Misconception About Consultation Lessons? Options

[DocOx]

Hi,

I am new to the 'game' of finding a teacher (no such a thing where I come from!) and, after some research, I believe to have found a couple of (piano) teachers which I think might be good for me.

I have contacted one of them and she suggested having a consultation lesson. Maybe I am being naive, but I somehow assumed that such a lesson would be the occasion for her to 'sell' herself to me, and this at no cost to me. Anyway, now that we have finally agreed on a date and time, she's telling me that the consultation lesson will last 30 minutes and that it will cost me £25 (I am based just a few miles south of Oxford, in case it matters). Now, I have no idea whether this is 'normal' practice, hence I would appreciate you guys' view/experience on this matter.

Just in case, I am expecting (based on what I have read here and there) to have to pay £20-25 per hour for a 'proper' lesson, and I am completely 'OK' with that. I guess I just didn't expect having to pay £25 for a 30-minute consultation lesson.

Cheers, Alan.

PS: now thinking about it, maybe I should have inquired about costs before booking anything... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Panthera]

In my experience (of finding a teacher), it depends. My previous teacher did charge but would then "refund" the consultation lesson fee if you book for a block of regular lessons later on. My current teacher didn't charge for consultation. So best is to ask!

[BerkshireMum]

When my son changed piano teacher (some 5 or 6 years ago now) we paid for the consultation lesson at the same rate as normal lessons with that teacher. Even then we paid £28 per hour, so I think you may be hopeful if you expect to pay under £30 an hour in the Oxford area now. My son's current clarinet teacher (based in London) charges £40 per hour, but she is very good and he is at post-first diploma level.

Definitely best to ask about terms and conditions at your consultation lesson and take them into account when you decide which teacher you'd like to stay with.

[clavicembalo]

I think my teacher did charge for the consultation lesson. I know it didn't occur to me to ask whether there was a charge but he had stated his rate for lessons right at the start of our correspondence so with the session being an hour long, I just accepted the charge when it turned up added on to the bill for my first lesson. I have always paid by cheque there and then anyway, and since I was immediately taken by his approach, I had no qualms about coughing up the reddies, as it were!

My teacher also charges ?40 per hour, but again, we were tackling Diploma material from the start and I'm glad I didn't think twice about it. It's probably not dissimilar to getting used to driving a Bentley. Anything less now wouldn't really come up to the mark!

[maggiemay]

It may be partly a matter of terminology, Alan. (

I do not charge for a preliminary meeting. We can discuss any aspect of teaching that you like, and I will answer questions and ask you to tell me about yourself, but there is unlikely to be any actual teaching.

I charge for a 'trial lesson' or consultation lesson, if you like, at the normal rate. The concessionary part of this is that the student can book a one-off and there is no commitment.

This is how I regard it. The first is an opportunity to find out if you would like to book the second: not all potential students bother with a meeting, but many do and seem to find it helpful.

I hope this is at least partly useful. Other teachers may have their own descriptions and their own procedures which will be different from mine.

[skylark]

I have no idea whether this is 'normal' practice, hence I would appreciate you guys' view/experience on this matter.

When I first took up the clarinet, I had a introductory meeting with the teacher and it was made clear at the start that there wouldn't be any charge. I think it lasted 20-30 minutes. I can't remember whether I got my clarinet out or even whether I had a clarinet at that stage - I think it was mostly swapping information but I might be wrong.

When I changed clarinet teacher, the new teacher I approached had a brief chat with me over the phone and then asked me over for an introductory meeting for which she said there would be no charge. I took my clarinet and she was incredibly generous with her time. After 20 minutes chat, she asked me to play something, and it then turned into a lesson. Altogether I was there for about 50 minutes and she refused to accept any payment. I certainly wouldn't expect this at an "introductory meeting" but I very much appreciated her generosity.

