How much should I charge for lessons?

btangel · #1 08-29-2006, 10:38 PM

I'm having trouble deciding how much I should charge for lessons. My student is very young (she turns 7 in oct.) and she's a total beginner. I know the norm is around $30 for an hour of lessons, but this is my first time teaching so I don't think I can justify charging so much. I was thinking about charging about $10~15/hr. Any suggestions?

JM5150 · #2 08-30-2006, 12:09 AM

That's a good question. I'm looking into giving lessons as well. I have a 13 year old son who has many friends that are willing (or parents are willing) to pay for lessons. I don't want to rip the kids off, but think that my time and lessons are worth something....

surfdog777 · #3 08-30-2006, 12:51 AM

bt,

Ken Stanton here in Gwinnett gets $40.00/hr. I just cut their price in half and have had no problems at all. What you don't want to have happen is picking up new students by word of mouth advertising and having to give them all the "super discount" rate. Much easier to go lower than higher in a "case by case" situation.

seongkeat · #4 08-30-2006, 10:00 AM

i will suggest that $8-$10/hr...

supermau · #5 08-30-2006, 10:19 AM

No matter what the kids' age you still need to make it worth your while. I'd go $20.00. Seems reasonable enough if you think $30-40 is too high. If you intend on giving lessons on a regular basis the last thing you want to do is have a flock of students paying you a measly $8.00 an hour.

btangel · #6 08-30-2006, 04:36 PM

thx guys. I think I'm gonna offer $20/hr and have $15 as my minimum.

BluePill · #7 08-31-2006, 11:35 AM

I charge $85 a month and it goes up to $100 a month in January 07.

(4 Lessons a month for 1/2 hour session.) No show policy - Emergency only
I have a lot of prep time too.

I actually will "FIRE" a student if they dont practice! I really emphasize to the parents wether they are wasting money and my time. I am not a babysitter!

supermau · #8 08-31-2006, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluePill

I charge $85 a month and it goes up to $100 a month in January 07.

(4 Lessons a month for 1/2 hour session.) No show policy - Emergency only
I have a lot of prep time too.

I actually will "FIRE" a student if they dont practice! I really emphasize to the parents wether they are wasting money and my time. I am not a babysitter!

Sounds like good business practice to me. Why waste YOUR time!

jwoods986 · #9 09-01-2006, 11:57 AM

I'm looking at starting lessons and wondered about pricing also. I figure you're best bet is to find out what the local shops charge and undercut them a little. Like for me, there's a Ken Stanton a mile from my house and they charge $17.50-20/half hour, so I'm going to advertise in the local paper/magazine for $15/half hour. I'm also going to do a first lesson money-back guarantee, if the student doesn't like the way I teach or doesn't want to stick with it after the first lesson, there's no charge. I figure between that and charging less than the local store, I should be able to get some students.

Dragon Slayer J · #10 09-03-2006, 11:42 AM

my teacher charges me £8 ($16) for up to 2 hours. and hes a great teacher... has me playing malmsteen and vai after a year and a half

Ozzdoc · #11 09-04-2006, 06:31 PM

My lessons cost 20 bucks for a half hour, so 20 bucks for a hour is awsome.

espshredder · #12 09-05-2006, 09:17 AM

I gave lessons last summer on my break from College, I was charging £15/about $30 an hour.

Rekuss · #13 09-05-2006, 11:33 AM

hey im 15 and i teach this kid who i charge £10 which is roughly $15. Over here for a proper teacher it costs about £20.

Nickelo · #14 09-05-2006, 11:12 PM

I think it depends on how extensive the lesson is; for example, whether you teach theory, no matter how basic, or just how to teach songs. When I teach, it is usually $10/ 30 mins. I think that is reasonable, considering I don't do it as a living. But, that's my 2 cents.

Cheers

davester1234 · #15 09-06-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluePill

I charge $85 a month and it goes up to $100 a month in January 07.

(4 Lessons a month for 1/2 hour session.) No show policy - Emergency only
I have a lot of prep time too.

I actually will "FIRE" a student if they dont practice! I really emphasize to the parents wether they are wasting money and my time. I am not a babysitter!

haha, as a teacher I feel you man. But firing a student? That may be a blow to the ego.