Student Services

Q. Why should I look for a teacher who is an ESTA member?

Q. How do I approach a possible teacher? How do I know if they will suit me?

Q. How else can I find a teacher?

• All approaches involve some risk. Anyone can advertise as a teacher - they don't have to be even competent, let alone qualified, and some people who know how to play don't know how to teach. You have to use common sense to ensure you are getting what you want, and be very particular how much money you part with at a time. If they won't give you a Consultation Lesson, worry about their standards.
• Besides personal recommendation, some teachers advertise in local music shops or even Yellow Pages or similar. Some local music shops and music studios offer a convenient service, but reportedly the results are not always good, you may not be able to build an individual relationship with your teacher, and the shop or studio is always taking its own cut.
• Sometimes the Borough or County Music Service which provides lessons to schools will also accept children or adults for private lessons.
• Otherwise you can try the Web. Both Violin And Viola and Langstaffe Violins have British-based lists of string teachers. String teachers, among others, can be registered by the Incorporated Society of Musicians and you could also try http://www.musicteachers.co.uk/. Although the Musicians Union has a Teacher's Register, curiously it is not accessible to the public looking for teachers.