Why I Follow a Routine During a Music Lesson

Since I started teaching privately in 2018, I place greater importance on following a routine when I teach. I am not sure if all music teachers out there follow a routine because every teacher teaches differently, partly shaped by how we were taught. 

What does an hour of piano or violin lesson look like? Let me break it down:

1st 10-15 minutes: music theory; this includes correcting and clarifying any questions from the homework that is due, explaining the new concept and having the student complete a few questions. I will be able to answer any questions and give immediate feedback if the student is struggling on a particular question(s). 

Next 5-10 Minutes: student will play scales to constantly ensure their posture and hand position is secure (this applies to many beginning and intermediate students)

Next 10 Minutes: finger/technique exercises; this can be either Beyer, Hanon or Czerny depending on the student’s level

By now, the student will be warmed up and ready to play the major pieces that he or she is working on, whether it’s for general learning, examination or competition. Depending on what the pieces are for and the stage of the piece being worked on, I will dedicate most of the remaining time to help the student master the pieces. Sometimes, I will go very in depth on the piece, making sure each nuance is played. But sometimes, I will introduce the general structure and the “big ideas” before going in depth. 

Last, I will spend the remaining 5 minutes going over the homework due for next week’s lesson, which includes music theory and the major points being talked about during the lesson. I also ensure that my students are able to ask questions and share any feedback or reflection based on what was learned during the lesson. 

I would also like to bring up one small but important detail: all students are required to prepare a notebook when they come for lessons. This is not just for me to record the homework and details of the lesson so that students can refer when they go back home (and potentially, for the parents to refer to), but also for me to keep track of the student’s progress. 

This simple, yet organized routine enables the student to be comfortable. They will know what to expect so they can present the best of themselves during the lesson.