Rediculous Pricings?

[Siberian Husky]

I have just a simple question. Im a beginner student in search of my first instructor. Everything i find is about 50 dollars an hour. Is it just my area (bay area california) or are all piano lessons this extremely expensive...if i'd go with weekly lessons i'd end up paying 200 dollars a month!!!!...maybe im just judging  this as a rob because i havnt actually experienced private lessons yet..perhaps its worth every cent, given im provided to propper instructor...hmm..can i get some reflections from a few instructors out there on some information so i can possiblyg et educated and put sense to each of the dollars asked...thank you in advance

[Brian Healey]

Take this into consideration. Being a piano professional is a skilled trade. My brother's a lawyer, and I know for a fact that I've spent much, much, much (etc.) more overall time training to be a piano player than he spent training to be a lawyer. He's a very good lawyer too. However, he gets to charge over $100 per hour and if I charged that, I'd be a very lonely piano teacher.

Anyway, to answer your question, $50 per hour is probably about average. But keep in mind that you're paying for trained professional help. Most professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) charge much more. So you're actually getting a deal, in a way.


Everybody Dance Now,
Bri

[ChristmasCarol]

That's what I get.  In the real world overhead, taxes, expenses, etc. take about 50% of that from your teacher.  Then there's the time spent on planning your lessons.  A good teacher does not do exactlly the same thing with every student.  Get a discount lesson and you'll have a discount experience.  That said, I don't see why you can't take half hour lessons for a bit where you're a beginner.  A pianist gets more per hour for playing out then for teaching.  I'm in the Boston area, so prices are probably similar to your area.  I've had students come to me from other teachers who have learned so little that it's shocking. 

[pianoannie]

One on one instruction is, by its very nature, fairly expensive.  I may sound like I'm repeating what others have said, but I really wish people understood that "$xx/hour" lessons does not  mean we are earning $xx/hour.  Not even close!!  Piano teachers earn far less per hour than other professionals, and most of us began our training early in childhood, spending countless hours (and dollars) on our own private lessons, not to mention college education.

I know that for every hour I spend teaching each week, I spend at least an additional hour in preparation (ordering new music, typing newsletters, doing bookkeeping, designing customized worksheets to meet students' specific needs, planning recitals, etc etc etc).  So instantly my salary becomes not $xx/hour, but rather  half of that.  Then of course I have many expenses (frequent piano tunings, professional memberships, music books, teaching aids and games, recital expenses, teaching textbooks and magazines, business insurance, private health insurance, self-employment taxes, on and on and on!)  For me, those expenses take nearly another half off my hourly wage.  When all is said and done, my "hourly wage" ends up being about 1/4 of what a students pays for an hour of lessons. 

The only way you can expect to pay much less is if you start out in a group class.  Most children receive their academic education in large classrooms, because few could afford a private tutor for their studies.  Similarly, if you are willing to learn piano in a group setting, the cost may be more palatable for you.  Check around to see if any adult group classes are available in your area.

[dinosaurtales]

For the kind of personal attention you get, I wouldn't gripe about $50 an hour!  $200 a month is NOT an expensive hobby!  Consider how much you would spend on a monthly basis if you took up skiing and wanted private lessons, or ice hockey, or auto racing, or horse back riding.  You wanna talk expensive!!!!

This is a cheap activity all things considered, and I am appalled that piano teachers don't charge more.

[Siberian Husky]

i suppose clarity comes into view thanks to all your responses. Im just not usedto throwing down abuot 200 a month for a hobby or a practice. I used to breakdance, DJ, play soccer, and none of those even came close to this, so i guess its just me judgingit by what i used to be involved in and used to be paying for them. But hey, thanks for all your advice..i decided to go with the 25$ half hour courses instead to just ease my way into piano at a good sum of only 100 bux a month..

[jlh]

When you did breakdancing, soccer and DJ, did you have hour-long one-on-one lessons?  I think if you did, you'd pay well over $200 a month for those activities as well.  It's a numbers game... if you enroll for group lessons, you pay less because the other students all help pay.

