So often, I get emails and messages on my machine that begin with something like, "I have some questions about lessons." Great! Then the next sentence is, "What are your rates?" And that's it. Is that the "questions about the lessons"? Am I supposed to guess what the real questions are? Am I supposed to spend a lengthy amount of time selling myself to someone who didn't even read the ad or my website, which would clearly answer that question?
Of course, questions like, "what are your rates" and "where are you located" are valid, but if those are your top two criteria, I can tell you that music lessons aren't for you. Someone who is first and foremost trying to invest as little as possible in music study is not going to get much out of it. Music is fun and rewarding but it isn't "easy".
Before you start shopping around, you should consider what kind of music you are interested in studying. Think about whether you would prioritize learning by ear or being able to read music. Do you value being able to play/sing classical music, or do you want to work on popular music exclusively? Are you looking for a new teacher for your bored teenager who is unhappy with their current lessons? Are you concerned about being a late beginner? Did you love your last teacher but have to change due to their moving away and you are concerned about being forced to change your technique? Finding the right fit with those concerns needs to be your #1 priority -- if you can't work toward a common goal with a qualified teacher with whom you are comfortable, free lessons in your own living room would be a waste!
You need to know, of course, how much time you can afford to spend getting to and from your lessons and what neighborhoods you are willing to travel to. You need to know what you can afford financially. It's very frustrating to begin lessons, love them, and then realize you can't continue due to logistics or finances. But rather than looking for the cheapest, closest teacher who is still acceptable, you're going to get a far better experience by finding the best fit who remains within your limits.
