Adding a Lab to Your Lessons #1 – Why?

This is the first in a series of articles written by Leila Viss that will focus on adding a new technological addition to your teaching studio. The series will attempt to answer questions of those who have never considered this format before. The articles will also include ideas for those who already successfully use technology to enhance daily teaching. Questions, comments and suggestions in the comments section are greatly appreciated!

“Why NOT Add a Lab to Your Lesson?” 

Fact: Our studios are filled with Millennials–the generation known for their social networking, a cell phone nearby at all times, body piercing, tattoos, global awareness, fascination with video games and comfort with modern technology. (See the American Music Teacher Magazine’s Feb/Mar 2012 issue for an informative article by Courtney Crappell discussing these unique characteristics.)

Fact: Many schools have or will have iPads assigned to each student to use on a regular basis besides an ample supply of computers, online textbooks, etc.

Fact: Technology continues to drive the direction of our society and learning styles. It is here to stay, Why NOT embrace it in your daily teaching?

What IS a “Lab”?

When working towards my Masters Degree 20 years ago, I visited many successful piano studios of local teachers. The studio that intrigued me the most was one that scheduled lessons at the piano along with tutorial lessons on the computer. When setting up my first in-home studio, I eagerly borrowed this lesson and lab format.

Clarification: I do NOT have a large classroom with many keyboards and computers. I teach two students at a time, one is with me at the piano, one is working on a “lab” assignment at the computer in the same room.

Disclaimer: Although I am an avid consumer of technology, I am NOT an expert.

Again, WHY?

Since your roster is most likely filled with students and perhaps adults who use technology on a regular basis, it could be a terrific way to invigorate and perhaps reinvent your studio. The benefits include:

1) More Income: The suggested charge for a lab with a lesson is your present 30-min lesson rate plus 1/3 to 1/2 of that. As the table below shows, this hourly rate can substantially increase your income, which in turn can support more advances in technology.

Within in One Hour Tuition Per Hour Per Day
Two 30-min Lessons $20 per lesson $40 5 Hours x $40 = $200
Two 30-min Lesson + 30-min Lab $30 per lesson+lab $60 5 Hours x $60 = $300

 

2) More Students: Students who notice that you are willing to meet them where they are at (tech savvy–at least to a certain extent) will be attracted to your studio which can increase the number on your wait list.

3) More Time: Of all the benefits, this one is the biggest bonus in my opinion. There is more time for:

  • Student Creativity: Often this gets placed on the back burner so that the essentials can be addressed during a lesson. With lab time, there is so much more opportunity for creative assignments–more ideas to come in future articles.
  • Teacher Creativity: The fact that weekly lab activities must be planned for every student continues to provide variety in instruction, there is never a dull moment–again, more to come.
  • Dimension: Learning styles vary and so will your versatility with the addition of lab assignments away from the bench.
  • Relationships: Sharing a lesson time with another student fosters piano peers which is unique as playing the piano can often be a “lonely” activity.

4) More Progress: With more time, teacher and students can build a relationship of trust within an environment of fun which enhances learning and progress results. I have no scientific proof of this but believe it is true from my personal experience.

How Can This Be MARKETED?

You will need a list of convincing arguments to use when marketing this new lesson format to parents and potential new families. Here are some to consider…

1) The child will receive twice as much time with you than before but the parent will be paying less than twice the price.

2) If a child seems apprehensive about learning the piano, seeing that other tools and “toys” are involved may lure him/her to the keys.

3) For those who enroll siblings, the convenience factor is huge. Parents receive a two-for-one drop-off!

4) The benefits listed above provide even more marketing material–More time for Creativity, Dimension, Relationships, which I believe results in more progress.

How Will Current Students REACT?

1) Perhaps the most difficult part of initiating a new lesson format and tuition rate would be informing those who are currently enrolled in your studio. It will be an adjustment and you may lose some students.  However, today’s parents recognize that technology is an essential part of school curriculums and most will be enthusiastic that you echo the use of those same tools in your studio.

2) Lab sessions are required for all my K-12 students although lesson formats vary with age and skill level. Enforce that same policy in your studio, get everyone on board. More about scheduling next time.

3) Communication of this new format will be crucial and nothing demonstrates your tech savvy, 21st-century studio  better than a fine website. Promoting the fact that you offer technology-enhanced learning will set you apart from the rest when potential families are searching the web for a piano teacher. In turn, this may strike pride in your current families and they will happily refer your name to others because their piano teacher is up on current trends, offers a lab with a lesson and a hosts a terrific website.

