Piano lessons? (past or current)

2

2littleboys

Moderator
Anyone here doing piano lessons... either as a teacher or taking your kids to a private teacher? I'm curious what the going rate is for beginners in different areas of the country. I have a music degree that's been collecting dust for years. Dh and I think that the kids are old enough now for me to start teaching again... perhaps in January. I would only accept beginners, and I'd probably take a max of 8-10 students (2-3 per day, 4-5 days per week).

Most of my music teaching experience has been with disadvantaged kids in poor school districts. I used to teach either on district stipend or for whatever the students' parents could afford if the district funds didn't cover them. Now, I'd actually like to make some money. Back then, I was single and bored. Now I have a couple of expensive offspring who want to do cool homeschooling stuff. LOL!

Also... are lessons usually 30, 45, or 60 minutes for beginners where you are?

OH! What about other instruments? Is the time/rate the same as piano? I can teach any beginner band student and some advanced band students (depending on instrument), except strings. I didn't have an orchestra at my university, so I wasn't able to learn those.
 
I took classical guitar lessons from a man who teaches music at a local community college. (I took lessons at his studio outside the college) He charged $25 per hour. Sometimes it was a private lesson, more often I was one of two students. My lessons were an hour long. (Southwest Michigan)

Don't have a lot of experience with piano lesson rates. Elle plays, but her grandfather taught her.

You might want to check with local public and private school band directors and see if they're interested in making some tutoring referrals to you? (or at least see if you can get some advertisements up at places the moms are likely to stop...convenience/grocery stores/gas stations near the schools.

If you're willing to let the school do a criminal background check on you to keep on file...it'll make parents feel safer about leaving their kids with you. Having a background check on file is required here for parents who want to work with the kids on extra-curriculars (hubby and I both did this to help the kids build theater sets after school).

I think you could do VERY well for yourself offering lessons...particularly with your background.

Good Luck!
 
A lot of it depends on your location. In New England, I (as a cello teacher) made $20/half hour. We recently relocated to FL, and that is not the going rate, here! Also keep in mind what you're offering. Someone in a studio with resources available to purchase on site is going to make a little more than a wahm.

If you're careful how you schedule, you can really build a good relationship with your students and their families. I list my price in the middle of the going range, and say, per lesson. As homeschoolers, we're well aware of the need for flexiblity and freedom. I will not schedule back to back lessons in order to leave time to really invest in that individual. I just recently had a teenaged, beginning student whose lesson normally runs about a half hour, ask me about 20-minutes worth of questions after the lesson. Her parents and I both appreciate having the time, to take the time.

Beginner lessons usually go for about a half hour, unless you have an older beginner who is highly motiviated.

Also consider how much theory you'll include. The more thorough of a teacher you are, the more time you'll need. As a cello teacher, the majority of my students are already taking piano. And I find most of them terribly uneducated in the most basic theory concepts (I'm talking key signatures and scales--basic stuff!). I require my students to learn theory, both "book work" and practical (this is written in G--now play it in Ab).

So, now that I've written a book :lol: I hope that helps!
 
We pay &65/month for a half-hour lesson once a week. That may be on the cheap side, since we've been with this teacher for about ten years; at one time, I had all three kids taking lessons, which gave us a discount. As you say, you can really build a good relationship with your students and families. We have an AWESOME relationship with Miss Candy!!! Phillip played keyboard at AWANA camp this summer, and he was taking the music with him to his lessons for her to help him with them.
 
It fluctuates around here. The rate for beginners, in my city, is $20 per half hour. Then prices go up according to location and the teachers experience. Some teachers in larger cities charge $30+. My daughter teaches piano, but she doesn't have a degree.. She charges $15 per half hour lesson.
 
Hi
I think it as a lot to do with were you live. By me I found $30-$50 for 30 minutes. Then many of the studios or academys do not list there price on the Web sites.They have monthly or quartrely tuition. I would research your area.
 
We pay $10 for 20 minutes with my beginner. It is a college nursing student so the rate seems to reflect. I pay $30 for an hour with 3 students each getting 20 minutes. We don't pay in advance as we both have hectic schedules but rather pay at each lesson. Most set tutors are paid in advance for the month whether lessons are cancelled by either party. It has been worth it for us even though we are hit or miss through the summer months.
 
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