I’ve Been “Fired”

Author: admin

5 May

Aaargghhh…I’m frustrated. The only time I’ve ever lost students was because they moved to a new area. I have now recently had the “pleasant” experience of being “fired.”

I’m not surprissed this happened, but I am incredibly annoyed. This particular student’s mother took 2 months to even buy a piano. For those two months, all I could tell the student was to do the theory homework and try doing some finger exercises on the kitchen table. Of course, this student never progressed. When the mother FINALLY bought a piano, she bought a digital piano, which I specifically asked her not to do. (Side note: How do YOU feel about digital pianos in your students’ homes?) This student missed several lessons because the mother was working and the father didn’t want to drive. Then, the mother asked that I change the lesson time, which I couldn’t do.

Yesterday, she left a message on my phone telling me that she found a teacher who will come to her house at the time she wants, and she is going to try this teacher out for the month of May. (I’m not sure why she is only trying it out for a month, but there is no way I’m letting this child BACK into my studio after the month of May!)

I am upset because now this student and mother will always think I was not a good teacher since I never had a real chance to actually teach him. The new piano teacher will think I was not a good teacher, since the student took lessons for about 4 months, but can’t tell you how long to hold a whole note and has no clue how to hold his hands, sit at a piano, or find high and low keys.

It’s frustrating, but there’s nothing I can really do but move on. Have you had these types of experiences before? How did you get over it?

Filed under: Oy Veh

7 Responses for "I’ve Been “Fired”"

LaDona May 5th, 2009 at 9:58 am 1
Getting “fired” definitely sucks. It hurts. You fear for your reputation and you hate having someone else thinking you can’t teach. I’m sure there isn’t one of us who hasn’t been through this. Because of the personal one-on-one nature of this teaching, remember that not every student-teacher relationship will be a perfect fit. I’ve learned this the hard way, of course, both as a student and as a teacher.

Any decent teacher will realize very quickly the previous teacher is practically never the problem. Throw yourself with renewed energy into the students that you do have. I really hope you’re not out any money because of this – that so frequently compounds the problem – or maybe it’s the root of the problem.

I like your blog. Keep it up!! All the best…..
LaDona May 5th, 2009 at 10:04 am 2
Oops – the side note about digital pianos – I don’t like them and I urge parents not to get them but some do anyway. I could refuse to teach those kids but there always seem to be complicating factors – like I really enjoy the student, or I know the family situation and it might not be possible. I’ve seen some of these students still benefit a lot from piano lessons, even though the piano is not ideal and they don’t end up developing quite the same technique or control.
Avril May 5th, 2009 at 11:25 am 3
Love your blog! I am probably too much on the “soft” side with my student families when it comes to these issues, but it might help to consider where these folks are coming from. I don’t know what their situation is (many of my students are from lower-income backgrounds) but making the decision to begin a long-term financial commitment like piano lessons can be difficult for a family. Buying a piano on top of that can be even more difficult. You probably did your best to make the parents aware of these things before agreeing to teach the student, but from what I can see, the only way to guarantee them buying the instrument is to refuse enrollment until they do. Perhaps they were being too demanding with their schedule requests—without knowing the whole situation I couldn’t say—-but from their perspective, you were making demands as well. In the end, it might come down to asking “how much do I want to keep this student?” In my experience, some parents are always willing to take some extra effort because you’re a great teacher, but some just aren’t. If they do end up leaving, hopefully the spot can be filled by a family who is more committed and appreciates your expertise!
Carly May 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm 4
You can’t let this one student and his mother get to you. But maybe it should make you think more about taking on students who don’t have a piano in their home. Whever anyone approaches me about taking piano lessons, the first thing I always ask is if they have a piano. And if they don’t, I tell them to call me when they get one.

Regarding the digital piano, I’m with you in that I don’t recommend them. No matter how fancy they are, they just don’t compare to a real piano. People have to be willing to make the complete investment in piano lessons, which includes a real piano.
Laura May 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pm 5
Oh, I’m sorry. It never feels good to lose a student for any reason, but it’s especially hard when they decide to leave you. As someone has already mentioned, any decent teacher is going to realize that it wasn’t your fault. Don’t take it too badly. There are lots of other students out there! It sounds to me like you did everything anyone could reasonably expect!

I have taken students who didn’t yet have a piano, but fortunately there were always arrangements made for them to practice somewhere – another family member’s house or a church. I’ve never had that situation turn out well, so I don’t do it any more. If I did, I’d have a clear, written understanding that an instrument would be purchased by a specific deadline. My instrument requirements are also in my policies, and parents must sign a form that says they’ve read and agree to abide by them. If they didn’t meet the deadline, and they wanted to continue studying with me, then I might consider offering them general music instruction, but not piano lessons. Most folks wouldn’t sign up for guitar lessons if they didn’t have access to a guitar. I will teach students who have digital pianos, but they have to meet my criteria – 88 full-sized weighted keys, touch-sensitivity, a damper pedal, and a stand & bench.
Mindy May 6th, 2009 at 9:22 pm 6
In this case, I would say you have not been fired, but have been set free! All the things you listed were hassles. I would not look at this is a negative light. You can learn from this about taking students who do not have a piano at all. I’ve been burned on this, too. I’m pretty sure you did not want this student in your studio.
You will get the hang of it! Keep it up!
I’ve read lots of different opinions on pianos versus keyboards. I’d encourage you to set your own criteria and stick with it. You’ll be much happier. With my students who don’t own a full keyboard (only 1), I keep teaching music that encompasses the entire keyboard, I don’t cater to them. But, like another poster, one of the first questions I ask is if they own a piano. The guitar analogy is good- also kids don’t play soccer without a soccer ball, etc.
Atara May 9th, 2009 at 2:29 pm 7
I don’t look at like you were fired. I’d say more like THEY couldn’t hang.
Everyone has different opinions about the instruments. Like Mindy said, just stick to what you think is important for your studio.
I won’t take them if they don’t have some kind of full-sized digital keyboard with weighted keys.