I am a lapsed player looking to get a bit more serious again after purchasing a grand.

I am due to have an introductory lesson with a teacher next week. She was the most qualified teacher in the listings I read, was the only one with testimonials and has a perfect exam pass rate. I liked the cut of her jib when I spoke to her on the phone - friendly but no-nonsense at the same time. She would be travelling to my home to teach.

Only thing is, she charges twice what appears to be the going rate (£60 an hour as opposed to £30/35). My wife is not impressed with the price given we need to tighten our belts for a couple of months.

She may well be the best teacher in the vicinity, but how do I evaluate that? Should I come straight out and ask her (in the form of a friendly enquiry rather than a challenge) how she merits her price, perhaps after/just before our first lesson? If I decide she is worthwhile should I consider having a lesson every two weeks instead?

Just wondering what people on here would do. I guess have lessons with a couple of other teachers and then make a decision? Seems awkward though.

Well, if she is the most qualified teacher in the listings and she has testimonials and a perfect exam pass rate...why bother to ask her why she charges what she does? It is obvious. Shes no nonsense, so I'd bet she would just keep it moving to the next person if you don't want to pay her rate.

You could go for a cheaper teacher.

I think its kind of rude to ask how she merits her price.

Hmm, a slightly different opinion here. If you take a very crude measurement of success with a teacher, your improvement in playing (and there are obviously other measurements too), the double price teacher should be able to get you playing better twice as quickly. And I really doubt they can.

I would try the other teachers too. Only then will you know if the markup is worth it.

I know we can't directly compare teacher prices but my teacher is $59 / hour in a pretty expensive area of the US. That's about 37 pounds ... she's a wonderful teacher.

Andy, I don't think your linear analogy works in this case...

Lets say we have two teachers:

teacher A ($50)
and
teacher B ($100)


Let's just pick random numbers to illustrate.
Your potential progress for one year:

With Teacher A: 50
With Teacher B: 70

So although you won't be able to progress at twice the speed, with teacher B you definitely learn more.

Makes sense?

I am often told "Oh, I can get English lessons for 15 euros an hour" and I say, "Sure you can- with someone who isn't a qualified teacher, with someone who has no experience with setting a syllabus, with someone who has no experience with exams, with someone who won't be able to answer your grammar questions, with someone who may not even be a native speaker, with someone who may be a native speaker and semi-literate, with someone who is a tourist hoping to pick up a bit of spending money." Go for it!


I don't mind saying why I cost more than another teacher, but in the end it comes down to what the student wants and what they can afford.

I don't think piano teachers are a lot different than English teachers, except that a lot of people who speak English seem to think they can teach it. I don't think that same percentage of piano players think they can teach piano.

You already know why she costs more -- the point is do you want to pay for what she can give you?

Well, I did say it was very crude. Yes, of course diminishing returns ... I still think that double the price seems a little steep unless the others are terrible. Presumably 60 pounds is a little expensive even in the UK?

Speaking as a former coach (sports 'teacher'), sometimes you get what you pay for and sometimes you just get ripped off.

The best teacher in the world is someone who understands how to motivate someone else. Someone who knows how to unlock that inner desire in a person and constantly give them encouragement, positive reinforcement as well as an ongoing incentive to do better.

This is MORE important than a fancy resume stating what the teacher has accomplished. Now if the teacher has an ongoing record of producing top-notch students then by all means pay the money. If not don't because you may be getting ripped off.

In my opinion, you should ask, but I believe this transcends music lessons.

If you have a sincere question about anything in life, you should ask: immediately.

If you ask a question of this type and your question is rebuffed, sidestepped or avoided . . THAT is your answer!

£60 really is the top price. If you don't get wowed straight off think again.

I'm guessing that one major cause for the greater cost of lessons is the fact that she is traveling to your home. There are gas expenses involved and the opportunity costs of time spent traveling that she could be spending teaching another student.

Do the price comparisons you have come from teachers who would similarly be coming to your house?

Avoid the view from the cheap seats.

Like Chopin r us says, it's at the top end.



They normally add a fiver or so on - no more than £40 in total for the other ones though, I'd say.


Thanks for the comments that have been posted. I agree with the comment that it is kind of rude to ask her, even though slightly paradoxically I think it's a reasonable thing to want to know.

I will just give her a try, along with possibly another teacher or two, and make a judgement based on that.

