All About Piano Lesson Costs

[Serendipity]

Thanks jce! So teachers with diploma but less experience wld warrant abt…?

[Dreamaurora]

Serendipity:

Thanks jce! So teachers with diploma but less experience wld warrant abt...?

To be honest I would say track record is more important than experience.

There are teachers who have been teaching for very long time but did not bother to refine their craft and their students are just average.

And there are also young teachers who have been only teaching for a few years but are passionate about teaching and their students produced stellar results.

[Serendipity]

Dreamaurora:

Serendipity:

Thanks jce! So teachers with diploma but less experience wld warrant abt...?

To be honest I would say track record is more important than experience.

There are teachers who have been teaching for very long time but did not bother to refine their craft and their students are just average.

And there are also young teachers who have been only teaching for a few years but are passionate about teaching and their students produced stellar results.

Quite true too...

[Min Min]

Hi,

My DS (8 yrs old) just finished his grade 1 practical exam from music school. It seems like the progress of music school is a bit slow. Thought of switching him to private. Teacher quoted $190 per month for an hour lesson.(lesson at teacher’s house)

- Is the rate reasonable?
- What are the vital questions that I need to know about the private teacher?

Thanks

[ong lee]

During grade 1 exam, what is tested? How is the exam conducted… Can anyone share? If kid is learning private, where and how to book the exam and how much?

[jce]

Min Min, 1 hour $190 is reasonable as it works out at just over $45 for an hour. The question now is whether the teacher does a good job teaching, is there rapport btw the child and teacher. How experienced, how meticulous is the teacher to fine details etc etc. You will need to find out about qualifications, holidays, make up classes as well.


Track record is one aspect to pay attention to but then there will always be exceptions, "so far all has been bright and sunny but who knows when the weather may change". These changes are sometimes brought about by students who don’t put it the effort. It takes two hands to clap. Brilliant teacher+Brilliant student, who wouldn’t want that? But sometimes a Brilliant teacher+"really can’t be bothered student (and parents), the result can be just passable, nothing to shout about.

Ong Lee, you can call and book the studio directly once you know where the exam studio is, charges are normally $30 for 30 mins. Grade 1 exam includes scales, 3 pieces, sight reading and aural. It is a 1-1 exam so can be rather nerve-racking for younger ones. Examiners are Brits and some may have very strong accents so that is something to prep the kids, to be brave to say "pardon" and have sharp ears to really listen

[Dreamaurora]

jce:

Min Min, 1 hour $190 is reasonable as it works out at just over $45 for an hour. The question now is whether the teacher does a good job teaching, is there rapport btw the child and teacher. How experienced, how meticulous is the teacher to fine details etc etc. You will need to find out about qualifications, holidays, make up classes as well.


Track record is one aspect to pay attention to but then there will always be exceptions, \"so far all has been bright and sunny but who knows when the weather may change\". These changes are sometimes brought about by students who don't put it the effort. It takes two hands to clap. Brilliant teacher+Brilliant student, who wouldn't want that? But sometimes a Brilliant teacher+\"really can't be bothered student (and parents), the result can be just passable, nothing to shout about.

Ong Lee, you can call and book the studio directly once you know where the exam studio is, charges are normally $30 for 30 mins. Grade 1 exam includes scales, 3 pieces, sight reading and aural. It is a 1-1 exam so can be rather nerve-racking for younger ones. Examiners are Brits and some may have very strong accents so that is something to prep the kids, to be brave to say \"pardon\" and have sharp ears to really listen

Jce, I think the brilliant teachers will automatically filter out problematic students and parents even before starting lessons as they need to maintain their track records and reputations. And if the students turn problematic down the road, they can always kick out the students from their studio. The only exception is when the brilliant teachers are stuck in music schools and cannot choose their students. I am not implying I am a brilliant teacher, but I take extra care to assess students and parents before accepting them to make sure we can work well together. But even then I have misjudged a few times and I had some unpleasant experience. But thankfully these problematic students left on their own accords and so far I had not actually kicked out any students yet.

Ong Lee, you really should ask your kid's teacher. He/she would be the best person to explain how the exam goes along with the marking breakdown. And by right he/she would give mock exams along the way as well if your kids are entering the exams. If the teacher is not able to do this, then it may be a cause of worry.

[jce]

I personally don’t like the idea of kicking out students though sometimes I have to be totally honest with the parents so they are aware what to expect in terms of results. So either cooperate with me and hopefully get through the exam with something decent or risk scrapping through by the neck.

[Dreamaurora]

jce:

I personally don't like the idea of kicking out students though sometimes I have to be totally honest with the parents so they are aware what to expect in terms of results. So either cooperate with me and hopefully get through the exam with something decent or risk scrapping through by the neck.

I do not like the idea also. I know some well known teachers are not shy of doing it, but I imagine it can be very devastating to the students even if the students and parents are actually at fault. I think a better solution is to refer another teacher who will suit the student more.

[jce]

Teachers who want a "clean slate" will do that. Just like the "branded" tuition centres who churn out top scorers because they filter their students. For me I make it clear to the students (and parents) that I expect a certain level of commitment. If the child is slow in learning but willing to put in effort then I’m willing to give it a go and do my part the best I can.