This video may be a chunky one, but it is the most important one in all of Music Lessons Australia’s training. So to get started, let’s understand what trial lessons are and their significance. Trial lessons serve as the introduction to a potential new student. Every student coming to Music Lessons Australia undergoes a trial lesson to meet their potential teacher.

Pro Tip: Trial lessons are incredibly important. They are your chance to make a lasting impression and potentially gain a new student. Remember, first impressions matter, and trial lessons set the tone for your teaching relationship.

Once a new trial student is assigned to you, we add the trial lesson to your Teachworks calendar and send you a text notification. It’s crucial to check the trial lesson details on your Teachworks calendar immediately to ensure you can make the lesson. The details will include the lesson time, date, address, and any relevant student information.

Pro Tip: Prepare for trial lessons by reviewing beginner workbooks in the Dropbox and printing materials and worksheets of various difficulties and genres. If your student is a beginner student, we will post them a beginner workbook to have ready for their trial lesson. If your trial lesson is with a student with prior music experience, they will typically come to you with past songs that are working in progress and other materials to utilise.

Before your first trial lesson, we’ll send you your MLA Lanyard Passport. It’s essential to wear your lanyard to every lesson. This small detail holds importance in establishing your identity as an MLA teacher. Now, What is the difference between Music Lessons Australia & any other music school? The difference is in our lessons and our teachers. Our lessons are different because we offer modern music lessons for modern students! And because you, our teachers, are handpicked as a great addition to our teaching team because you can deliver on that quote. You were specially chosen to join our team because of your three P’s. Your professionalism, personality and promise!

What are your three P’s exactly?

We find that teachers who consistently showcase their 3 P’s keep their students the longest, and find more fulfilment in their teaching career.

Your professionalism is demonstrated to your students when you are reliable, punctual and helpful in addressing their needs and concerns.

Your Personality is your number 1 tool for securing music lessons in the long run, after all, when a student enrols into lessons for the long run, they are enrolling to learn under your guidance. Your thoughtfulness, passion for music and education and friendly nature will keep your students engaged and excited to continue learning music! Aim to build a rapport with your students and their families. One parent referred to me as a surrogate family member after a few terms of practice because we have made such a deep relationship in our weekly lessons!

Lastly, there’s promise. The promise is the end result of what will come after taking lessons under your guidance. There is always an underlying reason why students start learning an instrument. It is your duty to find out their goals, ambitions and their “WHY” for pursuing music, and help them to achieve that goal. People do not just enrol their children into music lessons for the extracurricular activity, they are enrolling for the outcome, the dream to hear their children play their favourite songs on the piano, or to see their child explore their creativity and build their confidence. People are looking to you to find that feeling, they are not looking to you to simply provide the lessons. We need to remind them of their why, and promise them that with time, effort and consistency that they can achieve it. Preparing a performance piece is also a good idea, as some parents and students may ask you to play for them. But don’t you worry. Parents and students will be impressed with anything you play.

Part 2: Attending the trial.

When you arrive at the student’s home, introduce yourself as the music teacher and ask if you need to take your shoes off at the door. Its a small gesture to show your respect and professionalism. You are entering someone else’s home after all.

Introduce yourself to the parents and the students. Get to know the reason why the parents are starting music lessons. What are their goals and intentions for learning music? This information is important for the end of the trial lesson. Once you’ve made all of your introductions and have sat down with your student, feel free to get to know your student. Ask them about their musical background, other hobbies, interests and what they can see themselves playing in the future.

Lastly, aim to finish the lesson with your student being able to show off one thing they learnt from the lesson – whether it is a quick and easy song, or something they can be proud of. Bring the parents into the room to show off what they’ve learnt! If this is not possible, perform for the parents and students. This is the reminder of why they wanted to start lessons and where their practice and commitment can take them in the long term. Remember what I said at the beginning of this training video? Your trial lesson is a chance to gain a new student. So part three, or “securing your student” at the end of your trial lesson, is the most critical part.

People make their decisions emotionally. Parents are investing in music lessons for the outcome, the end result that music lessons will give them! So it is important to understand why they are doing music in the first place so we can better understand their promise and how to achieve their goals. People want to see their children be confident with a creative skill, they want to see their children grow up to be like yourself! In university with an amazing skill that takes them to amazing places. They want to hear their favourite songs being performed by their children. They are looking to you to give them that feeling. And you very well can! That is your promise to them.

Theres only three steps you need to remember to do at the end of a trial lesson to ensure your students will choose you as their music teacher.

Find out about your student. Ask them why they are taking music lessons? What are they hoping to achieve from their music lessons?

Explain to them how learning with you will get them to that goal. Reinstate what they are asking for, and give them a plan or direction to how they can get there! You can give them your personal background/experience to show them how you got to where you are.

Guide them to enrol. Ask them to complete the short survey at the end of the lesson. And if all is good, they will be directed to the enrolment page so they can book in their future lessons with you.

Final Notes: Teacher Expectations: A trial lesson is your chance to meet a new ongoing student. Generally, trial lessons are scheduled at a time that is ideal for the student to continue every week. So if you have an issue with the trial lesson time, it is best to address your concerns early!

In summary, the difference at Music Lessons Australia is in our commitment to modern lessons and our exceptional teachers like you. Your professionalism, personality, and promise are key to keeping students engaged and achieving their musical goals. Remember to prepare for trial lessons, make a positive first impression, and guide students towards enrolment.

Most importantly, have fun with it all! I know that sounds lame, but it’s true! Remember why you became a music teacher in the first place? You came to do what you love and inspire people to do the same (and get paid well for it 😉 ) So with all that said i wish you the best of luck in your trial lessons and we look forward to seeing you successfully win new students!