Beginning here, beginning now. (Independent Music Teachers Forum).

Try something with me. Sit down at a table or at your computer with your studio swap list. Ask yourself the following questions:

1) Am I teaching too many hours ... (to live, to sleep, to want to go on teaching)?

2) Am I earning as much income as I would like ... (to live, to sleep, to want to go on teaching)?

3) Are my students progressing as rapidly as I would like?

4) Is their music instruction as important to them as I would like?

For the vast majority of professional studio music teachers, the answer to the first question would be yes, if it weren't for the answer to the second question being no. This is the defining issue in our profession. How can we, in all good conscience, encourage our motivated and talented students to even consider a career in music if we do not have enough pride in what we do to charge a respectable hourly rate?

I was one of millions of high school students who was advised not to go into music because it was very difficult to make a living. Independent studio teaching was not an available career option. Apparently, no one had ever thought of advocating this as a viable professional occupation. Well, the times they are a changin', and we're still stuck singin' the same song.