How Cheap Music Lessons Cost You More

Music education is an unregulated field. Meaning, it doesn't require a license to legally charge money for lessons.

Whether you have a doctorate in piano, or your only qualification is discovering a 61-key keyboard in your grandfather's attic, it's all the same in the eyes of capitalism.

This makes it harder for the music teachers who want to earn a livable wage. Because there will always be teachers who will work for whatever price you want.

Heck, they'll even drive to your house to do it.

Every worthwhile teacher loses potential students every year because there are cheaper options.

But, there are substantial costs to cheap music lessons. Costs that far outweigh the money that appears to be saved every month.

I mean, think about it. If a teacher is giving bargain rates, do you think this is the teacher's main gig?

Doubtful, unless the teacher is giving a ton of lessons every week.

But then, if the teacher is giving a ton of lessons every week, is that teacher energized and passionate, or overwhelmed and burned out?

We've had many transfer students come to us from the cheaper alternative, and in the big picture it has always ended up more expensive.

Here's why.

First, there is the lost progress that could have been made.

Yes, the lessons were a deal. But when you consider the fact that Sally has to start from scratch again to build a foundation, in retrospect all of that money was wasted.

And then, there's the emotional hole that needs to be dug out of. Kids generally don't like taking steps backwards to be able to move forwards.

Cheap lessons create this problem that could have been avoided.

Now, you're looking at convincing a child that some review is a necessary step, and helping them to build some momentum through discouragement.

And finally (though the list could go on, we want to make this a readable blog post), there is the ripple effect.

An experience with a cheap music teacher can extend generations. A child's bad experience leads them to grow up, become a parent, and not give her own kids the opportunity.

Either because it wasn't a meaningful experience, or it was a negative experience she wouldn't wish on them. 

Kids carry more experiences than we can ever appreciate.

Every year, parents go bargain shopping to find music lessons at the best deal possible.

But ironically, in the end, cheap music lessons could be one of the costliest decisions any parent ever makes.