones for taxi companies…. all sorts before settling into this groove!!

Forgive my wall of text, just my take on a common misconception for the most part.

Peace x