What Students Really Want From a Music Teacher in St. Louis: Lessons From 50+ Reviews

By Brian Lee Bauer, MT-BC | Mimic Music Services | Affton, Missouri

After years of teaching music, I’ve learned that students rarely remember every exercise, scale, or practice assignment.

They remember how their lessons made them feel.

They remember the teacher who was patient when something wasn’t clicking. The first song they could play all the way through. The concert they were nervous about but finished anyway. The moment they realized, Wait, I can actually do this.

When I looked back through more than 50 five-star reviews from Mimic Music students and families, a few themes kept showing up again and again. And interestingly, they had a lot less to do with playing perfectly than you might expect.

1. Students Want a Teacher Who Understands How They Learn

Every student walks into a music lesson differently.

Some want detailed instructions. Some learn best by listening and copying. Some need to move around, ask 12 questions, take a break, or try something several different ways before it finally clicks.

For parents, especially those whose children have attention differences, anxiety, shyness, or other individual learning needs, finding an instructor willing to adapt can make a huge difference.

One parent shared:

“Our son has ADHD and really struggles with sustaining his attention and with impulse control, and we worried that this would be a major barrier for him in taking piano lessons. But Brian is incredibly patient and makes each lesson fun and engaging, and our son looks forward to his lessons each week.”

Another parent wrote:

“My daughter began ukulele lessons a little over 6 months ago and even though she tends to be shy, Brian has been able to connect with her. He consistently encourages and challenges her. She loves her ukulele lessons!”– Cait B.

Students make more progress when they feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying again. That means the lesson sometimes needs to change because the student in front of you matters more than the lesson plan.

2. Students Want Lessons Built Around Their Goals

There is no single definition of success in music.

One student may want to learn a favorite song. Another wants to perform at a recital. Someone else may want to understand music theory, write original music, or finally learn the instrument that has been sitting in the corner of the house for three years.

Those goals matter.

“He is curious about your unique goals and abilities and works that knowledge into each lesson.”– David I.

Another student explained:

“He asks me what my own annual goals are and prioritizes those.”– Matthew J.

At Mimic Music, we set goals with our students rather than simply handing everyone the same curriculum.

There are important fundamentals to learn, of course. But students are much more likely to stay engaged when they understand why they are learning something and can connect it to the music they actually want to play.

Your lesson. Your goals. Your music. I’m just here to help you get there.

3. Students Want to Know They’re Making Progress

Learning an instrument can be humbling.

One week everything clicks. The next week, one chord seems personally determined to ruin your day.

That’s normal.

Progress in music usually happens through dozens of small wins: changing chords a little faster, playing a song without stopping, understanding a rhythm that used to feel impossible, or realizing you no longer need to think about something that once required all of your concentration.

One longtime banjo student wrote:

“I couldn’t be happier with Brian’s teaching; he’s encouraging, he pushes me to challenge myself and he helps me understand concepts about music theory that make me feel like a better, more well-rounded musician.”– Carrie W.

Good lessons should challenge you, but they should also help you recognize how far you’ve come.

That is why goal setting and progress tracking are an important part of the Mimic Music approach.

Practice feels a lot more worthwhile when you know what you're working toward.

4. Adults Want Music Lessons That Fit Real Life

Music lessons aren't only for kids.

Some of my favorite students started later in life.

“I'm a 59-year-old guy who's been taking banjo lessons with Brian for a year now! It's been a great experience every single lesson. We have fun. He's continuously encouraging.”– Don B.

Another student simply put it:

“I'm an over 65 student and having a great time.”– Henry B.

Adult students often come to lessons with completely different goals than younger students.

Maybe you played years ago and want to get back into it. Maybe you've always wanted to learn. Maybe you're looking for something creative that has nothing to do with work, errands, or your never-ending to-do list.

You don't need to become a professional musician.

You don't need to practice for hours every day.

And you definitely haven't “missed your chance.”

You just need a place to start and an instructor who respects your goals, your time, and the reason you wanted to make music in the first place.

5. Virtual Music Lessons Can Still Feel Personal

I started teaching music online long before virtual lessons became commonplace.

Over the years, I’ve worked with students in St. Louis and across the country, and virtual lessons have become much more than a backup option.

For some students, they're actually the reason lessons fit into their lives.

“I live in Phoenix, and he's in St. Louis, and the virtual lessons have been great! He got me started with the fundamentals...learning through songs more than through memorization and drills.”– Matthew J.

Another student shared:

“Virtual lessons are perfect for me. They’re the reason I’m able to stick with it. If I had to be at a place at a time, I know I wouldn’t go.”– Kim K.

Successful online lessons shouldn't simply be an in-person lesson happening through a screen.

We use video, digital resources, progress tracking, and interactive instruction to make virtual lessons engaging and personal. Virtual students can even participate in Mimic Music performances and events, including our annual Halloween Costume Concert.

One student who lives states away said:

“Although I live half a country away, I could participate in Mimic Music's virtual recitals. I loved seeing the other students play, especially the kids.”– Susan H.

For the right student, virtual isn't second-best.

It's simply the format that works best.

6. Students Want Expertise Without the Intimidation

Knowing your instrument matters.

Knowing how to teach it matters just as much.

I've been playing music for more than 30 years and have worked with children, adults, older adults, beginning musicians, experienced players, and students with a wide variety of learning needs.

But experience doesn't mean much if a student is afraid to ask a question.

“Brian is a fantastic instructor and musician... He’s very clear giving instructions, knows the instrument inside and out, and the best way to approach obstacles.”– Grant Y.

Another student said:

“He provides the ‘why’ to these techniques and now I feel my banjo playing is improving.”– Henry B.

That's something I care about deeply.

I don't only want a student to know what to do. Whenever possible, I want them to understand why they're doing it. Understanding builds independence. And eventually, the goal is not simply to follow your teacher.

It's to become your own musician.

7. Confidence Grows When Students Have a Chance to Use What They Learn

Lessons are important, but music isn't meant to stay inside the lesson room.

Performances give students an opportunity to set a goal, work toward it, share what they've learned, and experience the very specific combination of excitement and nerves that comes with playing music for other people.

A Mimic Music parent shared:

“They put on multiple concerts each year which gives students the opportunity to perform, keeps us informed of our son's progress, and works with our son to learn music he is interested in which keeps him motivated.”– Julie O.

Another wrote:

“The recitals are amazing and are really well done! I would absolutely recommend Mimic Music. If they are full up, get on the waitlist!”– Dean C.

Not every student dreams of performing on a huge stage, and they don't need to.

The point is giving students opportunities to stretch themselves, celebrate their progress, and experience what it feels like to share their music.

So, What Do Students Really Want From Music Lessons?

After reading through more than 50 reviews, the same ideas appear over and over:

• Students want patience.

• They want lessons that feel personal.

• They want to play music they actually care about.

• They want to see themselves improving.

• They want to be challenged without feeling intimidated.

• And perhaps most importantly, they want to enjoy making music.

  
  

That's what we're trying to create at Mimic Music Services.

I'm Brian Lee Bauer, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist and music instructor based in Affton, Missouri. My background has given me a deeper understanding of how differently people can learn, communicate, process information, and connect through music.

Whether you're looking for your child's first music teacher, returning to an instrument after years away, finally learning the banjo you've always wanted to play, or looking for a lesson format that better fits the way you learn, we'd love to get to know you.

Ready to make some music?

Start with a conversation and let's find the right lesson fit for you.