All About Piano Lesson Costs

[LovingBrahms]

Have been hovering around here for the past few years but felt a strong need to post a reply.


To parents who feel that some piano teachers whose fees are similar to the school system, I hope you could understand our pov. I have been a music teacher for the past 7 years and have been charging by per lesson till today. In my first year of private teaching, I always believe that I should give and take to my students and vice versa, and thus give the flexibility of charging every 4 lessons.

However as time goes by, students and parents started calling up to cancel lesson because they missed the bus, their alarm didn’t ring, it has been raining the whole day and they were feeling lazy etc. At that time, income was irregular that my parents told me to just continue teaching in my previous school, but these schools have rules that I felt was not beneficial to both me and my students.

Eventually, these students who regularly postpone lessons started to fall behind.

Today, my lessons are still pro-rated but in the sense that no lessons could be missed. If lessons are missed and for a good reason, they have to do a make up or otherwise, simply forfeit the lesson. I hope parents can understand that as much as we love teaching your wonderful kids, we need to pay the bills too! We already do not have bonus or incentives for our work, but that does not make our job easier too.

[peanut_butter]

LovingBrahms:

Today, my lessons are still pro-rated but in the sense that no lessons could be missed. If lessons are missed and for a good reason, they have to do a make up or otherwise, simply forfeit the lesson. I hope parents can understand that as much as we love teaching your wonderful kids, we need to pay the bills too! We already do not have bonus or incentives for our work, but that does not make our job easier too.

I used to charge per lesson in my first year of teaching. Term exams, flu seasons, June and December are scary months where i have to dip into my 'coffin money' to pay my bills. One of school I work in still allow their students to waive their fees when they are away during their school term break or to replace lesson whenever they need to attend parties. I have gradually cut down on the hours of teaching there.

I do pro-rated now. I am considering the card system where student purchase a 12-lesson card with an expiry date so that they could not miss many lessons. Any thought on that?

[LovingBrahms]

peanut_butter:

I used to charge per lesson in my first year of teaching. Term exams, flu seasons, June and December are scary months where i have to dip into my 'coffin money' to pay my bills. One of school I work in still allow their students to waive their fees when they are away during their school term break or to replace lesson whenever they need to attend parties. I have gradually cut down on the hours of teaching there.

I do pro-rated now. I am considering the card system where student purchase a 12-lesson card with an expiry date so that they could not miss many lessons. Any thought on that?[/color]

Woah, this is my first time hearing such a school! :censored:

I have read somewhere (I can't remember where though!) on teachers using the lesson card system. What I feel is that you might want to spell out the T&Cs really clearly which you may want to give a good thought on it. One issue that you have to take note of, what if the student wants to use the entire 2 weeks to finish the 12 lessons and not come for lesson for the rest of the period? Earning the money is one thing, but this would affect the student's learning greatly.

On the other hand, I had this arrangement with one of my ex-student but she was not keen on taking exam and only wanted to learn the piano for leisure. Besides, she's a working adult, so this work out really great for both of us. She would come at my \"ghost\" timing where I do not have students, usually the weekdays morning or just simply slot herself into an available night slot.

So you got to figure out if this sort of lesson charges is workable for both you and your students. At the end of the day, both parties have to be agreeable to the terms and respect it.

[metz]

peanut_butter:

One of school I work in still allow their students to waive their fees when they are away during their school term break or to replace lesson whenever they need to attend parties. I have gradually cut down on the hours of teaching there.

As a matter of fact, my kids' current music school operates on a booking-by-lesson basis. Should we have any changes in plans, we can call them up (at least one day in advance) to reschedule the lesson.

[Rossae]

For good piano teachers with qualifications of Diploma, Licientiate etc the rates are 200-250 for grade 1 all the way to 5. It’s becoming a more popular way of charging instead of gradual increment from grade 1,2,3,4,5 etc. This is because many of my students move very quickly and jump grades 2,4,6 and it is easier to charge at standard rate for the lower grades. I’m a piano teacher myself and I know a circle of teachers who does this standard rates.


As for the holiday fee, I know that my piano teacher charges the fee paid for holidays but no lessons policy since she is a full time piano teacher. But I believe its fairer to charge per lessons, which is why i choose to have fees paid every 4 lessons to be fair to parents. Contact me through pm for piano lessons.

[peanut_butter]

LovingBrahms:

Woah, this is my first time hearing such a school! :censored:

Only a few students request for leave to attent party occasionally but numbers do add up. Esp. When they request for makeup in the evening.

[mrlim2008]

Hi Mommies,


I looking for a music teacher to come my house for my DD ( she’s 5 y.o and currently attending junior music course @ Yamaha). Can you recommend some good teacher who willing to come our place with reasonable fees? Thanks in advance.

[sleepy]

Dreamaurora:

I charge per lesson but I know many other teachers charge like music schools for a more steady income.

Interesting discussion on fees by various piano teachers. Good to see the perspective of various teachers

Initially we paid dd's piano teacher at beginning of each month. 5th week no lesson. Then along the way, she cancel lesson or my dd cancel lesson. Actually more often is teacher cancelling lesson because she has diploma students too so if near her dip students exam she focus more on those students. Or she not feeling well or busy. Then lesson will be postponed to the following week.

Unless near exam period otherwise dd is not keen in make up lesson. We attended make up lesson once but half way another child arrive & join in, somehow become group lesson. So we prefer to stick to our regular time slot, at least no such interruption.

Anyway, it kind of get messy to keep track after several months. So we told teacher we will pay every 4 lessons for ease of calculation. She agreed. We record down the lesson dates & paid promotly automatically. Doubt she is even keeping track. She is a wonderful teacher, just somewhat disorganised.

No idea what's her fees arrangement with other students though.

[Ymeng]

Hi Jce - read about the threads n wud like u PM me at [email protected] to understand more about your teaching schedule. Thanks.

[pianoteachersteven]

Dear parents/readers,


I am Steven, a local piano teacher of 8 years experience. I have a Licentiate (Distinction) degree in both Piano performing and Teaching by the Associated Board Royal School of Music. Over the past years I have produced distinction students in the two piano schools I worked in. As I am currently shifting my priority to my own private students, I am recruiting piano students whom I would like to nurture and teach.

I have taught Beginner's course/Grade 1 to Diploma (both Trinity and Royal Board) students ranging from 5 to 19 years old (as well a 35 years old adult too!), sent them for concerts, practical and theory exams as well as the O levels.

I live in Ang Mo Kio and teach at home usually, unless the student's place is in the vicinity. The prices of the piano lessons will go according to the usual market rates (details will be given at request).

I enjoy working with children and young adults, and am generally looking into developing interest and music appreciation whilst training techniques in interested students:) And yes, in case you are wondering, I have spent many years with NAFA's school of young talents.

If you are interested in sending your child/yourself to piano lessons under me or would find out more, please send me a private message or email me at [email protected]. I will kindly answer any queries/requests.