The Horse goes rogue! It's about time!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (225410)
Walnut Creek, California
August 21, 2022 12:11pm CST
In previous posts, I have mentioned how Guitar Center failed to accommodate the needs of at least one of my students. Her name is Anabella, and I am teaching her guitar and piano.
Her father got angry and cancelled her lessons at Guitar Center. The new "Lessons Lead" hassled him about payment. But he (the father) also got my information and contacted me about what had happened.
Yesterday morning, I gave Anabella her first lesson with Guitar Center out of the picture. We held the lesson at her daddy's office, which is only about a mile from my house. I charged them $5 less than Guitar Center charged them. But Guitar Center keeps half of my earnings. So, basically, my student's parents pay less and I make more.
More importantly, we had a great time. The child sang "Country Roads," by John Denver, all they way through. She had taken what I taught her, and then watched YouTube videos about the song.
I showed her the chords to the "hard part," and we made great progress.
Then we turned to piano. She's only eight, but I have taught her the beginning to Bach's Minuet in G on piano.
I will attach a photo of my student and myself after one of our "Showcases" at Guitar Center. She is a fearless performer (so long as I am by her side, her dad said) and is really motivated.
One of my long-term "semi-retirement" goals is to have my own studio and teach music with Big Corporate not involved. Perhaps this is my first step.
19 people like this
18 responses
@kobesbuddy (78856)
• East Tawas, Michigan
21 Aug 22
She is smiling ear to ear, behind that mask! Teaching children music is a blessing, straight from God! Every child should be given the opportunity to learn how to read music:) My mother forced me to join Beginner Band. I was afraid, but soon learned how to follow the instructor's orders. He was an austere man, who didn't actually like kids. Mr. R. had only one goal, to teach music and so, he did. Did I learn? Yes, I certainly did.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (225410)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Aug 22
@kobesbuddy I quit piano lessons at age nine, when my parents hooked me up with an older lady who was WAY too serious. But I never stopped improvising on the piano we had in our living room. I took lessons again in college.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78856)
• East Tawas, Michigan
21 Aug 22
@TheHorse And generating their OWN music, that's another branch off the mainstream of music. At home, I played by ear constantly. I was warned against this, yet did it anyway. I find a lot of pleasure is producing sound, that's pleasing to my own ears!
2 people like this
@celticeagle (173165)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Aug 22
I hope this is the first step. From your last few posts, I get the impression Guitar Center is beginning to get to you.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (173165)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Aug 22
@TheHorse .......As it should be of course. Hope you don't have any more weird experiences with your "lead".
2 people like this
@TheHorse (225410)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Aug 22
@celticeagle Today I ha six students scheduled, and six students showed up. No calamities.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47686)
• India
23 Aug 22
You have a nice "semi-retirement" goal. It is a good deed on your part to teach Guitar to Anabella.
Enjoy your day!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47686)
• India
23 Aug 22
@TheHorse
Good for you!
Some extra money and more experience in teaching young kids !
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (47686)
• India
24 Aug 22
@TheHorse
So you have quite a close relationship with this family.
Some interesting details about them.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (76891)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Aug 22
Everyone starts somewhere. And, if you want to start, this seems like a good place. build your client base.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (76891)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Aug 22
@TheHorse I hope it works out, then. If you can get a good customer base, that would be a god start.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (114537)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Aug 22
Glad you are teaching her again. She is cute.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83906)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Aug 22
Good for you and glad you could teach her privately, Sounds like she is a very promising student,
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (123666)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 Aug 22
It’s nice that you took that small first step. Build up a clientele based on word of mouth and referrals and you’ll meet your goals before you know it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (123666)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Aug 22
@TheHorse It’ll be a nice “semi-retirement “ job for you, where you can work at your own pace.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186650)
• United States
22 Aug 22
I would love to see you with your own studio; but I would also like to see you do counseling.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (225410)
• Walnut Creek, California
23 Aug 22
I am a tad cycnical about child counseling because child therapists get to see their clients once a week. Hiking with kids for three hours DID make a difference for them, I'm convinced. As a teacher/psychologist I get to work with my kids almost every day. I become a father figure to them. I think I have more of an impact that way.
1 person likes this
@58lordstreet (1668)
•
22 Aug 22
good to pass on your skills - I dont have any ;-) tried the guitar once but my fingers were a bit bendy to stay on the strings once I got to something more complicated
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43324)
• United States
21 Aug 22
That sounds like an ideal future career for you!
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56469)
• Philippines
26 Aug 22
Anabella is a lovely girl. She would be a great musician someday. That's what am hoping with your tutorship in music.