What are the DRAWBACKS to this new format?

1) You will need to develop strong skills in multi-tasking with two students requiring your attention. Usually, I walk through the computer assignment with both first. As I get one up and running with the correct software program or website and headphones, I ask the other to play through one of his/her assigned pieces.

2) Technology can be flakey. You will need to trouble shoot and prepare to have plan B in place–more ideas in future articles.

Where Do I BEGIN?

If this “lab-plus-a-lesson” idea has grabbed your attention, I highly recommend the book Studio Makeover: Technology Addition. This manual will be your best friend and hold your hand during the many steps I have briefly mentioned above. Note: It even includes a sample letter to send your parents announcing your exciting new venture. You are not alone, there are plenty of resources to make this a reality in your studio and I am willing to help however  I can.  Be sure to subscribe to the email newsletter to get updates on new articles:

Adding a Lab to Your Lessons #2 – If Yes, Then What?

Adding a Lab to Your Lessons #3- More Advice

Adding a Lab to Your Lessons #4 – Making the Assignments Work


Leila Viss owns an independent piano studio which features a tech-savvy lab. She seeks to create innovative teaching methods and successful practice strategies to encourage the average player of any age to stick to the bench for life. She holds a Masters Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Denver and has presented at local, state and national conferences. She adjudicates at local, state, regional and national piano and composition competitions. She serves on the Keys to Imagination Advisory Board and holds a full-time church organist/pianist position.  Leila posts regularly on the MusicTeachersHelper blog.  Visit her studio website.

19 thoughts on “Adding a Lab to Your Lessons #1 – Why?”

  1. Great article! Including a lab with my lessons was one of the best tips I received from a friend when I relocated and started up my studio in a new area. Your comment about needing a quick backup plan when “technology is flaky” is so true.

  2. Families pay a higher rate to have private lessons for their children. In my studio policy and in fact, our state association’s sample studio policy all stated that the lesson alone with student to promote focus. How do you deal with the “no privacy” and “no distraction” ? I understand the lab kid will be using a headphone, but in my experience, there will always be questions and distraction.

    The idea of a lesson + lab sounds great. As I mentioned in your facebook comment, I did not have a successful experience, even selling this idea to family with siblings taking lessons. I wonder about those who don’t even know each other. How will they feel about having “non private” lesson by paying a private lesson fee?

  3. I’d like to add that I experimented it with overlapping for 15 minutes only so at the the student gets 15 minutes of private time. However, this didn’t work well either. Some issues with my area is that kids are very overbooked. They simply cannot afford one hour lesson time if it’s given to them for free. I’d be interested in reading about all the success stories.

  4. Hi Lydia,
    You bring up very valid points, thank you. I do not promise “no distractions” in my studio policy but do offer private lessons for those who’s repertoire demand more time. I consider the student at the computer “in need of attention” and not a distraction. My lab is in the same room as the piano so my eyes are always on both students. All of my pianists–home-schooled or not–are used to sharing time with other students and work well on their own with direction. I approach every lesson with a sense of purpose, fun and enthusiasm for each student that walks in the door. Both students feel important and both appreciate each other. In fact, if one is missing, the other student feels a little “lonely”. If privacy is so important to you and your present students, it may be too hard to adjust. If you are interested in pursuing the lab + lesson, perhaps offer a discounted lesson rate but add a lab fee so that parents respect and anticipate the new format of “semi-private + lab”. You may need to “grandfather-in” present students if you feel you might lose them and wish to keep them. My goal is to build independent pianists who will enjoy music at the bench for a lifetime. If your studio slants towards contests and competitions…you may find the lab setting too “recreational “for your purposes. However, I believe you can build strong players with both a lab and a lesson if you are willing to remain flexible.

  5. I have a computer lab in my studio but I cannot find a “table” ideally suited for the job. However, the picture you display in this article is PERFECT. Where did you find this table and what was it’s cost. Sorry to ask a question secondary to your article; but having a good set up in very important in making a computer lab functional to the students, and therefore successful.

  6. Cool post. I have a technology lab in my studio, but haven’t thought about teaching two students at once. I’d love to see a list of your “can’t live without” software, websites, tools for the lab.
    -Beth

  7. Dan, I don’t consider that a secondary question at all, setup can be pretty important to making this work. I had the same thought. I am also hoping that software/hardware suggestions will be forthcoming in future articles.

