Hey, I'm a student looking to do a bit of instrumental teaching - mainly on piano but maybe tpt and drum kit also, and I was just wondering [taking the piano as an example] how I would start someone off reading notation etc and how maybe an introductory/beginners lesson would go?

Also, as I'm not fully qualified like all of you lot, how much could/should I charge, as obviously I'm not going to charge full because I'm not a professional!

Hello. When introducing a person to the piano for the first time, I generally go through the basics of how to sit comfortably, finger positions on the keyboard etc. I use the John Thompson series of books that start right at the very beginning- looking at middle C, naming clefs and what have you. The series progresses up to book eight, and beyond to grade level. My students find it a good resource, but of course there are loads to choose from nowadays. Go to your local music shop and have a browse at some. You may find one that you like the look of. I also back up my students practical lessons with a bit of theory as (and this is only a personal opinion) I don't feel you can do one without the other.

As for charging, you have a lot of knowledge already as you are at Grade 8 standard. I would suggest between £15-20 per hour to start and perhaps £10 per half hour. Charges often depend on where you live. If you have a tutor you can talk to, ask him/her for advice. Mine was very good when he suggested I go in for teaching.
Good luck to you!

This question has come up before - try doing a search using key words such as:

"Help, I'm new, what do I charge?"

The earlier suggestion of charging £10 per hour would put you on the same rate as myself, and I have qualified teacher status. Maybe I am undercharging, maybe I should start a new thread myself!!

When I was in your position (i.e a couple of grade 8s and a handful of A levels) I was charging £5 per half and £10 per hour. . . which works out as half my current rate. Perhaps if you worked out what you would be charging "now" if you were a fully qualified teacher, and then halved that rate? hmm . . The Musicians Union and ISM website may be able to help you with information on current charges.

All the best

Andy

I have grd 8 piano and am due to take dip ABRSM in performance in December. I charge £10.00 for half an hour, and £20.00 for an hour. All locally qualified teachers charge £25.00-30.00 an hour, which is what my rates will go up to when I have had my dip for a year. Hope this helps.

at £10 for half an hour you will be charging more than many well qualified, established peris within gloucestershire so don't price yourself out of the market - better to have many at alower rate when stating out (IMHO) and gain valuable experience than one or two who pay hansomely and expect the finished article.

Have fun - it can be such a rewarding job

Hi, if you're teaching child beginners it's a good idea to leave notation and concentrate on teaching them the core musical concepts e.g. high, low, up, down, loud soft, fast slow etc. etc. through teaching them to sing simple songs that they then play on the piano - just two or three note songs. Notation is really difficult for children and they don't really have any space left in their brain to listen to what they're doing. Beginners should really experience and understand all the concepts (including long / short) before they see a musical symbol for long / short. If you try a search on teaching beginners or similar you will prob find other ideas for teaching beginners that have been posted here in the past. Good luck.