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(Bass) Guitar Lessons - How Much in Your Area?

How much (in U$D) per HALF HOUR of lessons in your area?

  • Less Than $20

    Votes: 5 15.6%

  • $20.01 -- $30.00

    Votes: 9 28.1%

  • $30.01 -- $40.00

    Votes: 6 18.8%

  • $40.01 -- $50.00

    Votes: 7 21.9%

  • $50.01 -- $60.00

    Votes: 2 6.3%

  • $60.01 -- $70.00

    Votes: 2 6.3%

  • $70.01 -- $80.00

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • $80.01 -- $90.00

    Votes: 1 3.1%

  • $90.01 -- $100.00

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • More Than $100

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    32
comatosedragon

comatosedragon

Oct 12, 2014
1,840
2,959
Rockingham VA {616}
#1
*I UNDERSTAND ANYBODY CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS THREAD IS ABOUT.*​


I'm starting this because a very recent thread about a new user really got me thinking.
He or She mentioned that they get guitar lessons (unclear if bass or guitar) for under $30 per half an hour.

I thought this was crazy, because the ONE lesson I ever took in my life was 45 minutes and cost $119. Might be part of the reason I only ever took one lesson.

As I have stated before; I live in an area with very few musicians. I had done some research, and the couple of guys I could find seem to charge between $80-$90 for a half hour lesson.

So, I am curious as to what the real world dictates should be a 'fair' (read: average) price for bass (or guitar) lessons.

I would also be interested to hear from those of you who offer lessons.


* Let's try to do this in United States Dollars. Here is a handy currency converter, if you need one:
Currency Converter | Foreign Exchange Rates | OANDA
* The Poll is for HALF HOUR RATES. If you take an hour lesson, do the easy math to come up with the 30 min version
 
#3
Hmm. Well, from the 3 responses so far, (very tiny sample size obviously) It seems that the mean value is around $50 per half hour.

Can't wait for more responses!

(BTW, If a moderator sees this, please move the thread to the MISC forum. It will probably get more accurate poll results that way)
 
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#7
lfmn16 said:
With Skype, there is no "your area." You can take lessons from around the world.
Click to expand...

I think Skype is a good tool for learning certain skills like languages or coding, or maybe even cooking. But for something where ergonomics, touch and feel is important, I think it is not the best medium for learning. Obviously it is far better than nothing though.
I also feel that on Skype you may not have 100% of the instructor's attention as they are very likely catering to several students at once.
 
#8
comatosedragon said:
I think Skype is a good tool for learning certain skills like languages or coding, or maybe even cooking. But for something where ergonomics, touch and feel is important, I think it is not the best medium for learning. Obviously it is far better than nothing though.
I also feel that on Skype you may not have 100% of the instructor's attention as they are very likely catering to several students at once.
Click to expand...
Have you ever used Skype? The instructor is right there on your screen. How can they be catering to several students at once? I've never had an instructor need to touch me, nor have I ever had a need to touch them. As for ergonomics, you may need to move the camera if the instructor needs to watch you play from a different angle, but it's not an insurmountable problem.

I find it odd that you think cooking may be a good application for Skype when smell and taste are so important to that skill.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion, but I don't think the objections you mentioned are valid.
 
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#9
lfmn16 said:
Have you ever used Skype? The instructor is right there on your screen. How can they be catering to several students at once?
Click to expand...
I have. It is easy to set up multiple windows (on the instructor side) so they can view several different students at once. The only real limit to the number of simultaneous viewers is bandwidth.
lfmn16 said:
I've never had an instructor need to touch me, nor have I ever had a need to touch them. As for ergonomics, you may need to move the camera if the instructor needs to watch you play from a different angle, but it's not an insurmountable problem.
Click to expand...
This made me laugh. Got to love the internet! I wasn't talking about the instructor touching you or vice versa; I meant how you hold your bass, posture, helping you get your hands / arms to the 'correct' angles, helping you find proper sitting technique, stuff like that. I should have worded it better, sorry. Although sometimes I think it would be useful for the instructor to "guide" your hands with his. Kind of like Mr Miyagi showed Daniel-san how to hold the paintbrush.

Anyway, thanks for contributing! We seem to be at an average of about $35 per half hour right now, which is still less than half price compared to my area. :):bassist:
 
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#12
comatosedragon said:
Of course you would.
?:eyebrow:
I don't understand the question. It's not like they are trying to hide something from you, that's not what I was implying.
Click to expand...
I've never seen or heard of a teacher using Skype to teach multiple students. That's not professional and it would hurt their business. This is a really bizarre aspect to bring up.
 
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#13
I only know a handful of non-professional teachers, that is, they have no license or training. Good players, nice guys, but not pros.

The going rate around here is about twenty dollars per half hour. Most seem to take 45 minute lessons once a week. Considering the price of living around here, that's insanely cheap (and one of the reasons it's not quite worth the hassle for me to do it). Of course it still pays better than your average minimum wage job.

No idea what the professionals or the music schools take, sorry.
 
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#14
Nashrakh said:
The going rate around here is about twenty dollars per half hour. Most seem to take 45 minute lessons once a week. Considering the price of living around here, that's insanely cheap (and one of the reasons it's not quite worth the hassle for me to do it). Of course it still pays better than your average minimum wage job.
Click to expand...

That is insanely cheap! Yet another reason to move .... lol
 
#16
It ultimately depends on the teacher. In my experience an hour long lesson is the norm, and I personally don't teach anything less. Privately anyway, in schools I've got about half that. Generally I find orchestral players charged more than jazz musicians. Bass guitar players vary from peanuts per half hour to about $50 per hour (converting £ to $ here). I've also found that when it comes to bass guitar that very few people teaching it are really qualified to teach the instrument let alone music. I adjust my own rates each year due to inflation or whatever, it's part of my business and I have to treat it as such. As such I'm about $40 per hour.

The most I've paid for a lesson is $100 for an hour and those were with some big name people. Ultimately though I actually don't really have any issue paying a lot for regular lessons with a truly great teacher, it's an investment in your playing. Especially if you are/your goal is playing professionally.
 
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#17
It would depend on the instructor.

There is a local instructor who charges well over $100 /hr a decade ago for double bass, but he is the Jedi master when it comes to getting students into Juilliard and other top schools.

I wonder what GC charges?
 
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#18
At one point, I took lessons for years with a pretty well known, and well respected teacher and while I don't think it's appropriate to say what he charged at that time, I feel it was very reasonable, considering the level of instruction I was getting.

I was only taking 30 minute lessons, but the thing is that if you are getting good instruction, you don't need an hours worth. I could spend months working on material that he took maybe 15 minutes to explain.
 
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#19
I'm in Central Florida and mostly chain store price of about $25 per half hour. The problem is nobody has an actual "bass" teacher. They have guitar teachers that teach bass and this is what they say to me once I tell them I already know how to play. One store had an actual bass teacher. 45 minutes from my home and only there when I am at work.

Dave LaRue is just over an hour away and once again, only on Saturdays when I have to work. Not sure what he charges.
 
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