am very new to english forum. I live in zurich area for past 6 moths and really love it. I decided to start giving private piano lesons form home. Does anybody know if I need to be registered somewhere and if there is something like swiss music authority..etc... it would really help.
I would be very gratefull for any information...
Thank you
Katarina
Welcome to the Forum and good luck with the music!
I`m pretty sure you should be registered to be teaching here but there are plenty of people on this forum who will be able to clarify it.
Cheers,
Basher
thank you for your post...
I work as a teacher anyway so it is extra piano teaching ...
hope I can get some Info
I had to ask my landlords who initially said no, but after another letter from my Swiss wife they relented and said that I could teach guitar on a limited basis as long as the neighbours didn't complain.
Of course, you could start without either of these requirements, but I really don't think it's worth it, considering how strongly Switzerland feels about Schwarzarbeit.
This also means you will probably charge more than if you were doing it all illegally, but I think it's so much better for everything to be above board.
Katarina - could you perhaps post a new Introduction without asking questions about lessons etc. and then you'll get the welcomes you are entitled to.
When I started teaching here privately I asked an established piano teacher for help and she said you don't need a qualification or to be registered and in 30 years nobody asked for her certificate.
With regards to giving grades, are you referring to the UK equivalent of ABRSM? Like Grade 1 to 8?? As far as I am aware, most European countries dont practice this, definitely not widely in Switzerland but there is a minority who choose to down that route simply because they like to have something tangible to work towards in the very near future.
Of course you have to be reasonably qualified to teach - you cant teach advanced level students if you are also just advanced yourself. Or you cant teach beginners if you only had a few years of music playing behind you. You need to be advanced to teach a beginner the basics to make sure that they start off their musical journey with a strong foundation and know when its time for them to progress. You also do need to be well informed of the various teaching methods out there in order to know what works best for each individual student - especially beginners. Different strokes for different folks. Having said that, qualifications isnt everything. From my own experience, there are students with PhDs in Music and other equally impressive CVs but are terrible teachers.
At the end of the day, personally, it all boils down to your passion, ability to motivate the student constructively, communicate effectively and your interest in the long term development and nurturing of the student, rather than just earning money off them. Good luck.
Most recently I had a new student start who had already been learning for a year in America but could not name a single note, despite having worked through most of a book. It's too easy to always show a student what to do instead of giving them the strategies to be able to work it out for themselves.
I use the gradings as a guide for students but don't think they are particularly necessary for becoming a good player/musician. Instead I have regular recitals for my students and make sure I incorporate theory and aural training into my lessons.
Good luck with your teaching.