Help a new student prepare for a trial lesson

Explain which students you teach

Name the instruments you teach and put the ages and experience levels beside each one. Say whether you welcome complete beginners, returning players or students preparing particular pieces. Replace broad labels such as “all abilities” with an explanation of what you can help someone work on.

If different teachers handle different instruments or levels, make that choice clear before the request. Give someone who is undecided a way to describe their interest without choosing a course. For a child, explain how a parent can ask whether the lessons suit their age and experience. Keep the answer about your teaching rather than promising a particular rate of progress.

Walk through the trial lesson

Describe the first meeting in order: talking about the student’s interests, finding out what they have tried and spending time with the instrument. Say whether a beginner will try a short activity and whether an experienced player should prepare something. Use the lesson you actually offer as the description.

Give the trial’s length and explain how much time to allow for questions afterward. Put its price, or a clear statement that it is free, before the request. Include where it takes place and how the time is agreed. A receipt for an inquiry should not imply that the requested slot is already booked.

Put instruments and parents in the preparation notes

Say whether students should bring their own instrument and what is available at the studio. Make the answer specific to each instrument. Explain how someone without one can ask about trying a lesson before buying or borrowing anything. List any music or other materials they should bring, and say when none are needed.

For a child’s lesson, explain whether a parent stays in the room, waits nearby or returns at the end. Describe where to wait and when there will be time to speak with the teacher. Put arrival and entrance details beside these notes so the family can prepare for the whole visit.

Explain how a trial becomes a weekly lesson

Say what you discuss after the trial: whether the lessons feel suitable, what the student wants to learn and which regular times are available. Explain whether the trial time could become the weekly slot or whether you choose another time together.

Before asking for a commitment, show the regular lesson length, price and payment arrangement. Explain how missed lessons and schedule changes are handled. Say what instrument access the student will need between lessons and how to discuss it. Finish with how you agree on a weekly time and confirm the first regular date, leaving room for the student to decide.