Group piano lessons are a fantastic addition to your studio.

Not only do they bring a “social” element to piano lessons, but they also allow students to perform in an ensemble and enjoy making music together.

(And let’s not forget those happy students bring in extra income. Parents will be thrilled with the “extras” you offer and they’re more than likely to tell their friends!)

But how do you add group lessons to your studio?

How do you market them so your students will jump at the chance to attend?

And how do you know if you’re doing things right?

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. Offer Group Lessons As Make-Up Lessons
2. Offer Group Lessons As “Bonus” Features
3. Offer Group Lessons Instead Of Private Lessons
4. Okay, So How Do I Market Group Lessons?
5. Will Group Lessons Help Me Get My Teaching Mojo Back?
6. But What If I Do Things Wrong?
7. Feel Like You Need More Help With Group Lessons?

Offer Group Lessons As Make-Up Lessons

This is a pretty easy way to add group lessons to your studio.

Once or twice a term or semester, hold a group lesson for anyone who missed their own lesson.

Students can play games as well as perform for one another. Parents will feel like they’ve got their money’s worth and your students will love it!

“But what do I do in group lessons?”

Check out this blog for tips and suggestions.

“But would I have to host different group lessons for certain ages and abilities?” Not necessarily!

Click here for Ideas For Teaching A Multi-Age Group Piano Lesson

Click here to listen to Dorla Aparicio talking with Tim about How Multi-Level Group Teaching Works

Offer Group Lessons As “Bonus” Features

Once or twice a semester or term, invite ALL your students to a group lesson.

Make sure you have a fun theme, games, and maybe even a little craft.

If you’re feeling generous, you could even offer pizza and turn it into a pizza piano party!

“This sounds expensive. How do I pay for it?”

Good question! Many teachers include the cost in their registration fee. Others charge a small fee for students to attend.

“I’ve never hosted a group lesson before. What sort of things should I expect?”

Another good question! We’ll let Marie Lee (group teaching expert) answer it in the blog How To Teach A Group Piano Class.

Offer Group Lessons Instead Of Private Lessons

Yup, you read that right.

“But how would I even do that?!”

Marie Lee lived by these five tips when she converted from private lessons to group lessons:

1. Systemize
2. Be flexible and relax
3. Hire it out
4. Hold your ground
5. Listen and move more

Intrigued by what she means by all these? Click here to read more.

“But can you still focus on individual students?”

Melanie Bowes chats to Tim about that very subject in this podcast! Listen to her tips on how to manage individual learning in group lessons.

Okay, So How Do I Market Group Lessons?

If you’re introducing group lessons to your studio for the very first time, it can be daunting knowing how to market them to your existing students.

The key is presenting them with solutions.

How often do you hear these comments from parents?

• “We’re all so busy, it’s getting tricky bringing him over for his 30-minute piano lesson.”
• “She’s just not practicing enough to warrant spending out on lessons”
• “Sorry for missing the last two lessons, we’ve just been so busy”
• “Could you tell him he needs to practice more at home?”

If you present your group lessons as a solution to these problems, parents will jump at the chance to sign up.

• “Group lessons are an hour long.” This gives parents the chance to run an errand or two. It could even give them chance to drop a sibling off at another club and be back in time to pick up the student from your house. Convenience sells.
• “Group lessons are multi-age and multi-level.” Siblings can attend the same group class, meaning parents don’t have to drop off, pick up, drop off, and pick up multiple times. Again, convenience sells.
• “There are five group lessons a week. We’ll schedule your child on the same day each week but if you need to change the day at any time, just let me know.” Flexibility sells.
• “Students will have the opportunity to perform to each other on a weekly basis, showcasing what they’ve been working on.” This will encourage students to practice because they don’t want to be shown up in front of their peers. Parents will know this. Motivation sells.

For more advice on marketing group lessons (and also determining whether group lessons are the right fit for you) listen to this podcast.

Will Group Lessons Help Me Get My Teaching Mojo Back?

There are times in every music teacher’s career when they feel tired.

They start doubting whether they made the right decision. They feel they’re spending every minute of every day either thinking about teaching, or teaching. They want their time back.

Group lessons have helped so many teachers get their teaching mojo back and fall in love with teaching again.

Read Janna Carlson’s story about how she revitalized her studio with group piano teaching.

And listen to Christina Whitlock reflecting on how group lessons have given her her time back.

But What If I Do Things Wrong?

Making mistakes is how we learn (I’m sure you’ve told your students that once or twice!)

But it always helps to research and have a solid idea before you start something, which is why we have some excellent tips and advice from group teaching experts:

Mistakes To Avoid When You Start Group Teaching

Always good to learn from other people’s mistakes!

5 Secret Ingredients To Successful Group Piano Teaching

Having these tips in your toolbox will set you in good stead!

Group Teaching Q&A

Listen to three group teaching experts discuss their experiences and advice.

A Chat with Mayron Cole, Pioneer of Group Teaching

When Mayron Cole started offering group lessons there was no one else doing it. Listen as she shares her story of learning on the job!

How group lessons can transform your studio with Paul Myatt & Gillian Erskine

Listen to Paul Myatt and Gillian Erskine as they talk to Tim about the group lessons they offer in their piano academies.

Feel Like You Need More Help With Group Lessons?

We get it. Jumping into group lessons can feel scary.

But we’re here to help!

TopMusicPro has a whole bunch of resources, courses, webinars, teaching demos, and lesson plans to help you introduce group teaching into your studio.