It was a bit different when I took up piano lessons. I didn't want to spend ages trying to find the "right" teacher, so I chose one who I thought sounded suitable and I was willing to start lessons straight away and see how it worked out. So the first meeting was a proper lesson and fortunately he's turned out to be an excellent teacher.

When I was trying to find a sax teacher, I ended up using a music service. I was charged for the session (and a higher charge than the "going rate") and it was a complete waste of time and money.

I have contacted one of them and she suggested having a consultation lesson.

>>>

I guess I just didn't expect having to pay £25 for a 30-minute consultation lesson.

As maggiemay has said, I agree it's a matter of terminology. "Consultation" implies that you're consulting someone for advice, which implies a charge. "Lesson" again implies a charge. On the other hand, if you're invited for a "chat" or a "preliminary/introductory meeting", I wouldn't expect a charge.

If you're not happy about it, perhaps you could telephone the teacher and ask what will happen in the "consultation lesson". If it is indeed going to be a lesson, perhaps you could explain that you weren't really expecting a 30-minute lesson and that you just wanted to meet for a brief chat to see if you were mutually happy to start a course of lessons subsequently... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) When you spoke on the phone, did you feel as if you covered enough ground to make a "brief chat" superfluous and a lesson was the next stage, or did she suggest you came for a "consultation lesson" straight away?

Edit. Thinking about it, the term "consultation lesson" sounds a bit strange. I can understand a musically advanced student or even a teacher having a "consultation" with a senior musician to discuss some specific aspects, and obviously such a session would incur a charge. But in your case, what would you be consulting them about... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)


Edit 2: It's just dawned on me that it's £25 for half-an-hour!!! Is £50 her normal hourly rate??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[DocOx]

Thanks everyone, this was very useful!

I am not clear about what the consultation lesson will involve, but that's OK (to skylark: she did offer a consultation lesson straight away). I am still going ahead with it, since not only did I agree to it (yes, I have 'principles'! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)) but I am also serious about learning the piano. I guess I just wanted to know what the norm is when it comes to consultation lessons, and it would seem that there is no norm as such! Oh well! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Anyway, I will make sure to ask about her terms and conditions! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) If anything, I am just hoping that £25 for 30 minutes is not indicative of what I might end up having to pay and how long a lesson might be (I would think it to be a bit expensive for a beginner, and the lesson a bit short, no?). Still, I am 'happy' to be flexible, as long as it is worth it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Edit. Thinking about it, the term "consultation lesson" sounds a bit strange. I can understand a musically advanced student or even a teacher having a "consultation" with a senior musician to discuss some specific aspects, and obviously such a session would incur a charge. But in your case, what would you be consulting them about... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Yes, not sure either... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Edit 2: It's just dawned on me that it's £25 for half-an-hour!!! Is £50 her normal hourly rate??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Yes, that's also what I was thinking. Oh well, it's 'only' money, so we shall see how it goes! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Violin Hero]

My belief is that consultation lessons are charged at regular lesson rates but there is no requirement to commit to a block of lessons.

£25 for 30 minutes sounds very steep. I live in London and my violin teacher travels to me and charges £30 per hour. I wouldn't expect the cost to be higher in Oxford.

[Bass Clef]

(I would think it to be a bit expensive for a beginner, and the lesson a bit short, no?)

This does seem expensive, then again I once went to a teacher who charged £35 for 45minutes and I guess that works out similarly, and I know of teachers who charge £75+ for an hour. If I were you, I wouldn't think of it as 'expensive for a beginner'. When I was new to lessons I chose the cheapest teacher I could find, thinking that as a beginner it didn't really matter because anything they could teach me would be stuff I didn't know before. However, now I think that it is important, especially for a beginner, to go to the best teacher you can find (and afford). If you build up good habits as a beginner, you will progress so much better in the future. Now, there may be amazing teachers who charge very little, just as there certainly are not-so-good teachers who charge a lot, but if this teacher that you go to does turn out to be amazing, it doesn't seem like too much to pay.

