^_^;; I searched the threads and so far, I didn't find a topic regarding this.
I don't mean having the best violin teacher is an assurance you'll learn how to play the violin. Practice and determination definitely helps. I'm a beginner and I would like to know how did you meet your violin teacher. Also, what can you say about his/her teaching technique. Or share a certain experience that might help other PV members.

I'll start with mine. I found him on-line. I thought he offers a competitive rate for a home-service. Well, there's a tricky clause in the contract. But he did gave me a discount in that "fee". Anyway, he's a mute. But he learned how to talk already. I've done my research about him via Google and so far, wala naman lumabas na horror story abt him. We only had 1 session pa lang. Tom, yung 2nd. So I can't say much pa abt his teaching technique. Though lately, he seems like he needs money parati. We agreed on the payment scheme. Then after a few days, he said if I can give a part of the remaining balance kasi kailangan daw ng anak nya sa school. I told him, wala ako mabibigay since naka-plot na yung mga babayarin ko and I was honest in telling him the reason of the 2week interval before I can complete the payment. Just tonight, he said sinugod raw yung anak nya sa hospital. So kung pwede advance daw. I told him I'll just give 1k tom after nya magturo. I just can't help but be concerned if something is happening behind my back or talagang totoo he needs the money for his child.

Your comments will be highly appreciated!

Knowing nothing about your teacher, it's really hard to say anything.

But... Ewww...

From experience, madalas na style na yung "kailangan ng anak ko para sa _______." A professional should always follow what was previously agreed upon. I hope he is worth it and his credentials are solid for it to be worth all the hassle.

Mahirap magsalita kasi di ko personally kilala yung teacher mo. Sa mga nasabi mo na, eto lang ang naiisip ko.
Either totoong nangangalaingan ng pang paospital, lalo na kung buhay ng anak niya ang pinaguusapan dito, understandable na iset aside niya ang professional ethics niya. Kung tutuusin, tinaya na rin niya ang credibility niya dito bilang isang teacher.
I mean, kung nanloloko lang siya at nalaman mo ang racket niya, di syempre, sira na kaagad ang reputasyon niya. Alam naman natin na kay hirap magbuo ng reputation at kay bilis nitong sirain.

Para sa peace of mind mo, I would suggest na magtanong tanong ka muna sa kanya, like, anong nangyari sa anak niya? May sakit ba? Anong gamot ang pinaiinom, sino ang doctor na humawak...siguro naman mavi vibe mo na kung nag sasabi siya ng totoo, or nang raracket lang.

Pagisipan mo ng mabuti kung gusto mo ng ganyang klase ng teacher.

Also, di ko isusugest ang home service, kasi magpapasok ka ng di mo kakilala, paano kung biglang naglaho at paid in full ka na? maliban na nga lang kung kakilala siya sana ng pamilya o friends mo.
EDIT: Alam na niya kung saan ka nakatira, mayamaya tinitik tikan na yang bahay ninyo... better to be safe than sorry.

Nagtiwala ako sa aking teacher, dahil sa first meeting pa lang namin, tinugtog na niya ung "storm" ni vivaldi sa akin, iyun ang nagbigay ng assurance sa akin na mayroon ako matututunan sa kanya.

Ang style niya ay magbibigay ng lesson, iyun ang pa practicin ko araw araw :D

i agree with T@l Blaiser

I personally went to the stores in the malls that offer violin lessons. yupangco, lyric etc.. and compared the prices. eventually ended up enrolling at lyric where i also bought my violin and sila na naghanap ng teacher for the preferred time i wanted. it took maybe a week for them to find one, sometimes kasi wala na slot, it could be teacher availability or room availability. and up to now sya pa rin teacher ko.

Medyo nakakakaba nga yang, MM. =/ Honestly, I am floored at how "comfortable" he was in borrowing money from his student.

^Nasabi na ni T@l ang pinaka-importanteng punto dito. Unless kasi na reputable talaga ang teacher at marami nang nag-attest sa professionalism at napatunayang harmless talaga, saka lang ako papayag na mag home tutoring. Medyo harsh 'to pero I'll have to suggest na mag consider ka na ring maghanap ng ibang teacher. Yung gut feel mo kasi mismo ang magsasabi sa iyo kung okey ka pa diyan, kasi hindi namin talaga siya kilala. But personally, something IS wrong about that.

Thank you guys for your comments. I'm so glad there's a site like this.
I wanted to share lang din may experience kasi baka someone here has encountered this teacher. Skills-wise, I feel he's legit. He has hand-outs and he can play the violin. But of course, since I'm a beginner and I have a limited way of telling skills din.

He wanted lang i-advance ko yung part ng payment and I understand din naman kung para sa anak nya talaga yun. I asked him some questions too when we met last weekend. I didn't hesitate to ask him a lot of questions and pinaikot-ikot ko rin yung mga tanong just so I can get more details. I made him feel but in a nice way that I want to know.

It's such a big risk din talaga to do home-service. However, there are some factors I considered kaya lumabas pa rin na mas maganda home-service for me. But I've to agree what T@l Blaiser said, mas mataas yung risk. Ayun, nag-iingat na lang din talaga ako/kame.

Kaya what I do is pinapakilala ko sya sa mga guard namin and I always tell him to wait for me there bago sya pumunta sa place namin. Also, I ask my brother/friends to hang-out sa place namin kahit na nasa room lang sila na malapit sa amin. Ayun, buti nakakaya nila makinig sa sangkatutak na twinkle,twinkle little star na renditions. XD

Again, thank you guys. Wish me luck. *goes on playing twinkle, twinkle little star for the nth time*

@ Maiden.Michiru: nothing beats home service, maganda talaga ito, ako rin nag papa home service sa mga carpenters, pedicure, electric technicians, cook etc... pero magkakilala na kami simula bata pa ako... kahit kakilala na nga eh, nangtatangay pa rin paminsan minsan he he he.

Pero mukhang okay naman siya at mapapagkatiwalaan mo so yes, maganda na nag umpisa na rin kayo ng "Twinkle, Twinkle", suzuki ba gamit ninyo? Most likely, panay bowing intonation and counting/rhythm muna kayo.

Best wishes on your studies and God bless. Kaya mo iyan!

So far, medyo improve na si twinkle2 lil star. Pero medyo sumasabit minsan ang bow ko pagka kinakabahan. I'm learning You Raise Me Up this time. :D

Good news.

"You raise me up" ito ba *** kinanta ni Josh Groban?