Hi Nadine! I still use the Mayron Cole method because it’s really tailored well to group learning, and my kids enjoy the games that come with it. I like the progression of concepts, with emphasizing rhythm first, however – it is lacking in theory and technique. I supplement with different books of exercises and scales to make up for that.

I took a class from a middle school in Wisconsin that they offered about teaching to groups. It was offered through the school and geared towards band teachers. It was actually necessary for me to get an education certification to teach at the public school there, but we moved and I never pursued the certification. Since I teach out of a home studio now, I took a number of webinars from the group method I use mostly for my own personal benefit and so that I would feel qualified. The method I use is Mayron Cole: http://www.mcpiano.com/ She provides a great DVD about opening your own group studio, and then a number of specific webinars you can purchase and watch on You Tube that were extremely helpful.

The group classes aren’t for everyone–there are definitely students who do better in the one-on-one setting and even though there are resources to teach advanced students to learn through group classes, my personal belief is that late intermediate to advanced students should be in private lessons. My group students are all beginners and do very well with the group setting–they are motivated by working with their peers and have developed amazing rhythm skills (better than my private lesson students). When I feel like one student is having trouble with a piece and needs individual attention, I’ll have the other students work on theory worksheets for a few minutes while I help him. For the most part, though, I teach to the group.

I charge $20 for a private half hour lesson and $15 for a 45 minute group lesson.

Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

How do parents deal with a group lesson format, where their child may not get as much individual attention as a private one-on-one lesson? You said you charged less, but if it was my child, the price would need to be substantially less in a group setting.

Thanks,
Dan