Why do music teachers charge so much for piano lessons?

Question

I know studio time is included in cost, but why do lessons have to be so expensive? I respect a music teacher's dedication to service and the countless years they've spent studying at college but the price has gone up recently and I'm trying to bite the bullet but it's hard to do so. Should I just sign up at my college or stay where I am now? Music is my pride and joy along with computers and accounting but I don't know how to tell the instructor the truth about the cost. Are there any alternatives?

Answer 1

If you expect to get a quality lesson from someone who has spent years perfecting a skill and how to teach it (pedagogy) you need to realize that the price comes along with that. It's an investment in your development and your knowledge of something that a lot of people can't do.

I took lessons for 13 years and throughout my high school years my mom and dad shelled out $40 a lesson (45 minutes). It was very expensive, and it was hard for them, but I can play and read anything and it paid my way through undergrad.

It's worth it if you're serious about it.

Answer 2

Qualified music teachers spent years for their professional training and invested lots of money to get their credentials.

When you sign up for qualified teachers (instead of just somebody who knows how to play piano), you are also getting their involvement with local music teacher association - this will let you participate in many festivals, piano workshops, etc.

Music teaching is a profession just like any other profession.

Music teachers sometimes face stiff competition from unqualified piano players who have only learned piano a few years and try to make a part time living offering cheap piano lessons to neighboorhood kids. Many of these part time teachers have no proper training and provide incorrect methods in their teaching. It is these teachers that give the wrong information to the public thinking piano lessons should be inexpensive.

If money is an issue - they are many piano dvd courses you can take. Such as:

http://www.yokewong.net

Answer 3

it's probably not because of their dedication or years of training.  they have to buy food, gas and pay rent, like everyone.  They are earning a living to live from the lessons.  The alternative would be to practice a lot more on your own and take fewer lessons - trying to get more out of each lesson

Answer 4

I would assume that your teacher's recent increase in the cost of lessons has to do with the current state of the economy.

As I'm sure you know, prices are increasing for everything.  Its possible that your teacher's overhead expenses had to be increased, and the lesson cost needed to be adjusted accordingly.  Or that your teacher determined that he/she was no longer able to meet day-to-day expenses without raising lesson rates.

You could try discussing the cost with the instructor - perhaps he/she might feel its better to give you a discount rather than lose you entirely.  You never know unless you ask!