[DocOx]

(I would think it to be a bit expensive for a beginner, and the lesson a bit short, no?)

This does seem expensive, then again I once went to a teacher who charged £35 for 45minutes and I guess that works out similarly, and I know of teachers who charge £75+ for an hour. If I were you, I wouldn't think of it as 'expensive for a beginner'. When I was new to lessons I chose the cheapest teacher I could find, thinking that as a beginner it didn't really matter because anything they could teach me would be stuff I didn't know before. However, now I think that it is important, especially for a beginner, to go to the best teacher you can find (and afford). If you build up good habits as a beginner, you will progress so much better in the future. Now, there may be amazing teachers who charge very little, just as there certainly are not-so-good teachers who charge a lot, but if this teacher that you go to does turn out to be amazing, it doesn't seem like too much to pay.

Yes, this is the way I am currently looking at it. Now, all I have to do is to have that consultation lesson (Saturday next week) and see how it goes... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Dugazon]

I don't call it consultation, just "first lesson", and half of it is usually talking about goals and formal stuff, while the other half is assessing the voice and starting to work - otherwise, the student won't know whether they like my approach or not.
I charge the normal rate, since even (or especially) the first lesson requires my time and expertise.

[Violin Hero]

I don't call it consultation, just "first lesson", and half of it is usually talking about goals and formal stuff, while the other half is assessing the voice and starting to work - otherwise, the student won't know whether they like my approach or not.
I charge the normal rate, since even (or especially) the first lesson requires my time and expertise.

I too think of it as a first lesson rather than a consulatation. When I had mmy first lesson with current teacher I paid his usual rate, £27 at the time. Most of the lesson is spent finding out about pupil so teacher knows what they need to learn and pupil deciding if they like the teacher. LLittle learning is done in the first lesson.

[Robodoc]

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

Secondly, Abingdon, when I grew up there (Holland Road), was well served with music teachers. In addition to the regular schools and the one-to-one lessons there was a Saturday morning music school for those children who were interested and quite a few from there went on to make careers in music. Although that started at John Mason in the 60's, (when it was a Grammar School, though the music school was completely independent), it moved to The Old Gaol sometime in the 70's, shortly after I gave up music lessons and then left home. How are things there now?

Thirdly, whether it's called a consultation or a lesson or a consultation lesson it is half an hour of teachers time: I would expect to pay the normal rate, but I would also expect to get clear up front what the charge (if any) is.

Fourthly, the first visit isn't just for the teacher to pitch to you: It cuts both ways.

[Suepea]

(I would think it to be a bit expensive for a beginner, and the lesson a bit short, no?)

This does seem expensive, then again I once went to a teacher who charged £35 for 45minutes and I guess that works out similarly, and I know of teachers who charge £75+ for an hour. If I were you, I wouldn't think of it as 'expensive for a beginner'. When I was new to lessons I chose the cheapest teacher I could find, thinking that as a beginner it didn't really matter because anything they could teach me would be stuff I didn't know before. However, now I think that it is important, especially for a beginner, to go to the best teacher you can find (and afford). If you build up good habits as a beginner, you will progress so much better in the future. Now, there may be amazing teachers who charge very little, just as there certainly are not-so-good teachers who charge a lot, but if this teacher that you go to does turn out to be amazing, it doesn't seem like too much to pay.

Yes, this is the way I am currently looking at it. Now, all I have to do is to have that consultation lesson (Saturday next week) and see how it goes... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) My current piano teacher charges £46 per hour, in north Surrey, and he's worth every penny of it. I just wish I could have had someone like him earlier on - I would have progressed so much better.

[notmusimum]

Only my daughter's Recorder Teacher ever offered a Consultaion lesson. It was paid for at his normal rate. As someone else said it was used to see if she wanted to continue lessons and indeed if hew wanted to teach her on a regular basis. She was at the time Grade 7 so not a beginner.

I guess different teachers have different ideas.

Hope the Piano lessons work out for you.