Music Group Lesson 101 - Planning an Awesome Group Class!

I love doing group lessons with my violin students.  It's such an awesome way to have activities and performance opportunities that are not possible in private lessons.  But how do you get started?  This post addresses some ideas to keep in mind while planning a great group lesson.

What are the advantages of group music lessons?  For the students: performance opportunities, activities and topics that are not done in private lessons, it’s social (motivating!), and it’s super fun.  For the teacher: you can teach more students in less time (give yourself a break, but still be productive and give your students a valuable learning experience!), and you can still get the same income that week as you would by teaching privately (depending on how you decide to charge your students for group lessons, you may even end up making more), it’s fun for you too, and a change of pace from the normal weekly routine.  There are many more, but that’s a good start.  Are you excited now for group lessons??  Keep reading….

How often should group lessons take place?  When my studio is large enough, I like to do group lessons regularly.  I schedule them once a month, usually the last week of the month, instead of the regular private lessons that week.  Attendance at group lessons is required in my studio, but I have also heard of other people still holding regular private lessons that week, and then offering optional group lessons in addition, for an added fee.  You can do what you feel is best for your studio.  If your studio is smaller, you may choose to do group lessons less often, such as when preparing for a recital or special event.  Of course, some teachers offer group lessons only, instead of private lessons, in which case the priorities and format of the lesson may be somewhat different.

Who should come to group lessons?  I think group lessons can be done for any age and skill level of students.  If you have enough students in your studio, I recommend grouping the students by age/skill level and having multiple groups, in order to get the most out of your classes.  At times when I was building up my studio, I have also just held one group lesson with multiple ages and skill levels.  It works fine, but you have more work as a teacher in order to modify activities so all skill levels can participate and learn.

How much should I charge for group lessons?  That’s a good question, and the answer can vary, depending on what works for you.  I personally charge the same for group lessons as I do for private lessons.  So, essentially, each student pays me for the equivalent of four private lessons a month, and they receive three private lessons and one group lesson.  Some students only have 30- or 45-minute private lessons, but they still pay me the same fee for the 60-minute group lesson as they would for a private lesson.  I’m not too worried about the nickels and dimes, and parents tend to view it as getting a great deal, and it adds value to what they are paying for.  You can use this as a selling point.  But if you want, you could charge your students, who have private lessons shorter than your group lessons, a little more for the group lesson.  Honestly, I don’t think this is really necessary, because the group lesson allows you to teach more than one student at a time.  Even if the more beginner students are paying a little less, you will still probably make more as a teacher, because you will only be teaching 60 minutes, but will still get paid by 8 or 10 or however many students, as if they had private lessons.  But do whatever you feel works for you.

How long should a group lesson last?  That depends on what you would like to accomplish, but I feel that 60 minutes tends to be just right for me.  And for the kids’ attention spans.

So what do you do at a group lesson?  Well, that depends on your goals and the needs of your studio and the students in each group class.  There are many ways to do a group class, and I don’t think there’s one right or wrong way.  You could have just a performance/master class for older students, or for all students as you approach a recital.  You can have your students learn group pieces together, such as a fun duet where multiple people are on each part.  You can do something new and different every time, or follow a similar format each time.

My mom is an awesome piano teacher who has taught forever, and she likes to do group lessons in the following format.  I have sort of copied her ideas and do things similarly.  The time allotted can vary, of course, depending on the needs of the students.

• Composer Time:  (20 minutes, give or take).  Review the composer from last month (she asks questions about the composer they studied at the last group lesson, and hands out candy if they answer correctly), then she introduces a new composer.  Usually, she has ten (or fewer for younger students) important facts about the composer that they talk about and she shows them pictures, video, or plays musical excerpts for them. 
• Performances/Group Pieces Rehearsal:  (20 minutes, give or take).  Students who have been assigned will perform their pieces for the group.  She encourages good listening etiquette, and asks the students to give feedback to the performer, such as what things the performer did well.  You can also take time to rehearse any group pieces that everyone is learning together. 
• Theory Game or Other Activity:  (20 minutes, give or take).  Bring music theory to life with games and activities that the kids can do together.  You can have prizes for winners, music-related projects and crafts, and spontaneous composition.  Just make it fun.  Really, anything you can think of!  Here’s an idea for a group music lesson involving found objects for a musical composition.  Hopefully I will get some more ideas up here soon as well, so make sure to subscribe so you can stay posted.

Whatever you decide to do, just remember to make it fun, exciting, and social so the kids will enjoy coming to group class.  Make sure the kids know each others' names so they can be friends.

Well, I think I have covered quite a few questions about group music lessons, but if you find you have more questions, feel free to contact me, or leave a message below.  Thanks!

Music Composition with Found Objects - Group Music Lesson Plan Idea

I was with my 18-month-old at the grocery store, and she is at a super fun age when she loves music, she loves imitating things, and she loves discovering new things. So we're walking into the store, and she suddenly starts singing a high-pitched "eeeeEEE!!!" Then she repeats it a few seconds later on the same pitch, "eeeeEEEEEE!!" She did this about five times before I realized she was copying the beeping of the scanners at the checkout. This made me laugh and I was in awe at how amazing little kids are. They can sometimes notice things that we completely tune out and are not paying attention to.

This then made me think about how music is everywhere. Isn't that how every music appreciation lesson begins? Super cheesy, super cliché, right? But that thought popped into my head, and got me thinking about a lesson plan, which I think could be used in a private or group setting.  We did a similar class like this in one of my classes at Teachers College, and I loved it!  It involves creating musical compositions using found objects.  So much fun for kids (and for me too!).

• Objective: Create and perform musical compositions using found objects. 
• Preparation/Materials: Assign students to bring (or gather yourself) some found objects to use as instruments. Have poster paper and markers available.
  
• Introduction: Play "Water Walk" by John Cage.  Tell students to watch for strange instruments.  Discuss the students' observations.
• Below is a video of Cage performing the piece himself.  The picture quality is low, but the sound is okay.  Start watching at around 5:40.

• I also found this video below, which has better quality picture, but unfortunately the sound has some echo.

• UPDATE 04/26/14: I have since been exposed to some fun, awesome, and upbeat videos of my husband's friend playing popular songs with found objects.  Click here for an updated part 2 of this blog post, with links to these fabulous videos.  SERIOUSLY, GO CHECK THEM OUT.  THEY ARE FANTASTICALLY ACCESSIBLE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES.
• Explain: Explain that music is everywhere and they can make music with the objects they/you brought. 
• Demonstrate: You may choose to demonstrate a composition you have done, especially for very young students. However, it may be appropriate to give little guidance up front, since they already had a demo from Cage. You don't want to stifle their creativity by limiting them with your own composition as an example. Just be aware that some kids may take your example and merely replicate it. Think about your own students and do what's appropriate for them. 
• Application: Allow the students to experiment with their found objects. Instruct them to "compose" a piece by drawing how they want it to sound on their poster. It can be images, words, or abstract shapes or lines. 
• Perform: Each student takes a turn to perform their composition, and/or allow them to play each others' compositions. 
• Discuss: Allow the students to discuss their experience. Guide the discussion as needed. What was difficult? What did they enjoy? How was their overall experience? What did they learn? 
• Conclusion: Remind the students that music is everywhere, just waiting to be created. Challenge them to look/listen for music in unusual, unexpected, or unconventional forms or places. Follow up with students in their individual lessons.

Let me know if you try this with your students.  I want to hear how it goes!  And if you have any questions or comments, please comment below.