If you are a Durham University student looking for piano lessons or flute lessons in Durham, a trial music lesson is a great opportunity to meet a prospective teacher, experience their teaching style and decide whether you feel you could work well together.
But once the trial lesson is over, what happens next?
You do not need to make an immediate decision. In fact, taking a little time to think can be a very sensible part of choosing the right music teacher.
Do I Have to Decide During the Trial Lesson?
No, absolutely not!
Sometimes you will leave a trial lesson knowing immediately that you would like to continue with that teacher. If so, it is perfectly fine to ask whether they have a place available for you.
You might simply say:
“I really enjoyed the lesson. I’d be interested in continuing. Do you currently have space for me?”
However, you may prefer to go away and think about it.
In fact, when I finish a trial lesson with a prospective piano or flute student, I don't usually ask them to sign up for regular lessons there and then. I don't want anyone to feel pressured into making a decision.
Instead, I might say something like:
“Try out these new techniques over the coming week and see how you get on.”
I deliberately leave things open so that students have time to reflect on the lesson, experiment with what they've learnt and consider their next step.
Perhaps you are considering more than one piano teacher or flute teacher in Durham and have arranged trial lessons with several people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. In fact, I think it's a very sensible approach.
Choosing a music teacher is a personal decision, and it is important that you find someone whose approach, personality and teaching style suit you.
A good student-teacher relationship can make an enormous difference to your confidence, progress and enjoyment of playing.
So please don't mistake a teacher's relaxed approach at the end of a trial lesson for a lack of interest in teaching you. They may simply be giving you the space to make your own decision.
Give Yourself Time to Think
After your trial lesson, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Did you feel comfortable asking questions?
- Did the teacher listen to what you wanted from your lessons?
- Did their explanations make sense to you?
- Did you leave with something useful that you could apply immediately to your playing?
- Most importantly, could you imagine enjoying regular lessons with this person?
A music teacher may have excellent qualifications and experience, but you also need to feel that you can communicate well and work together.
Always Follow Up After Your Trial Lesson
Whether you decide to continue or not, I recommend following up with your prospective teacher within a couple of days.
A trial lesson may be relatively short, but your teacher has still set aside time for you and shared their experience and expertise. Even if your trial lesson was offered free of charge, your teacher's time and expertise are valuable.
A simple thank-you email is both courteous and professional.
If you would like to continue, you might write:
“Thank you very much for the trial lesson. I really enjoyed meeting you and found the lesson very helpful. I would love to continue studying with you if you have a place available.”
If you are still considering your options, you could say:
“Thank you very much for the trial lesson. I found it really helpful. I am having a couple of trial lessons before making my decision, so I would like a little time to think, but I will get back to you shortly.”
If you decide that another teacher is a better fit, that is fine too.
You could simply write:
“Thank you very much for your time and for the helpful trial lesson. I have decided to study with another teacher, but I really appreciated meeting you and learning from you.”
Don’t Be Tempted to Disappear!
Sometimes students feel embarrassed about telling a teacher that they have decided not to continue.
There really is no need.
Music teachers understand that not every student and teacher will be the right match.
It is much better to bring your enquiry to a clear conclusion than simply not reply.
You also never know what might happen in the future. Your circumstances may change, your existing teacher may move away, or you may decide later that you would like to contact that teacher again.
Leaving things on a warm and professional note keeps that door open.
Choosing the Right Music Teacher in Durham
If you are studying at Durham University, you may already have plenty to juggle: lectures, assignments, ensembles, societies, performances and social commitments.
Your music lessons should support you rather than add another source of pressure.
Whether you are looking for a Durham piano teacher, Durham flute teacher or music tutor for Durham University students, use your trial lesson to find out more than simply whether the teacher can help you play your instrument.
You are also discovering whether this is somebody who can help you become a more confident, independent and thoughtful musician.
Looking for Piano or Flute Lessons in Durham?
I teach piano and flute students from Durham University who are approximately Grade 6 level and above, including students preparing for advanced repertoire, performances, auditions and diploma-level work.
My lessons focus on helping students understand what they are doing, develop clear and effective practice strategies and become increasingly confident and independent in their playing.
If you are considering piano lessons or flute lessons in Durham, you are very welcome to get in touch to enquire about a trial lesson.
And remember: the trial lesson is not an audition.
It is simply an opportunity for both of us to discover whether we might work well together.