How Much Are Piano Lessons? Learn to Find Piano Lesson Deals

So, you're researching how much piano lessons cost.

Congratulations! You've come to the right place.

As a parent or adult student new to piano lessons, it can be overwhelming to figure out how much piano lessons should cost. Let's face it...there are a lot of options out there. And the prices are all over the map.

In this post, we'll give you everything you need to learn how much quality piano lessons should cost in your area.

Whether lessons are for your kids, or yourself.

And, we'll teach you how to find the best deal for a piano teacher that will fit within your budget.

What does a good deal on piano lessons look like?

This question is what leads most students to quit piano.

Why? Because parents and adult students tend to opt for the cheapest or most convenient option for piano teachers.

Don't get us wrong. We don't want you to go broke or drive 50 miles for piano lessons.

But the odds that you'll discover someone who's...

• an amazing teacher...
• the cheapest in the area...
• and lives in your hometown...

...are pretty slim.

And so, our first piece of advice is to be cautious about selecting a teacher based solely on the cost and/or the convenience.

Our definition of a good deal for piano lessons will fit the following two criteria for any family:

1. The price fits within your budget.

Like we said, we don't want you to go broke trying to pay for piano lessons. But, we don't want you to opt for the cheapest option either.

As you explore options, figure out what works for your budget to find the best piano teacher you can afford.

You can explore the cheaper options, but be aware that these teachers tend to be less experienced. Or, their main career is in something else, and teaching is just to make some extra money on the side.

2. They're the most skilled teacher you can find.

All piano lessons are not created equal. We'll explore how to assess the quality of teachers later in this article. But for now, know that, to make your investment in piano lessons worth it, you need to find the most skilled piano teacher you can find.

One who is not only skilled at teaching, but also at connecting with students on an emotional level.

How Much Are Piano Lessons Where You Live? The Ranges Will Vary.

Depending on which part of the country or world you live in, the price ranges for piano lessons will vary.

A piano teacher in California can charge $130/hour due to the high cost of living.

In Massachusetts, our tuition is $88/hour, which would be considered cheap in California.

But in Mississippi or Alabama, both of these would be considered very high tuition rates.

And so, as a prospective student, how can you figure out what a reasonable minimum cost is for your new piano teacher?

As you're exploring prices, this question will tell you everything you need to know:

In my area, is this a wage someone can live on working 20-25 hours per week?

If the answer is no, then move on to another teacher who is charging more.

Otherwise, you'll be signing up with a teacher who is either struggling financially, or is working a non-teaching job to pay the bills. Either of these scenarios will result in a lower quality of teaching.

If the answer is yes, then you have found a teacher worth exploring further.

How Much Are Piano Lessons for Young Children? Are They Cheaper?

A common misconception is that piano lessons for younger beginners should be cheaper. After all, it's just pushing keys down, right?

Wrong...very wrong.

And this is another trap that parents fall into. Leading their kids to not only stop lessons, but be turned off to music long term.

The reality is, the younger the student is, the more skilled the teacher needs to be. And an experienced, skilled teacher for young students is worth their weight in gold.

This is a teacher who understands how young children learn. And how they learn in the most natural, organic way possible.

Suzuki-certified piano teachers are trained and experienced in working with these younger age groups around age 2-6. Piano teachers who are trained and experienced in Music Learning Theory are also a great match for younger children.

But, because these teachers have specialized training, experience, and are often booked, the cost will be higher.

If you go with the cheaper option for young children, you'll likely find a more "traditional" teacher. If this teacher accepts young children, they'll likely have them use a method book. 

This is where things go south. Because most traditional method books begin with music reading right away.

And when you introduce a young child to music reading too early, it ceases to be music.

Why?

Because they haven't had a chance to experience music yet, in the way an early-childhood specialist will teach it.

So, trying to decode the notes on the page becomes a frustrating puzzle for the child. Which then turns the child off to music altogether and leads to the end of piano lessons.

If your kids are age 6 or under, be sure to keep this in mind when assessing the cost of lessons. Because with the right teacher, your kids will have a musical foundation that can set them up for a lifelong love of music.

With a cheaper teacher, this outcome is very unlikely.

How Do You Know if a Piano Teacher is Worth the Cost?

