The Piano Shop
Choosing a Music School in Phnom Penh is not easy – these are our 5 tips to make your choice an easy one! By SoundsKool Music Cambodia.
Like most things in life, you may want make sure you get good value for your hard-earned cash! Would you buy a cheap pair of shoes for$10 that come apart every 2 months or a pair of good shoes that lasts for 2 years and costs $50?
Learning music is much the same. There is no point in paying someone to teach you guitar or piano the wrong way. A ‘teacher’ with no qualifications or whose level is not high enough may actually cost you more! Good music schools choose their teachers wisely and often have curriculums and teaching templates already in place. Yes, you may pay a higher hourly rate but you will learn faster and better!
1. Management
The best music schools in Phnom Penh are those that care about the quality of the teaching. To run a music school is not easy – it takes a strong team and leadership. So the best schools are those with years of experience in administration, music retail, performance and achievement. Often in fact, managers in good schools tend to have degrees in music from respected International universities.
2. Music School Investment
Because equipment is expensive (pianos, guitars, accessories, books and materials) a large investment is normally required. Also, great teachers and management don’t come cheap. Location and Interior is also a consideration because a good location gives better access to students but usually cost more in rent. Also quality, bright and airy decorations means kids and teachers feel comfortable and this in turn enhances learning.
3. Activities and drop-out Record
It’s very important that students participate in activities when they learn. Check that the school offers performances, tests, exams and side classes such as theory and group lessons. Learning must be fun or else your kids won’t enjoy it much and risk getting bored. Also, some schools are very good at signing up a lot of new students but often have many students dropping out at the end of term. Look out for that as it may be a sign of issues with teaching.
4. Achieving success
Are talent and attitude important factors for learning music? Sure it is. But talent can be instilled and attitude can be changed. It’s all in the teaching. If your child is having fun whilst learning then that’s already great! Kids that have fun are easier to teach than those not having a great time. Students must become independent and establish a personal relationship with music and with the teacher. If your once-shy kid can get on stage and perform in front of hundreds of people even a simple composition then it’s already an achievement!
5. Details
Great music academies (such as the Royal College of Music in London or the Juilliard in New York) have powerful administrations and need to be super organized. Check that your school has visible communication such as notice boards, Facebook pages and websites. Also, check that they have an email-newsletter and that staff have uniforms, name cards or name tags. Clear pricing and fees should be immediately visible for lessons, books and instruments. These are signs that management has invested time and money for purpose of administrating the school.
