Studio Business

Why Piano Teachers Should Charge a Flat Monthly Fee for Lessons (And How to Calculate It)

When I relocated my piano studio after grad school, a colleague gave me advice that shaped my entire business model: charge via a flat monthly fee. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would work. But after hearing out my colleague and implementing it, I found it improved multiple aspects of my studio I hadn’t expected one change to address.

That same system has served me well for years, and I’ve watched other teachers adopt it with similar results. If you’ve been curious about flat monthly fees but weren’t sure where to start, this guide is for you.

In this article, I’ll make the case for flat monthly fees, explain how the system works, and show you exactly how to calculate your rate. You’ll also find answers to common questions that may arise.

Continue reading “Why Piano Teachers Should Charge a Flat Monthly Fee for Lessons (And How to Calculate It)”
improving as a teacher, Professional Development, Studio Business

Determining Tuition Rates for Piano Teaching

Every once in a while, I receive emails from readers wondering if their tuition rates are appropriate.  Setting rates is a difficult topic to talk about, because for one thing, rate depend largely on the area where you live.  For that reason, I can’t advise exact numbers — but with this article I hope to offer some guidelines and suggestions regarding this topic nevertheless.

The Problem

I’m sure we’ve all experienced parents/students who are shopping for piano lessons by price.  Let’s face it: many parents today (especially in America) shop for piano teachers based on price, even though they really should be “shopping” based on the teacher’s experience, education, professionalism, dedication, etc..  Parents shop by price because in their logic, little 6-year-old Suzie doesn’t need an expensive teacher unless they discover that she has a talent for piano and long-term interest.  And they don’t know any better.  Continue reading “Determining Tuition Rates for Piano Teaching”