What Happens During a Trial Lesson

First, I would like to give a disclaimer. When I first started teaching privately after coming back to Singapore, that is, when I just started working at my full-time job, I did not mandate incoming students to have a trial lesson with me. This is for both piano and violin. At that time, I just thought, I’ll observe and get to know the student along the way. 

However, after setting up my music studio just a few months ago and having my website publicized, I started receiving enquiries from parents and/or independent students of all ages and levels. With this, I made them aware that one of the studio policies is that students who learn at my studio will need to commit and pay termly. This is an investment for parents but one of the reasons I have this policy in place is because I am looking for sincere and long-term commitment students. As my husband also observed, we decided to mandate trial lessons. 

As I’m writing now, I have had a few trial lessons at my studio already. These are not just for the students and if any, accompanying parents to assess whether my pedagogical approach makes sense to them and a layer of chemistry is seen, but also for me to observe the student’s current level of piano or violin playing, strengths and weaknesses and potential. With this, I am able to assess the resources required for the student and develop short and long term goals before the student starts his or her first lesson. 

I would like to emphasize that every student will have different short and long term goals. Through a trial lesson, whether it is 30, 45 or 60 minutes, I am able to grasp a quick bird’s eye view of the student’s situation and tailor my teaching to the student’s learning style and needs. 

If you are interested in arranging a trial lesson at the studio, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Nancy.