I might mention that $50 is not near the top bracket for lessons, either.  I'm studying at the university level and if you break down tuition for weekly lessons it comes out to about $100/lesson. Granted the school eats most of that and not the professor, but still...

If you can't afford $200/month for hour lessons, perhaps you could work out a deal with the teacher for 45 or 30 minute lessons?

[lostinidlewonder]

Careful about fees. I think if you are paying 50 an hour you should expect a very well structured lesson. They know what to teach u before you walk into the room, they know what pieces you are trying to learn, they are open to teach you anything you put infront of yourself, they teach in an understandable way.

I say sac any teacher who say to your piano troubles, give it time blah blah blah. They should offer you an exact path, show you how to set out your study, creation of timetables/study plans, concert recitals, or whatever else you need. A music teacher shouldnt only teach you what keys to press or how to make it sound, they should teach you how to learn and in the end really teach you how to fish, not just hand u fish all the time. Teachers who tell u what to do and dont explain how to observe music more musically are those who will teach you forever and ever and make a living off you.

I say to all my students before i teach them, "My aim is to get rid of you as fast as i can." They always laugh at me or look at me strangely because they havent known me for more than a few mintutes. Then i tell them I'm only here to teach you how to do it, as soon as u know ur on ur own!

For 50 US an hour i would expect good teaching. For even 15 an hour you might find an amazing teacher, price doesnt really highlight the teaching ability all the time. The most i ever had to pay for a lesson was 500US an hour. Which i happily extened to many hours every time because we where both totally absorbed in the music the lesson would go for easily 3 hours. U just know when u are getting ur money's worth when the time flies. A teacher who doesn't look at clock and rush themselves is a good teacher, one who makes sure u get done what needs to be done at the end of the lesson every time is a good one. One who gives u constant confiedence and most importantly inspiration to learn more piano, is a good one who u should pay for happily.

[aki]

If you're just starting out, 30/45 minutes is good.  The important thing is that you practice a lot at home.

[Bob]

You can get cheaper lessons that are decent as a beginner -- colleges or universities, the local piano lady, etc.  But you do get less than a real professional piano teacher.

A music major studying to be a piano teacher can be a good choice -- cheaper and they're interested in developing as a teacher, so they'll spend time on you.  And it's not so much a business to them.

[bnatural]

Careful about fees. I think if you are paying 50 an hour you should expect a very well structured lesson. They know what to teach u before you walk into the room, they know what pieces you are trying to learn, they are open to teach you anything you put infront of yourself, they teach in an understandable way.

I say sac any teacher who say to your piano troubles, give it time blah blah blah. They should offer you an exact path, show you how to set out your study, creation of timetables/study plans, concert recitals, or whatever else you need. A music teacher shouldnt only teach you what keys to press or how to make it sound, they should teach you how to learn and in the end really teach you how to fish, not just hand u fish all the time. Teachers who tell u what to do and dont explain how to observe music more musically are those who will teach you forever and ever and make a living off you.

I say to all my students before i teach them, "My aim is to get rid of you as fast as i can." They always laugh at me or look at me strangely because they havent known me for more than a few mintutes. Then i tell them I'm only here to teach you how to do it, as soon as u know ur on ur own!

For 50 US an hour i would expect good teaching. For even 15 an hour you might find an amazing teacher, price doesnt really highlight the teaching ability all the time. The most i ever had to pay for a lesson was 500US an hour. Which i happily extened to many hours every time because we where both totally absorbed in the music the lesson would go for easily 3 hours. U just know when u are getting ur money's worth when the time flies. A teacher who doesn't look at clock and rush themselves is a good teacher, one who makes sure u get done what needs to be done at the end of the lesson every time is a good one. One who gives u constant confiedence and most importantly inspiration to learn more piano, is a good one who u should pay for happily.

This is exactly what I have been looking for in a teacher.  I live in San Francisco.  Does anyone know a responsible teacher for a very disciplined and motivated adult student

[mound]

Really.. consider how much money you throw away on "other stuff" - stuff that you maybe don't even have a year later.. clothes.. "toys"..  "the starbucks factor" etc. etc.. every penny you spend on quality piano instruction is an investment in the quality of the rest of your life (assuming you hold up your end and learn from them and stick with it) - I pregnant dog and moan about all kinds of expenses in life, but the fees I pay for professional instruction in the things that matter to me are a no-brainer.

