But HOW do I "take music lessons like a grownup"?

Here at Between The Lines Music School, we've decided to adopt the slogan "Take Music Lessons Like a Grownup!" But what does that mean? How does a person take lessons like a grownup, and how do we change our teaching style to meet the needs of an adult student?

So how is it different when you take lessons as an adult, instead of as a kid?

Well, first of all, you're taking lessons because you want to, not because your mom or dad told you to. One of the joys of teaching adults is knowing that they actually want to be there! Adult students also tend to have more specific goals in mind when they start taking lessons.

On the other hand, adults tend to get frustrated faster when their progress isn't as swift as they feel it should be. They don't remember how long it took to learn how to read, or do math, or any of the brand new skills they learned as kids. Learning music is like learning a new language, and although it's definitely possible, it will take time and patience.

How does Between the Lines focus on those differences?

We chose to have our school downtown, in part, to make sure that adults would feel comfortable there. There's no waiting in a reception area filled with grade-schoolers. Not to say that we don't welcome kids - we do! But having our office space downtown makes it easier for adult students to make lessons work with their schedules: Have a lesson at lunchtime, or after work - you can walk from the office or take the Max to our door!

We also use methods that move along quickly enough to make you feel like you're making progress... and we're always willing to help you work specifically towards your goals - breaking down a step-by-step plan to learn all those Eagles tunes or understand how to read a lead sheet or translate your songwriting/composition ideas into sheet music that any musician will be impressed by... and it'll sound just the way you imagine!

We've found that adult students don't just want to be told how to play, but also why it works that way. Children are used to the "trust me, I'm the teacher - do it now, and you'll understand it later." Adults, on the contrary, like to understand the logic, the physics, and the psychology of why we're asking you to do things the way we do, and the order in which we ask you to do them. Our teachers are capable of (and happy to) explain our methods and what we're working to accomplish with each task. We've developed our techniques over many years of teaching and learning about music pedagogy, and we're thrilled to have someone to discuss it with!

So how should I prepare?

If you're about to start taking music lessons for the first time as an adult, (or if you're coming back to taking lessons after a long 'hiatus'), you can prepare by asking your teacher if there are any materials you should purchase before the first lesson (many "method books" favored by our teachers are available on Amazon Prime; we can often recommend one, or we may choose to wait until after your first lesson). Make sure you have a place where you can practice, and that you own or are renting the instrument you're learning (that sounds obvious, but believe me, there are lots of piano students who ask me if they need to have a piano). 

Most of all, though, bring an open mind and a willingness to try new things. Be willing to commit for a couple of months at least, and try to be patient. Practice giving yourself "positive self-talk" - not everything that's worthwhile comes quickly, and it's much harder to learn new things when you're your own worst critic!

We at Between the Lines Music School are always happy to welcome new students, of any age, but getting to teach an enthusiastic adult student is a special treat, all the sweeter for being comparatively rare!