  8. I am a big believer in utilizing music technology, specifically software programs that are music theory related, in music education. I have been using computers in my own teaching since the days of DOS-based note reading games! My home studio included a lab with one computer. In 2008 I opened a community music school and we have there a wonderful lab complete with all the latest software, trained lab assistants and a level based curriculum. Many of our teachers at the school now require lab of their students because they have seen the benefits!

  9. Hello All,

    It is so fun to share in this discussion as it sounds as if you all enjoy the lab just as much as the lesson as I do! Yes, software and hardware will be discussed next article. The table you see in the picture was made lovingly by my Dad. However, I JUST reopened my studio after a major remodel and a very nice craftsman built a special “drawer” for the MIDI keyboard beneath a laminate counter top I had placed across one wall of my studio. Here’s my website with a post showing the pics. I can get the details on how the MIDI drawer was made, don’t think it was too tricky. http://88pianokeys.me/2012/04/09/grand-re-opening-of-the-viss-piano-studio/. I will include the link in my next blog as well. Please continue to ask questions as I can imagine I’ll miss something!

  10. Thanks Leila for the suggestions and ideas. I understand that students need attention while using the lab, but it’s a distraction to the student who’s having lesson. As a teacher I’d want to give attentions to both. I think I’ll chat with some parents about the privacy.

    I think my students’ families have more state of the art gadgets than I do. Will they want to pay for using my computer? They can also afford to buy software. Many apps on iphone too.

    I like how Wendy assigns web assignment. I don’t know if she has her students work on them at the studio.

    I experimented with only a 15-min lab time which probably makes the pickup/drop off for sibling pairs difficult. But, I think 30 min lab time is too long. I’ve had parents against the use of computer/games though educational at all. It’s hard to believe that I am in the heart of technology to hear that. Could you describe what you have them do during the 30 minutes lab time? My students are from 6 to 14 years old mostly, beginners to intermediate levels.

  11. Stay tuned–many of your questions will be addressed in upcoming articles. Thirty minutes flies by if you keep students occupied.

  12. What do you charge your students who are currently coming for a 45 minute lesson once you tag on the 15 minute lab time? Also, if I have a 1 hour student, do you charge the same rate and just give them a 15 minute lab time as part of the 60 minutes? The one-hour student would LOVE lab time!!!

  13. I notice you have a Mac in your photo. Most of the websites you list as resources require flash and Apple doesn’t have flash. How do you get around that? Thanks!

  14. Sorry to be such a bother again, but you’ve really got me thinking about the lab thing! So, if I add computer and keyboard to my lab, do I want a midi controller or a midi keyboard? Which do you recommend and how many keys would you recommend? I’m limited on space.

  15. Hi Lorie–in response to what I charge for lessons:
    30/30 lesson with lab is $30
    45/15 lesson with lab is $45
    60 min lesson is $50.
    I would definitely charge for ANY lab time you offer.
    If the 60-min lesson student would like a lab, I might charge $7-10 more per lesson depending upon how independent the student is. The price break on the lab would be generous as the lesson is quite a bit of an expense already.

  16. Hi again, Lorie,
    I would recommend a MIDI keyboard over a MIDI controller. If budget is an issue, a smaller MIDI compatible keyboard (one with MIDI PORTS) should suffice. Look for a keyboard with the best touch possible–if not weighted keys, at least a graded hammer action. If you can spend a little more, then a MIDI compatible keyboard preferably with 76-88 WEIGHTED keys would be ideal.

    In general, if your goal is simply to input answers into a computer, you can consider a keyboard with less than 88 keys and may not be concerned about key weight. However, in programs where students will be playing with notation on a screen (like Home Concert Extreme) the students will appreciate 88 weighted keys (it won’t feel like a toy).
    As far as cables, the type you will need is dependent upon the keyboard purchased.
    Keep asking!

  17. Hi Lorie,
    About the Mac issue: my desktop and lap top handle the sites fine, however, the iPad does not.
    It’s an Apple thing, of course. Hopefully, they will come around soon.

  18. Thanks, Leila! I do have a very nice Roland RM 700 with a monitor for use with Home Concert (which I was introduced to way back in 2000), not sure if I have room for another 88 key – wish I did, though!!! The hunt for a smaller midi keyboard is on! Love your ideas and the advice! Thanks!

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