-Paul

[pianodude]

Come on...................Most private piano teachers do not report their TAX.
So do not use TAX as an excuse. Many require their students to pay in cash (green dollar bill, they do not accept check).

It is just a plain supply and demand. If people do not want to pay anymore, piano teachers will reduce their price.

[ted]

My teacher earned every penny of his fee - believe me he had to work  - I was a never ending deluge of ideas and questions. I was just a schoolboy then and my father paid but I always had the impression he would have paid twice the price once the results manifested themselves.  I've just done some quick arithmetic and it tells me that the ratio of fee to average gross wage has not changed that much in forty years. If anything I think tuition might be slightly cheaper now.

Overall I agree completely with most of the replies. The cost is no more than that of having lunch and coffee out once a week and renting a few videos. The returns, with the right teacher, are priceless.

[canardroti]

I completlely aggree with  Bob, as a beginner or even advanced , you could take private lessons at a College or university with a Private instructor for a ridiculous price of 26$ a semester? about 18 lessons, and if you do get Fee waiver/ financial aid, you won't pay at all! 

[pianoannie]

I completlely aggree with  Bob, as a beginner or even advanced , you could take private lessons at a College or university with a Private instructor for a ridiculous price of 26$ a semester? about 18 lessons, and if you do get Fee waiver/ financial aid, you won't pay at all! 

26$ a semester??! What currency are you referring to? Certainly not US $. 
Private universities that we checked into for our son (who is now a freshman at college) had tuition of several hundred $$ per credit hour (that is, for each hour per week with the instructor) and that wasn't even private teaching sessions!

[pianoannie]

Come on...................Most private piano teachers do not report their TAX.
So do not use TAX as an excuse. Many require their students to pay in cash (green dollar bill, they do not accept check).

It is just a plain supply and demand. If people do not want to pay anymore, piano teachers will reduce their price.

Excuse me, have you actually checked the tax returns for all of the piano teachers you know?  Or do you actually know numerous teachers who are so irresponsible and brazen that they go around telling people of their tax evasion?!  How can you make such a broad and erroneous statement?!

I am thoroughly insulted at your assertion that most piano teachers conduct their business illegally.  I know of no teachers who insist upon being paid in cash, and if they did, I assume parents would see that as a "red flag."  All it takes is one suspicious parent, and a teacher could find him/herself serving jail time and paying painful penalties for tax evation.

[Brian Healey]

Couldn't have said it better myself. If cash is how the student wants to pay then fine, but I've never met a piano teacher that required students to pay cash. Piano teaching is like any other private business. If you don't pay your taxes, you're in for trouble. To say that most piano teachers don't report their taxes is just plain stupid.


Serenity now,
Bri

[Bob]

I know of a few university/college programs that have students doing teaching.  The parents pay something like $200 (if varies from school to school and depends on the instrument, the teacher, what the student wants, etc.) for the semester.  The teacher is college piano student studying to be a teacher.  The teaching is part of a class for the college student (lol... and that college student pays to take the class!  The good 'ole college system.)  The college student is paid to teach students who take lessons through the college or university (so they are official employees and have taxes deducted).  Sometimes the college students are teaching as part of a work-study program.    It's kind of like getting a haircut from someone training to be a barber -- you have no gaurantees, but if you find the right teacher, the price is cheaper and the quality of teaching is pretty good.  For little kids, a college age entusiastic teacher is a nice match over the grumpy old professor type of piano teacher.  Since these college teachers are doing this as part of a class sometimes, they are spending time pondering their students and teaching and have mentor teachers to get advice from.  The college students can also take advantage of the college's resources, so sometimes they end up giving lessons onstage on the concert pianos.  It's a pretty nice situation for everyone involved.

[bernhard]

And to add to the excellent replies by Pianoannie and Brian above:

It is just a plain supply and demand. If people do not want to pay anymore, piano teachers will reduce their price.