Just because a teacher is more expensive, this doesn't necessarily equal quality.

But there are some simple ways you can figure out whether a teacher is worth the cost. Both before you begin, and then once you officially begin lessons.

Ask a few questions before beginning lessons.

There are a few questions you can ask that will help you tell the pro teachers apart from the deadwood. These will help you figure out whether a teacher is the right fit for the cost, all before you begin.

1. What is your philosophy of teaching?

This question will weed out about 90% of the teachers who will not be a good fit for you or your kids. Good piano teachers have thought about this and refined it over time. 

They'll be able to explain their philosophy of teaching, and the outcomes they expect for their students. Most importantly, they'll explain this in such a way that you understand it.

If the teacher is at a loss for words, or immediately starts listing off method books, you may want to move on.

2. What materials do you like to use and why?

Once a teacher has explained their philosophy, they should be able to explain which materials they use that align with this philosophy. Again, the most important thing is that this is explained in such a way that you understand it.

This is a potential teacher, after all. So if they can't explain things clearly, then it may be a sign for what you can expect if you decide to sign up.

3. Are there any performance or social opportunities?

Outside of the weekly one-on-one lessons, performance opportunities are very important. That's why at South Shore Piano School, we offer two recital opportunities for students every month.

And they keep students excited about lessons for longer.

If a teacher offers these opportunities on a regular basis, then you can expect this to be factored into the cost. But, this will be well worth the investment for yourself or your kids.

Continue asking these questions once you start lessons.

Once you begin lessons, you can't take your hands off the steering wheel. As you or your kids continue lessons, you'll want to be sure to ask these questions on an ongoing basis.

1. Are the assignments clear so we know exactly what to do at home?

Good communication is extremely important for success in piano lessons. In every lesson, a good piano teacher gives assignments in writing so the students know what to work on in between lessons.

This practice at home is where most of the progress is made.

But, some teachers rely on their students to remember the assignments (which rarely works out). And other times, the assignments might not be clear.

If this is the case, be sure to say something to your teacher so it's clear what to do for the week's practice.

2. Is there noticeable improvement in the lesson itself?

When a good student follows a good teacher's instructions, you should see some progress. However small it might be.

Seems obvious, right? This often goes overlooked, though.

If you find that you're leaving a lesson not having learned anything, be sure to speak up. A good piano teacher is passionate about making sure kids and parents understand what's happening in lessons.

And so, if you need to ask questions, they should be welcomed.

If they're not, then it might be time to consider another option.

Don't Forget the Cost of Supplies and Materials

When you sign up for piano lessons, you will need an instrument for at-home practice, as well as piano books.

A good piano teacher can send you recommendations for instruments from a local dealer. They'll also send links for the books and materials to get started.

At minimum, plan to spend at least $500 on either a quality keyboard or an acoustic piano.

If you're not sure whether to invest in a keyboard or an acoustic piano, we always recommend an acoustic piano.

Why?

Because an acoustic piano has all the moving parts, hammers, and strings to produce the sound. And so, when children learn on an acoustic piano, they have a better sense of healthy sound production.

A keyboard, by contrast, sets off pre-recorded sounds based on how each key touches a sensor. It's like playing a computer.

That being said, if you're hesitant about the investment in an acoustic piano, a keyboard is better than nothing. And keyboards have gotten better and better over time.

If you invest in a keyboard, at minimum you will need something that's 88 keys and touch-sensitive. Touch sensitive means you can play louder and softer based on how fast you strike the keys.

We've found that instruments selling for under $500 are basically toys. And this will set you up for failure.

It would be like taking tennis lessons with a ping pong racket.

We believe the best keyboard for the cost on the market is the Yamaha P71.

The cost of materials will vary depending on the teacher. But, you should plan on spending in the ballpark of $20-$50 on materials when you begin lessons.

In Summary

The world of piano you're about to embark on is an exciting one, but can be overwhelming at first. Especially when you're assessing the costs.

By taking the time to use this guide to help you find the best piano teacher at an affordable price, you'll be setting yourself up for success from day one!

Comment below with any questions!

Or, if you want to give lessons at South Shore Piano School a try (online or in person), you can schedule a free trial lesson with us here.

Best wishes on your piano adventure!