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)

[Dulciana]

As I think it was hinted above, 'consultation' could imply that she'll be making the decision on that occasion as to whether or not she's happy to teach YOU, as well as vice versa. As for the fee - she must reckon she's worth it and is able to command it. Whether or not you do is up to you! Don't be afraid to ask about previous successes - not just the standard of musicians she has 'turned out', but what standard they were when they first arrived on her doorstep. How much did she improve them? I'm not saying it's the case this time, but some teachers rely on their performance reputation rather than their teaching reputation. There is a difference. And some may only be interested in you in the long term with regard to how much you will add to their reputation. I hope I don't sound cynical; I do hope this works out for you - but consider your own goals carefully and make them clear to her.

[DocOx]

I wonder if you also shouldn't just check before the consultation lesson exactly what the cost of her normal lessons are and thus check that they fall within your budget.

It would be disappointing for you to have the consultation lesson, really like the teacher and subsequently find that the weekly cost is prohibitive.

Perhaps you could ring her on the 'pretext' of confirming the consultation lesson and 'casually' ask the regular lesson price ?

I hear what you are saying, but I can't see myself asking her that kind of question over the phone. I would prefer to ask her in person. Otherwise, should the weekly cost be 'prohibitive', maybe I could have fortnight lessons? I am not sure whether it would be wise, but it might still be better than nothing (assuming that she would be OK with it)?

A couple of years ago my daughter had three "consultation lessons" during school holidays with an orchestral clarinettist. His policy was to charge 50% more for the first such lesson than for subsequent lessons with the same student. So there may be some hope that regular lessons with this piano teacher would not be quite so expensive as the first one. But yes, worth checking.

I will make sure to have a list of questions I want to ask before going there, and one of those questions will definitely be about costs! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As I think it was hinted above, 'consultation' could imply that she'll be making the decision on that occasion as to whether or not she's happy to teach YOU, as well as vice versa. As for the fee - she must reckon she's worth it and is able to command it. Whether or not you do is up to you! Don't be afraid to ask about previous successes - not just the standard of musicians she has 'turned out', but what standard they were when they first arrived on her doorstep. How much did she improve them? I'm not saying it's the case this time, but some teachers rely on their performance reputation rather than their teaching reputation. There is a difference. And some may only be interested in you in the long term with regard to how much you will add to their reputation. I hope I don't sound cynical; I do hope this works out for you - but consider your own goals carefully and make them clear to her.

You might very well be right! I suppose that, as a concert pianist, she must value her time and probably want to make sure that whoever she's going to teach is actually worth teaching. As for me, I have very clear goals (whether they are realistic or not is another matter! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)), and I intend to assess her on the basis of whether she can help me reaching them.