You are quite wrong here as well. If people do not want to pay, the first, immediate consequence is that prices will go up, not down, since a piano teacher must still pay his bills and earn a living. As the number of students decrease, the price for the students that remain increases to make up for the ones who left. If even those refuse to pay, the piano teacher will teach no more and make his money in some other way.

So if people do not want to pay anymore, piano teachers will not exist anymore.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[rlefebvr]

I really think the confusion here is more on the quality of the teachers and students.

I would  never be able to pay 50 or more a week for lessons. My teacher is also NOT world renowned or a concert pianist and in constant demand.
He is a professional that can and is teaching me much however.
I also do not practice 4 to 6 hours a day or plan to make my living playing piano. The average over here in Canada is 15 to 25$. This is a fair and reasonable price for someone just starting out or learning for the pleasure of it.

Most of the people in this forum  are much more advance however and take piano much more seriously. At that point the price goes up as it should. I have seen teachers charge as much as 100$ CND.

It's like comparing recreational sports with AAA top level organized sports.
One cost 50$ a year, the other goes up anywhere from 3 to 5 thousand a year.

The level of most people in this forum is very high from what I ascertain and that is why the prices quoted are so high.

If you are finding it hard finding a teacher at your price, maybe, just maybe you are asking for a lot more in a teacher than you are willing to give.
Nothing is free and nothing is owed you contrary to what people believe today.

[iwy42]

teaechers will keep teaching no matter what never mind what these people say.  prices are way to hi as it is.  there should be a movment to bring it down a little, i agree.

[pianodude]

And to add to the excellent replies by Pianoannie and Brian above:



You are quite wrong here as well. If people do not want to pay, the first, immediate consequence is that prices will go up, not down, since a piano teacher must still pay his bills and earn a living. As the number of students decrease, the price for the students that remain increases to make up for the ones who left. If even those refuse to pay, the piano teacher will teach no more and make his money in some other way.

So if people do not want to pay anymore, piano teachers will not exist anymore.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Your theory will change the fundamental Economics theory. You can get a Noble price for this....

[canardroti]

26$ a semester??! What currency are you referring to? Certainly not US $. 
Private universities that we checked into for our son (who is now a freshman at college) had tuition of several hundred $$ per credit hour (that is, for each hour per week with the instructor) and that wasn't even private teaching sessions!

I am indeed talking about US $.  I do not know about the other states , but in California , the Price of a 1 unit is 26$ in junior college. Private lesson is a 1 unit class ,therefore 26$ for a whole semester. The private instructors have a decent reputation i believe, they might not be super mega famous concert pianist, but they do hold at least a master in piano performances from really respectable music schools. Anyway, if you're just begining it might be a really good alternative instead of spending 50$ on a private instructor to teach you scales.

[Brian Healey]

$26 for a semester? That's a steal! That's like a dollar per hour or something. It sounds too good to be true. Where I come from, you can't even get a college teacher to spit on you for $26. There has to be a catch. If not, that's the most incredible thing I've ever heard.


Peace,
Bri

[pianodude]

The cost of going to a community college in California is very inexpensive. I was shocked when I just moved to Illinois. For those who live in CA, you should take advantage of this opportunity. I know a piano teacher holding a doctorate degree from Moscow Conservatory and charges his student $150/hr (in 1995). People can study with him at El Camino College for virtually nothing. I heard his private students, they played extremely well.

[canardroti]

yup indeed. For 26 $ a semester , 18 lessons of 1 hour each with really respectable teachers. how can u beat that?? i was blown away too when i moved to California.

[Brian Healey]

It still blows my mind how that is possbile. It looks like I certainly picked the wrong state to go to school.


Peace,
Bri

[key of c]

PianoDude,
Where at in Illinois?  I can't believe someone charges 150.00 hourly at a community college.  I am currently taking lessons at one for 50.00 an hour.

I also know many teachers without a master's or a bachelors degree and they do not charge as high.
The typical price where I am is 17.00 per half hour from folks with a bachelors degree.

[pianodude]

The $ 150 was in California not in Illinois. However, I will not be surprise if there are excellent teacher in Illinois who will charge $150 per hour.

$17/half hour is very reasonble.....!!! By doing so, you give people more chance to learn how to play piano....Good for you..