All About Piano Lesson Costs

[titank]

Aggie:

Hi I am paying $140 per month to travel to piano teacher's hm and she is following yamaha holiday schedule so there may be 3 lessons in a mth but still pay the same for the 45 mins. Is this reasonable?

Normally Pte piano teacher would based on number of lesson Eg 4 lesson which you pay an amount. I also had come across some charge by month where in a month you minimum you would get 4. If there is a 5th week, either you pay extra or the teacher consider it as a break.

I guess your piano teacher is using the school system to charge you, this is quite not fair esp if you hit by chinese new year month, X'mas & new year etc.

Try to negotiate with the piano teacher on the rates again if you are not uncomfortable.

[titank]

daffyhan:

It seems that there is a range of rates charged by piano teachers in the market. \"Demand for the teacher\" is something that is difficult to quantify and is determined by the \"feel\" of the teacher. As a parent, I would like to understand and further nail down the dynamics of the ever-evolving rates.


I have the following questions:

a) What is an experienced and qualified teacher? How many years of experience and what qualifications are we actually talking about?


b) Related to question (a), as the qualifications and experience of each teacher is different, how much premium would be expected for (i) each year or at least each few years of experience; and (ii) each level of qualification.

E.g. say the normal rate is $100 for monthly beginner and grade one lessons of 45 min, a teacher would charge $20 more for her diploma, $20 more for having 5 years of experience and $10 more for having taught many students who passed with distinction. Hence, charge total of $150 per month.


c) Is there an official table of rates published by any piano teachers' body or association etc, which can be used as a guide for the general public, on the average to pay for the respective grades for 1-1 lessons and at teacher's place, and also for the teachers' experience and qualifications?


Appreciate it if both parents and piano teachers can advise. Thanks.

I came across this website where you may use it as a guide to check whether you are paying the reasonable rates for piano teacher.

http://pianoteacher.com.sg/

[jce]

Generally, schools will give 44 lessons per year, so after factoring all the public holidays, school concert, school hol etc, each student should get 44 lessons per year. As for private teachers, some will adopt this method too. For me, I give 46 lessons per year. So I will factor in the public holidays, June and Dec when I would take a 2 week break. If so happen I have reached my "quota" after factoring in the public hol and June 2 week, then Dec I will not take any breaks, but so far I have not encountered that.


Experienced teacher - I think anything above 6 yrs in the "business" is considered experienced.

Qualifications - A Masters degree from a reputable/established university or Conservatory is good.

Demand - If the teacher is highly sought after then he/she must be doing something right, whether it is a good teaching method or proven track record in exams or competition winners under his/her belt.

If you take $140 per month 45 mins lesson for a beginner with a teacher holding a diploma cert, then a bachelor degree holder should at least be getting $160 and a masters $180 (all with the same no of years experience).

[daffyhan]

Thanks for the reference links, titank and peanut_butter.

[daffyhan]

I am still on the lookout for a piano teacher and would appreciate recommendations. I am residing in the north and I don’t mind travelling to the teacher’s place if it is nearby. Thanks.

[Vevey]

Aggie:

Hi I am paying $140 per month to travel to piano teacher's hm and she is following yamaha holiday schedule so there may be 3 lessons in a mth but still pay the same for the 45 mins. Is this reasonable?

Is she a Yamaha teacher?
I know of a current Yamaha teacher w the same schedule & charging this amt for Grade 1.

[jce]

$140 for a diploma grad or a bachelor degree holder with reasonable experience, I think that’s reasonable. If your child is enjoying, improving, that’s the most important thing.


As for following Yamaha holiday, that again is reasonable as you should still be getting 46 lessons or so per year.

[allamanda]

can anyone tell me what is the market rate for grade 5 theory lessons per mth?

[jce]

Group generally around the region of $120, individual around $180, depending on the qualification of the teacher and whether the teacher is "in demand".

[smurf28]

my dd's teacher charge $150 for beginner.she hold dip.Did she overcharge me? :?