I agree with the notion that if she can really make my playing that much better than other teachers then it is ultimately worth the money. I'll just have to try and evaluate that as best I can with as much alacrity as I can muster.

Sounds interesting. Remember the saying: You get what you pay for.

You could try the Rossy plan... 120 pounds an hour and she wears a french maid outfit.

Expensive Teacher:

* "The most qualified teacher in the listings I read..."

* "...The only one with testimonials..."

* "...has a perfect exam pass rate."

* " I liked the cut of her jib when I spoke to her on the phone".

The Other Teachers:

* No testimonials.

* A less than perfect exam pass rate? (perhaps)

* No knowledge of how communication between me and them might be.

* ?

I would jump at the chance to study with the expensive teacher given that information, unless there was absolutely no way I could afford the extra expense, and then I would find a way to make the extra 20 pounds a week.

I don't know your area, but generally, the way teachers get pricier is by developing a reputation and following. They can charge what the market is willing to pay them when their ability is recognized.

Sometimes you can get a bargain, because in music some very able folks work for less than they are really worth. I've also known people just starting out who offer low rates to get their studios launched. They can be terrific, but you're also getting a discount for their lack of experience.

I think it's worth paying for the extra quality. I feel very lucky with my own teacher, to have the opportunity to study with someone great who charges more than some others (and also lucky to be able to afford it).

Perhaps this woman is actually charging for all of her time, instead of just adding a few pounds like her colleagues, to teach you in your home. In that case I admire her. Generally it is rare to find a top-drawer teacher willing to travel to you for piano lessons.

That said, I agree with other posters. Her fee may have no relationship to her teaching skills. She might be great, or she might be so-so (I would doubt she is outright incompetent). Clearly you found her via an ad, not a personal referral: the one thing we know about her is that she is successful at writing ad copy.

"Friendly but no-nonsense" and "perfect exam pass rate" would set off alarm bells for me - that's the last thing I would be seeking as an adult returning to the piano - but I'm not you. By all means meet with her.

You might also mention to her that her teaching rate is so much higher than everyone else's in the region, and see how she responds. That will tell you plenty. If you like your initial meeting with her and are still unsure, you could ask her if you can speak to one of her students.

Peter (piano teacher and specialist in the adult piano learner)

You're a "lapsed" player who has decided to give it a try again, and to do so you purchased a grand?

Your first question should have been: should I really make the big investment in a grand to undertake an often tedious and frustrating long term endeavor that very well may lapse again? Wouldn't a reasonably priced digital have been a much better choice in the beginning, at least until you got to the point where you were fairly sure you were "lapse-proof"?

But, now that you've done so (bought the grand) perhaps to have the best chance of staving off that lapse you should give very serious consideration to paying the price for the best teacher available; one who will keep you interested and motivated in spite of all the difficulties of piano study (which may or may not be the best teacher from a technical standpoint).

After all, compared to the price of the grand an expensive teacher is a bargain. If you lapse again you'll lose money on the resale of the grand, and beat yourself up for your apparent impetuosity.

Trap

I don't think I was completely clear. I'm lapsed in the sense of having formal lessons and really pushing myself - I've never stopped playing fully and always have and always will love to play. I've had a digital piano the past 10 years and bought the grand now I've moved out of my flat to a house. It's something I've always wanted and even in the (highly unlikely) event that I never push on beyond where I am now I still have a lovely instrument to play all the stuff I play at the moment.

Once upon a time I knew a piano teacher at Peabody in Baltimore. I asked him what he charged for private lessons. It was about forty times what I paid to Mrs. X, who was getting me started as an adult beginner then. The maestro said I wouldn't get anything out of his lessons, either, because he taught how to win competitions.

No, it wasn't completely clear - "lapse" generally means to discontinue, or miss, or allow to expire - "slacked-off" or "de-intensified" might have been better - but then glad you got the grand you always wanted - someday maybe me too - as far as a teacher goes, get the best you can afford, although that may be the one who gives you the most motivation & encouragement & fun, and not necessarily the one with the most experience & knowledge - however, are you sure you even need one?

Trap

The first verb definition on dictionary.com reads "to fall or deviate from a previous standard; fail to maintain a normative level" which is apt for my situation. In any case, I could have still been clearer that I hadn't completely stopped playing.

And yep, I do think I need a teacher to whip me into shape, identify my flaws and help me methodically improve them.

