When I first started teaching, my performance schedule took a severe hit, mostly due to time constraints. I was simply too busy and too tired after a week of teaching to go out and play on the weekends. Slowly, I’ve built my performance schedule back up, and now I’m playing almost every weekend again. I’d forgotten how much fun performing is and how happy I am doing it. If you think you don’t have the time or the energy to maintain an active performance schedule, consider the following benefits of performing:
1. It adds to your credibility.
Parents frequently ask me “do you play out?” It’s as though they’re testing to see if I’m an actual musician or just some elaborate and expensive babysitter. For the most part, they have a point. You can’t really consider yourself a professional musician if you never create music in some sort of public setting.
2. It provides an additional income stream (most of the time).
It’s great to know that when little Timmy forgets his lesson check, I’ll get another check that evening for a gig. Granted, the gig check doesn’t solve the problem of Timmy paying on time, but it does provide a nice buffer just the same. Also, don’t forget the more you diversify your income streams, the less likely you’ll be in trouble when one dries up. I know not every performance opportunity pays, but if you perform enough, you’ll find plenty that do (then you can start saying “no” to the ones that don’t).
3. It’s great networking.
By playing in bands or ensembles, you’ll meet fellow musicians, some of whom will undoubtedly be music teachers themselves. The benefit of meeting other teachers deserves a whole article itself, but in short, you’ll have more people to draw on for resources and referrals.
4. It’s socializing with adults.
The average age of my students is probably 10, so at the end of a teaching day I’m ready to hang out with people who understand three-syllable words. Teaching is also primarily a solitary profession, and most of us probably don’t have too many co-workers, at least in the traditional sense. Performing (and rehearsing) is a great way to do something you love (music) with people of your own age and ability level.
5. It’s a reason to keep your chops up.
When I first started teaching, I increased my practice time considerably, thinking I really needed to hone my skills for teaching. It only took me about a month to realize I didn’t have to be a virtuoso to teach 6 year-olds how to play quarter notes on the snare drum. Since my students don’t provide me with motivation to practice, I draw that motivation from performing and playing in bands.
6. It’s free advertising.
When you perform, you never know who is in the audience. You could be playing for your next new student (whom you just inspired), or you could be playing for a parent who’s been thinking about lessons for their child. The more people see you as a local professional musician, the more they’ll think about taking lessons from you.
7. It’s fun!
This one is rather self-explanatory, but most of us probably got into music because we enjoyed playing. If it’s been a while since you’ve performed, get back out there and see how much fun it is!
Your Turn
Are you performing as much as you’d like? What are some other benefits you receive from performing? Leave your answers in the comments below.
I began as a performer years before I ever thought of becoming a voice teacher. It was my ability to impress people with my singing that enabled me to start a vocal studio without a degree in music. As I have continued to teach (over 20 years) both professional and amateur adults and kids I find that my performing feeds my teaching and vice versa. There’s nothing like being able to share with a student the experience of enduring an eight show Broadway schedule or the valuable lessons learned in a failed audition (we all have them). And my students have brought an enormous amount to my teaching. They have taught me patience, balance and understanding and I always love coming back to the studio.
This was a great post. Performing also excited students. For some reason they think their teacher is “cool” for performing. I know my kids LOVE to come see me play. And being in the performing arena I can always recommend great concerts for my students to go and see – which are very inspirational for them.
Agreed. I remember seeing an old teacher of mine get up and give a ringing performance of a difficult aria just out of the blue. All of his students paid even more attention to him after seeing that.
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