Price of Lessons

[AMp'D.2play]

Yes, for the NY Metro area I would say $60 is a reasonable hourly rate. Reasonable in that you could probably find cheaper (and more expensive for that matter). The value to you will depend on what you're getting out of it.

I've taken lessons from 2 different instructors near me that charged $30/half hour and $45/45 minutes, i.e., a dollar a minute. I wasn't getting much out of either of them so I moved on.

My current instructor charges $50/hour and he's really good. If he charged $60 I'd still remain one of his students.

[Anonymatt]

I pay $40/hr for my lesson in Brooklyn. $60 is totally reasonable for an hour of a professional's time, but I really appreciate a lower rate.
$40 is just low enough that I can go in there even if I haven't practiced and not feel bad about wasting my money if we're mostly going to be going over lots of the same material.
It's a lot like personal training or therapy. I really think that the teacher's most important role over the long term is the pacing of your work over the material and to adjust your physical approach (or give you a model to work from).
I think a half-hour is too short unless you're talking about multiple teachers for different disciplines. Maybe a half hour rate is a fair way to pro-rate for the odd lesson that just doesn't work out w/ you and your teacher's schedules. NYC is too much nonsense to go someplace for a half hour.

[bassix67]

Google Buddy Booker in NYC. He's a very respected teacher and doesn't charge a bunch.

[RustyAxe]

$50-60 per hour around here, so I hear.

[dvlmusic]

I live in the SF Bay area and my standard rate is $60 per hour. A quick poll of my friends says that it's the current going rate here.

[catcauphonic]

In Seattle I'm on my second instructor. First one was $45 per hr, latest one is $50 ... although I have found offers as low as $25 from great musicians who don't normally teach.

So I would say YES, for your area $60 seems reasonable as long as the lessons are helpful to you. Edit: I personally don't think half hour lessons are enough time to get going and gather enough info to practice till the next lesson, thus not worth it IMO

[bassinplace]

That's what I'm paying. Just had my first lesson ever last week. He seems pretty good so I'm gonna go for it for a bit and see how it goes. Everyone else around my neck of the woods charges about the same, so I'd feel doubtful about the skill level of anyone charging less.

[oniman7]

Originally Posted by catcauphonic

In Seattle I'm on my second instructor. First one was $45 per hr, latest one is $50 ... although I have found offers as low as $25 from great musicians who don't normally teach.

So I would say YES, for your area $60 seems reasonable as long as the lessons are helpful to you. Edit: I personally don't think half hour lessons are enough time to get going and gather enough info to practice till the next lesson, thus not worth it IMO

For a dedicated adult, I agree about half hour lessons. Typically students under 14 lose attention after about a half hour and for a hobbyist an hour might be too much depending on the person.

[MarkMgibson]

Yeah, the 30 minutes lessons are a waste of money.