How much does a new teacher charge?

[fleah]

Hi all,

I'm a good pianist, very good with children, patient.  Friends who I've taught some piano to have really loved it.  I would like to set up a piano studio and start teaching.  I do not have any certification.
I see so many varied fees from previous postings--$10 an hour to over $100! 
What really is a fair fee for a new teacher without certification in or near the New York area?
I truly want to be fair--to my students and to myself!
Thanks for your tips!
 

[john v.d.brook]

Hi fleah, A not so easy question.  Before you begin teaching, you should study a bit of pedagogy.  This doesn't necessarily mean in a college course.  Two books to read are: Practical Pedagogy by Dr. Martha Baker-Jordan, and The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher by Marienne Uszler.

As for pay, considering that your students are going to be training you how to teach, take a look at what substitute public school teachers receive in your area, and use that as a point of departure.

Finally, be upfront with parents, admit that you're just starting out, so your fees will be low for the first year, and will be raised as you gain experience.

Hope this helps . . . . and welcome to the very satisfying world of teaching.

John

[piano4me]

I am a ways from NY so it could vary greatly. In MI. I have just started teaching lesson after taking lessons for 9yrs. and still continue to do so. So I am a teacher/student. For starting out I charge $12. I agree with John.

[quantum]

Excellent site with tons of info.  Scroll down to the section labeled "Fees", lots to read there:
https://www.serve.com/marbeth/business.html

[fleah]

THANK YOU FOR THE RESPONSES!!!

[pianoteacherkim]

Hi fleah,

When I started teaching it was quite a few years after graduating from college (with my music degree) and I felt like I needed some support.  When an opening came at a local piano store, I took it.  I then took informal lessons from the owner (professional pianist turned piano store owner) and also took flute lessons from a local professional (my other instrument).

I also dove into books about teaching, pedagogy, and the like.  I even dug out my college theory and music history books.  Since I was taking lessons myself, I had long-time teachers to turn to and get support from.  And I picked their brains!!

I mention all this before answering your question about price because it's an excellent way to get started teaching.  The local piano store charged $14/half hour, and I was paid $9/half hour.  The great thing was they did all the advertising, bookkeeping and the like.  I could just teach and learn.

If you're going out on your own then you could probably start somewhere in the $10-$15 range per half hour.

Good luck and if I can be of help, please don't hesitate to get in touch through my website!

Best,

Kim

[pianoexcellence]

i agree.

You need a teacher to act as a mentor. I did not do this, and although I made some money, I was an apaling teacher. I cringe to think of how poorly these students learned, and I know it was my fault, because when I began taking lessons again my students made much better progress.

Get a good teacher and ask what they think you should charge. I think you would be suprised at the amount (More than you expected)

There are definite perils involved with having a low rate. Raising rates later will be touchy, and students who pay a low rate expect low results. This is not the way to start your career.

I really hope I have helped...

Around here, (Vancouver Canada)  a student-auxillary teacher will charge between 30-35 dollars per hour, and some much more (Remember, it is all about results)

[pizno]

I started teaching with lots of piano experience, almost a year of a piano teaching course under my belt, and a degree in biology.  I made the decision to charge the going rate around here, which is in the midwest.  I charge $30 for 45 minutes.  No one has complained a bit.  Now if I could get them all to pay the first week of the month, I would be happy!

PIzno

[ashleyspiano]

I've been teaching for six years now, (not too long I know) but have about 50 students in my area. I drive to my students homes and have a long waiting list. My rate is $100 per month. I get the students books, drive, give treats, stickers and prices and feel the rate is very fair!

[alzado]

I go to my lessons at a large piano and music store.  The second floor has a number of studios set up for lessons, and there are at least 8 or more teachers who come in at different times, and on different days of the week. Some sharing of these studios occurs among the teachers.  Most are piano teachers, but there are also guitar teachers, flute teachers, and so forth.

Information provided by the store is that lessons are "$50 per month."  This price is for four (or five) half-hour lessons.  Apparently this flat-rate is consistent across the teachers.

Some of the teachers are quite young, and starting out.  A few others are very elderly, and may be fading out of the teaching scene.

Depending on the individual teacher, of course, a number of these persons can do a very competent job.   Some parents may feel that "Little Johnny" must have the best, and may get one of the local university professors to teach little Johnny at several hundred dollars a month. 

Fine, let people set up whatever arrangements make them feel most comfortable.  I have a very elderly teacher with whom I am comfortable, and will probably stay with this arrangement for at least a while.  [Alas, the pianos provided are TERRIBLE.]

[a-sharp]

It deponds on where you live, what your overhead [cost of staying in business], experience, and a lot of other factors. Make sure you're covering all of your expenses [including wear and tear on your car if you travel], and don't forget to increase your rate with the normal rate of inflataion [at least] on some regular basis [like everyone in business does].

There is a good article in the recent issue of Clavier magazine about raising rates ... And the link quantum posted is good too.

Ahsley - you are a great value - I'll be you could easily up your fee $5/hr and no one would think twice. Especially with a waiting list... Just a thought. In my area one could probably charge 2x what you are to travel to students' homes ... again - just depends on where you live. Just make sure you're not under-selling yourself.

I always kind of figured a music teacher should at least get what the local handyman or cleaning person gets, as we provide a much more specialized 'service' - but I've seen teachers charge less.

Bottom line is, charge what you feel you, and your expertise are worth, and people will believe it, and pay it - I have heard that from other teachers too...

Cheers ~

[melismatic]

I'd say not to charge too low...students have to take you seriously.

I live in Canada and I'm a beginner teacher, charging students $25CAD.  My teacher recommends 40$ but there is just way to much competition out there.

[ingagroznaya]

I used to charge $140.00 ( per month ) before I knew how to play my self.

[invictious]

Depending on your area (yes NYC, charge it high), there are several factors to consider, which many here have covered. I'd say get a certification as soon as possible, while then you can also continue teaching.

As melismatic said, don't charge too low, or people won't take you seriously, and just goof off. As a new teacher, however, you should charge at slightly-below average prices. Despite what you think you might be good with people, it's just a secondary measure to make sure, and besides, you are doing this for experience.

After a few months (a year?), you can increase your fees. If you have lots of students (which is a very good thing) then you can raise it even quicker and higher. You can raise it to your desired price or continue building up, so as not to lose a few customers along the raises.

Whether you want to go to student's homes or student's coming to your home is another thing to consider. It's basically competing between the time for travel (therefore less students, and you get more tired, and you won't be in top condition) + traveling fees (gas) and the wear and tear of your piano (particularly if you have advanced students playing Bartok ruthlessly on your piano).

Also, for some reason, there are people who go to teachers who charge obscene rates ($500 USD a month?). There seems to be no top limit you can set, but just make sure you can justify it with 30 years of teaching experience, with your plethora of certifications.

Speaking of which, I should start teaching piano, and of which, I shall hijack this thread.
How do you get students?

[jinfiesto]

I'm 16 I've been playing for about ten years. I went and auditioned for a teaching job at a store, and I get paid 40 an hour. They charge 50 and I keep ten. Auditioning wasn't easy though. Coming off like I'm as good as people with graduate degrees is difficult to say the least. bah... I'm the only teacher there without a graduate degree... I'm the only teacher there without a degree ... hahahaha. Although, there are some pretty un-talented teachers there. Surprising for the level of education the store usually requires.