You can avoid most problems simply by being clear about your policies!

If you work for a local music store, there may already be a student policy in place, which can help you. However, most teachers need to make these decisions for themselves. Writing out your policies and having them on hand to give to potentials students is a great idea.

After quite a few years of teaching, I now devote a good part of the first lesson I have with a student (and parents) to talking about my policies. I have them sign a copy of my lesson policy sheet and I keep it on file. I make sure they are clear about attendance, cancellations, and what happens if they forget or skip lessons.

Your time, your teaching, and your preparation is valuable. Be clear on your policies, and you and your students will have a more enjoyable experience.

3) Choose your piano curriculum. (And don't forget the fun!)

So many piano course materials and methods are available, even in my small town! Don't simply default to what you learned with -- explore the diversity of piano methods out there today. Many websites have reviewed different piano methods. You can go to a local music store and play through some of the songs!

Decide whether you'll use traditional piano methods (books in music stores) or alternative methods (Simply Music, Suzuki). Choose your favorite books for additional repertoire, and expand your own practicing to include different styles.

Many times, one of the first questions you'll be asked is which curriculum you use. Doing the research to find methods and teaching materials you really love gives you another opportunity to talk with conviction and confidence about yourself and your studio.

4. Check out your location options.

Will you teach out of a music store? Your living room? A rented space?

Teaching out of your house, or a local music store, can be wonderful if you want to keep your overhead low. Music stores have the additional value of doing much of your promotion for you -- they usually have a steady stream of people calling, ready to take lessons. They've got advertising all over and have an established presence in the community.

You'll also have easy access to books, metronomes, and other teaching materials.

Most music stores either rent the teaching space to you for a modest hourly fee, or require a certain percentage of each lesson fee collected. Either way, it's much less than you'd spend to start your own studio, rent a space, and pay utilities.

Teaching at home is another option -- and can be really convenient, since there's no traveling and the students come to you! But you'll need to make sure you've got adequate parking, neighbors who won't mind the extra traffic, and a nice, dedicated space to teach from.

Renting a space, while expensive, has it's own advantages. Having a dedicated studio conveys professionalism, and you can choose a good location for drive-by traffic and walk-in inquiries.

5) Practice, practice, practice.

So there you are, chatting with a new acquaintance at a dinner party, and you're asked what you do. "I teach piano!" you respond, enthusiastically. Suddenly, you're being begged to entertain, to play something on that piano in the corner that you hadn't even noticed.

It's happened to me more times than I can count! And it's a great opportunity for self-promotion (and to hand out the stash of business cards in your wallet). But what happens if you've got nothing you can play without music in front of you?

You lose the chance to win some students!

So, practice. Practice a lot, and build up a good repertoire of tunes of different styles. Memorize them. You'll have them at your disposal whenever you're asked to play!

Teaching piano is a rewarding career and with these tips you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful piano teacher!

Kimberly Luker is a studio owner, piano and flute teacher, and webmaster of You Can Play Piano! - a friendly, informative site full of resources to get you playing piano and loving it. She believes that everyone is deeply and naturally musical -- including you!

Visit today and get tips and information to help you learn, practice, play, and perform! You can play piano!