Dec 09
18

How much to pay for guitar lessons?

4 Comments

My 10 year old daughter will be starting guitar lesson this week. The 20 year old son of a good friend is giving them to her. Nobody has any idea how much they cost, nowhere within 60 miles of where I live gives them. This guy is a good guitar player, but has never given lessons. Does anybody have any ideas on what to pay him? Thanks in advance!

If it’s 1 on 1 training, then it’s going to be more expensive. I use to pay $35 per session, which was 50 minutes each. It was with an experienced musician, with a degree from Berklee school of music. His dad is actually a very famous guitar player, and he himself has played concerts with his dad, and other musicians like Eddie Money. I’ve seen guitar players charge $45-$70/hr, and these aren’t guys with any professional training.

I would make sure he knows what he’s doing. He should provide her with lessons and tab/sheet music. Just because he’s a good guitar player, doesn’t mean he’s a good teacher… but it also doesn’t mean that he will be bad at it either. For the most part, I’m sure he’ll be able to give her some tips and get her started off in the right direction.

So, if there is no other guitar teacher within 60 miles of you, then make sure you ask the guy what he wants to get paid. If it’s not worth it to him and he starts flaking on you or your daughter doesn’t seem to improve at all, then it’s time to get some video’s and lesson books and learn on your own.

Anyways, $45/hr wouldn’t be a bad rate. Remember, if it’s only $15/hr and he gives her a lesson once a week, then it may not be worth his time… I wouldn’t do it for $15 a week. BUT, if he has plans to give lessons in big groups, then that would be fine. I was getting charged $150 when I first started, and it was a group of 4 kids. I got 4 lessons per month for 1 hr per lesson… so that was pretty expensive.

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Posted in guitar lessons by Brian Nisbet 4 Comments

4 Responses to "How much to pay for guitar lessons?"

  • Rory~ Negative Creep says:
    December 19, 2009 at 1:44 am

    Hmm, well I pay 15 euro…so about $20 dollars an hour, but this is to a professional with over 40 years experience.

    So maybe $10-15 dollars a lesson would be fair.

    But then again it comes down to the most you will pay and the least he will take.

    Hope that gives you some idea.
    References :

  • Guitarpicker says:
    December 19, 2009 at 1:51 am

    Much of guitar teaching prices depends upon your locale. In New York it is common for $35 and hour while in Louisiana an hour would run about $20.

    I haven’t changed my prices in many years, charging $10 a half-hour for the student to come to my home and $12.50 if I travel to their place. An hour would average $20.
    References :
    Guitar picker of 53 years

  • Adam D says:
    December 19, 2009 at 2:04 am

    If it’s 1 on 1 training, then it’s going to be more expensive. I use to pay $35 per session, which was 50 minutes each. It was with an experienced musician, with a degree from Berklee school of music. His dad is actually a very famous guitar player, and he himself has played concerts with his dad, and other musicians like Eddie Money. I’ve seen guitar players charge $45-$70/hr, and these aren’t guys with any professional training.

    I would make sure he knows what he’s doing. He should provide her with lessons and tab/sheet music. Just because he’s a good guitar player, doesn’t mean he’s a good teacher… but it also doesn’t mean that he will be bad at it either. For the most part, I’m sure he’ll be able to give her some tips and get her started off in the right direction.

    So, if there is no other guitar teacher within 60 miles of you, then make sure you ask the guy what he wants to get paid. If it’s not worth it to him and he starts flaking on you or your daughter doesn’t seem to improve at all, then it’s time to get some video’s and lesson books and learn on your own.

    Anyways, $45/hr wouldn’t be a bad rate. Remember, if it’s only $15/hr and he gives her a lesson once a week, then it may not be worth his time… I wouldn’t do it for $15 a week. BUT, if he has plans to give lessons in big groups, then that would be fine. I was getting charged $150 when I first started, and it was a group of 4 kids. I got 4 lessons per month for 1 hr per lesson… so that was pretty expensive.
    References :

  • Lester G says:
    December 19, 2009 at 2:48 am

    I pay $30 an hour but my teacher is a top professional. I’d pay substantially less than that to someone who has never taught before.
    References :

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