I've been looking for a new teacher (to teach intermediate level), and I've found that quite a few charge 65-70 dollars an hour.

Is that the standard rate? It seems a bit expensive...

No, that's about right. I charge $30 per half hour and I've only been teaching for a year and a half. More experienced teachers definitely charge $35 per half hour and beyond.

It's not a lot really if you think about it. You pay that much to have a personal trainer at the gym or for a professional massage, and those people have done certificates that take only a year or two, versus the thousands of hours and years that piano teachers have put into honing their skill and then learning how to pass that on to others effectively.

Also, you are not just being charged for the time your teacher spends with you, but also the time they spend preparing lesson plans for you, searching out repertoire, creating or sourcing exercises that will help you learn new pieces easier and faster, and scouring forums like this and going to workshops/seminars to learn better ways to teach you.

Debussyfan, it's hard to know if the rate you quote is 'expensive' without knowing where you live. In Sydney $75 is not unusual. And the level you are at makes no difference to the price - just as much (but different) expertise is required to teach beginners as advanced students.

And I second mitts_off's comments regarding price, above.

I'm also in Sydney and my current teacher charges $65 an hour - but my previous teacher charged $75 (and had the most gorgeous brand new grand piano )

So yes... the rates you quotes are pretty standard for qualified piano teachers in Sydney.

I've also only just begun teaching piano to beginners - and I'm charging $30 per half hour which is in line with other teachers around my level of experience and qualifications in my area.

What they all said.

Haha, but this thread makes me think I should charge more (than I do)!

I'm hoping my teacher doesnt read this or my lessons have just gone up in price

Do you know... I feel bad about charging what I do - I would rather charge less considering I have less piano teaching experience than other teachers (I have taught organ for years - but not piano)... but I don't want to undercut more qualified teachers by charging less than they do - and thereby taking students that they should be teaching - only because parents want to pay a cheaper rate!

So I charge roughly the same rate as teachers around my area - and then parents make their decision based on other factors - other than rates - which I think is fairer to all concerned.

But that's just my thoughts.

LimeFriday, I don't think you should feel bad!! You've set your fee with forethought and consideration and it seems to be working fine! If people are unhappy they can always find a new teacher, so... I reckon you have a great approach!!

I found a teacher, but she charges $80 an hour (I live in Sydney)... It seems very expensive to me, but I'm just a student... I decided to take the $60 for 45 minute lesson. Still seems expensive though.