If you so happen to be interested in taking piano lessons either for yourself or for your children, the first question, naturally, is how much will it cost to take these piano lessons?
Well, there are several factors that may influence the overall price. One-on-one lessons with a private music instructor can work out more expensive when compared to online lessons, so it’s imperative that you choose the right teacher for your specific level and needs.
Even though there are usually standard rates for piano lessons, there is still a wide variety of rates that teachers can charge for their time. Some of the main factors that will influence the cost to take piano lessons will include:
- teacher's experience and qualifications
- geography
- length lessons
- kids lessons
It's important to understand all the factors that affect the cost to take piano lessons before you go ahead and decide on which teacher to go for. Weigh up all your options and find a teachers suitable to your specific requirement.
Teacher's Qualifications
The experience level of the piano teacher you are considering lessons with as well as their qualification level will have a significant effect on the price you will be paying per lesson.
The more experienced the teacher, the more you will pay for a piano lesson with them. The same thing goes for their level of qualification.
Also remember that with or without qualifications, every teacher has different rates so it will always be helpful to ask each prospective teacher what they charge before you go ahead and sign up.
Something else to consider is college students or graduates. They may be younger and have less experience, but don’t underestimate the amount of time and dedication it takes to get that music degree.
Also, being fresh out of university, their lesson rates will be more affordable than a teacher with 10-20 years under their belt, which means you get the same knowledge without having to pay through your teeth to get it.
Geography
Where you have your piano lessons will also make a big difference to how much you will be paying. Obviously, not everyone is lucky enough to have a decent piano or keyboard at home, which means that you would have to travel to your teacher’s studio/classroom in order to practice and partake in the lessons. So be sure to factor in your transport costs.
If you are fortunate enough to have a piano or keyboard at home, online piano lessons could serve to cut transport costs.
On the downside, however, this would mean that you would not have your teacher physically present to assist you with things such as posture and correct hand and finger positions over the keys. With that in mind, some people may prefer to pay that little extra to have that full learning experience.
Lesson length
If you are taking piano lessons for the first time, most teachers usually recommend starting out with 30 minute sessions, and as you learn and improve, you can go to full hour lessons.
As discussed above, a 30-minute piano lesson is a lot more affordable than a full hour, and sometimes (unless you are at a more advanced level) an hour can be too much.
Talk to your piano teacher about how long your lessons should be and he/she will most likely make a recommendation based on you skill and experience level. If you haven’t had any lessons with the teacher before, an initial session with your teacher should determine what you need and how long you piano lessons should be from then on.
Kids lessons
Lessons for children are generally cheaper than for adults. But it is important to make sure that the piano teacher you choose for your child has the appropriate teaching experience with children.
This is because kids are very different to teach than adults, and they require a great deal more patience to teach. That is why you will find that there are usually teachers that focus specifically on teaching either children or adults.
When it comes to piano lessons, the cheapest option is not always the best option, so make sure you know the level of experience as well as what kind of teaching methods your prospective piano teacher has.
How Much Will It Cost To Take Piano Lessons?
Half an hour lessons can sometimes cost between $15 and $35, but keep in mind that when you seek instructions from an experienced teacher with qualifications such as a masters or doctorate degree in music, their fees can jump up to $40 - $75 just for half an hour.
The same thing goes if you are wanting a full hour lesson which can start anywhere from $40 - $80, while a top-notch teacher can charge you $100 an hour or more for a single piano lesson.
Additional Costs
Lastly, there are usually additional and sometimes unforeseen costs that you may not have taken into account. These costs can include, for example, piano books and sheet music.
If you have a piano at home that you are using regularly, it is a good idea to get it tuned every few months and every time after its been moved around the house (obviously this does not apply to electronic keyboards).
A beginner piano book can cost you from $7 to $20 each, and if you go to competitions or recitals there are always participation or entry fees involved. Those fees will be subjective the events themselves.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a few factors to keep in mind before you can determine the overall cost to take piano lessons. Be sure to weigh up all your options, and if you've enrolled for some lessons and you feel that your piano teacher is not giving you your money's worth, don't feel shy to part ways.
Finding the right teacher that will help you progress towards your ultimate goal is the most important step to mastering the piano, and that is a priceless gift to have.
About the Author: Helen Baker
I am a freelance teacher and writer based in Ann Arbor, MI. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, I spent some time teaching English in Paris and, thereafter, returned to Ann Arbor where I was involved both in the media and academics. Currently I am a stay at home mom, working as a freelance writer and teacher. I love all my guitars and I also have an affinity towards old grand pianos. I love singing, traveling, reading, writing, watching films and spending quality time with my husband.