Quick Questions: Why is It so Difficult to Get a Music Lesson?

While learning a new instrument is a difficult and involved process on its own, trying to secure one of Amherst’s free music lessons can be even more challenging. Last week, I interviewed Janice Murphy, the music lessons coordinator, to answer the question: Why is it so difficult to get a music lesson at Amherst?

In the past few years, the Music Lessons Program has undergone several changes in organizational structure and policy. The music lessons coordinator position did not exist until recently, and Murphy is the first to hold this position. Only four years ago, students had to pay a fee of $775 to take music lessons at Amherst. The college now covers that cost in order to allow students to take a music lesson free of charge, as long as the lesson is taken for credit.

Murphy oversees 22 different studios and nearly 30 instructors, with lessons including harp, voice, piano, guitar, and clarinet (taught by Murphy herself). The most popular music lessons are piano and guitar, making them the most difficult lessons to get into. The least popular Amherst music lessons are for the oboe — if you are interested in taking oboe lessons, the department would love to have you!

Murphy described the high demand for music lessons as “the most wonderful problem to have.” The difficulty of getting a music lesson boils down to a lack of resources. According to Murphy, “We have a limited budget and we have limited space.” Murphy estimated that around 300 students apply for music lessons every semester, but there are only around 200 available spots.  “I wish we had a much bigger building to accommodate more instructors; I wish we had a group piano studio,” Murphy said. Unfortunately, the budget cannot accommodate the amount of students interested in taking music lessons and the practice rooms in Arms cannot accommodate 300 students for weekly lessons and practice sessions.

So, what can you do if you want to take music lessons? First, familiarize yourself with the process and rules of taking music lessons. While there are no prerequisites, there are tangible ways to increase your likelihood of successfully enrolling in a music lesson. For example, taking any class in the Music Department increases your chances. And if you still find yourself unlucky, Murphy suggests trying other musical offerings.

“There are other music classes that everyone could take,” Murphy said. “If you're a beginner and you don't read music, you'd be better off taking Music-111, because that'll prepare you better for lessons.” Notably, there are five different 100-level music courses (including MUSI-111) that could serve as your point of entry into the Amherst music department.

You can reach Murphy by email (jmurphy@amherst.edu) if you have additional questions or concerns about taking a music lesson.