Regarding your initial question...if there was any way I could afford it, I would start with this "pricey teacher" and then apply the "tincture of time".
(I would consider the savings in travel time a big plus.)

Hi TheHound - start with teacher and see how it goes for awhile and then decide what to do next.

When I was looking for a teacher last year I contacted several. Some never returned my call or emails at all! This was a real put off!!

Of the 2 that did I met both of them. One charges $45 per half hour and the other $22. Both taught out of their homes. I met the first one. She was nice but just didn't seem to listen to what I was saying. She spent a lot of time playing a variety of pieces telling me I could play these too. She didn't ask me anything about my goals, direction, etc. Again I just simply felt she wasn't listening even when I kept trying to interject into her playing.

The second teacher I met listened, asked me what I wanted to achieve, and got me to play what I could. I don't think we had an instant connection or anything like that but she listened and that seemed the clincher for me!!

I contacted the first teacher to let her know my decision and she never even responded!! Again a put off! very unprofessional behavior I think. How did she know that ultimately I may not come back to her?

Both of these teachers have very high credentials. Both were registered teachers. If I remember both also performed in the past. Both play very well. But for me, one just Never felt right. Like we couldn't communicate. I didn't take the decision lightly. I really thought about it hard. But in the end if I left a lesson and felt I wasn't being heard I think I would just feel frustrated.

So far I've been with my current teacher 8 months. My son also started lessons about 5 months ago. Things are going well. She knows her stuff and I try my best to learn it. When I can't seem to get it she shows me something differently. She will have me repeat things that make me struggle. She is kind (probably too kind to me!!) yet firm. She is a good teacher. So as it's working out right now we will continue!!

Perhaps you could ask several of her current or past students about her and if the higher price was worth it to them and why?

Every other week would work until your money situation improves.

Or, you can do and "interview/trial week" and meet with maybe three or so teachers and see what you think.

It's true you get what you pay for but some people can over or under inflate their prices. But, if you really feel the pricey teacher has the best qualifications and you like the trial lesson then I'd say it's worth the $. And she's going to you so that saves on time and gas/petrol $

If I were in this situation...
I would ask her for once every other week.
Won't cost anymore than you were planning on.
She may surprise you...May be more than you can handle every other week.
Give her a good shot.

Less of really good is better than more of mediocrity.

I'll never forget a very expensive maid I had once. Recommendation said don't worry about the money. So I ignored it and gave her a try. She was great. To sum it up...She was the most inexpensive maid I ever had. And no Rossy...she didn't wear a French maid outfit.

I'm forking out A$80 for a weekly one hour lesson that I travel to. The first year my teacher charged A$50 then came $75. I want to get my diploma as soon as my abilities allow me to. That is highly dependable on getting the best teacher I can get. My teacher is pricy no doubt, but I've learned a lot in less than 2 years (after not having lessons for 18 years). I never dreamt of playing Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov, Brahms, Ravel, Prokofiev etc. so soon, but I am!

With the other teacher (before my current teacher), she was charging A$85 per hour lesson. She had me practice scales and Czerny. I would have been happy to stay with her back then. I progressed way faster with the current teacher.

With the previous teacher, I was aiming for Grade 8 exam. With this one, he has opened up possibilities for a diploma exam.

I don't know how to help you but to share my example. A$50 = absolutely fantastic teacher. A$85 = reasonably ok teacher. $50 teacher has far better credentials then $85 teacher. Maybe don't narrow your search to one but do try a few before deciding. Sometimes being the most expensive doesn't mean the best.

Good luck!

to take advantage of what a good teacher can offer, one has to be a receptive student.

I paid one what at the time I thought was way too much.. in retrospect it was totally worth it. I teach a variety of nontraditional students.. I told one that her talking was cutting into what i could offer her in the time we chose to learn.

it is a shared experience.

Appreciate all the comments - they are helping me think about this from different angles and providing me with a number of perspectives. I'm meeting her tomorrow so will have a better idea then. If all goes really well then I'm considering the idea of starting with every other week and seeing how that goes.

We've spent so much time attending to this issue of price that we have neglected something basic. Ask this lady to tell you a little about her experiences with teaching adults, and her views on the differences between teaching piano to adults and to children.

She may simply maintain that there is no difference in teaching a 10-year-old and a 50-year-old. Or similarly, she might even be stumped by your questions. Or resentful of them.

If so, she's a typical myopic, goal-driven piano teacher of kids - and you deserve someone better.