hey! guys! i'm a pno/theory teacher from HK! i'm a univ. fresh graduate, majored in music. i just did my LRSM in Sept n am waiting for my result.

at the moment, parents' bargaining of tuition fees is v common in HK. i'm not sure if it also happens in your countries. many callers who saw my ads in leaflets/supermkts had begged me really hard to lower my fees to the furthest limits, i thought that's ridiculous.

for those readers who are also from HK, u should know that the avg fee for beginner is at least HK$100/30min, for G5 $250/hr n for G8 $350/hr. these are wot i charge.

this is an example of a bargaining case:

e.g. a dad wanted me to charged her G7 daughter $210/hr, which is the normal rate for a G2-3 in music centres in HK! he's NOT from a poor family n is extremely selfish. this would only cheapen myself.

he had bargained 3 time in his 1st phonecall last year, he made me to lower my fee from $250 to $175/hr for G5 level, which is the furthest limit. her daughter just passed her G5 theory last month n wanted her to proceed to G7. $210 is far too little for this level n is not wot i'm happy w/. so i phoned her dad n told him that if she wants to continue w/ her pno lessons at G7 level, from now on, i'll charge her $250/hr n this is already G5. he said 'wow! u increase your rate again!' her daughter had had pno n theory lessons w/ me for 10 mths n now her dad wants her to stop JUST coz i increase my rate by $40 only.

does this sound ridiculous?

u should all know that in HK, it's impossible to find a teacher who charge below $250/hr for G7.
i'm sure that he'll have great difficulty in finding a new teacher who can accommodate his bargaining.

In that case, stick to your fees. Sounds perfectly reasonable. The guy will end up with a useless teacher for his daughter.....which brings me to the point - lower your fees too much and your reputation will suffer. People think: "He's cheap. He can't be much good."

I might negotiate fees because I'm prepated to teach individual subjects (species counterpoint, orchestration etc) but I generally charge a fixed rate.

I even don't reduce even 1$ for who would like to bargin. The reason is simply unfair to other student. If I off, say, 10% for him, I should also off 10% for other student, than my income also off 10%! Why he got cheaper tutition fee just because he bargin? For those who really difficult to get risk it (e.g. your parent's friends or relative) I would give them additional 15 min per lesson for 1~2 months but same tutiion fee (Fair!). It work quite well in my case.
BTW, your tutition seems too much under rated, it is impossible for me even beginner level.

QUOTE

For those who really difficult to get risk it (e.g. your parent's friends or relative) I would give them additional 15 min per lesson for 1~2 months but same tutiion fee (Fair!). It work quite well in my case.

That's quite a good suggestion. Bargaining is almost unheard of here (UK) although I've experienced it with people who've come from overseas.

My way round it was to offer a shorter lesson. it worked for a short while!

Maggie

QUOTE (Rhapsodin @ Dec 6 2004, 06:02 PM)

In that case, stick to your fees. Sounds perfectly reasonable. The guy will end up with a useless teacher for his daughter.....which brings me to the point - lower your fees too much and your reputation will suffer. People think: "He's cheap. He can't be much good." I might negotiate fees because I'm prepated to teach individual subjects (species counterpoint, orchestration etc) but I generally charge a fixed rate.

ha! ha! ha! u're perfectly right! that guy will end up w/ a useless teacher for her daughter!

i posted an ad in my univ. n that's where he got my contact info from.

i'm sure that he'll compare prices around again n will complain all the time!

QUOTE (josephlau @ Dec 7 2004, 06:06 AM)

I even don't reduce even 1$ for who would like to bargin. The reason is simply unfair to other student. If I off, say, 10% for him, I should also off 10% for other student, than my income also off 10%! Why he got cheaper tutition fee just because he bargin? For those who really difficult to get risk it (e.g. your parent's friends or relative) I would give them additional 15 min per lesson for 1~2 months but same tutiion fee (Fair!). It work quite well in my case. BTW, your tutition seems too much under rated, it is impossible for me even beginner level.

i don't have much experience (4 yrs only) so i don't dare to charge far too high. if i charge too high, callers will end up finding other teachers. lots of parents complained that my tuition fee is too high!

my pupils don't know each other so i charge them differently. i charge more for those who are from wealthier families or if they want me to make a home visit.

Rubinstein,
i hope you don't tell potential parents/clients that you dont' have much experience - only 4 years. Do give them impression/attitude that you may be a fresh grad out of University but @ the same time have been also teaching on the side piano lessons. Tell them "I have 4 years' experience teaching piano while i studied @ college majoring in music" and i think it helps when you differentiate yourself from regular - common pianists they find on ads. Anyway, i am not a teacher myself but i do live in hk. You prolly already know of these sources, but thought you may want to take a look just in case u do not know of these tutoring sites.

http://www.tutorcentre.com/default.asp
and
http://www.go2tutor.com/

i hope these two very 'local' and common sites should help you. another one is:
http://www.smart-tutor.com/

this is more for just regular subject tutoring jobs. But occasionally they do look for music teachers. At least you can use these sites to talk to these potential bargaining parents ..meaning that your price is really not that high compared to these sites.

You have to make them understand at the same time you are a U grad, LRSM cert, and not just a plain Grade 8 pianist and that visiting homes takes up time and transportation fee as well. I am doing Grade 8 and i pay my teacher (w/ lots of experience) $1800 for 4 lessons/ one hour. Most sites i see pay around $360/4 lessons/ half hour for only beginner levels - zero knowledge in piano.

I'm totally on your side cuz i do part time tutoring as a job. And parents nowadays in hk don't respect 'tutors' so to speak. I've seen some really horrible rates..around $60/hour (not piano lessons) and the location is like in Northern district in the New Terrirtories..personally i dont' know how any student or already a teacher can make jobs like this. I never take such rates...my rate is at least 150/hour b/c i speak fluent American english and overseas Grad and have experience in teaching what i teach and can handel kids that need special attention. And i still think $150 is very low b/c of the type of degree I hold and that i am a responsible teacher as compared to just students in secondary or University looking for part time money. But i know hk parents will not go for higher so i have to set my price @ 150 and no lower or i dont' take jobs. So yes most parents think i charge high, but you have to prove to them - and perhaps give them a first free consultation (20 min ) lesson will be a start, invite these parents to sit in. Show them how you work with their child, the materials you teach, what it means to learn piano/take piano lessons. Most of this includes packaging and marketing yourself, how you set yourself aside from other traditional teaching methods.

B/c i'm taking it as, if parents want to find private piano teachers for their kids, the attitude of taking up piano is different from parents who just enroll their children to hk piano/music studios. I'm not saying this applies to all parents who have their children take lessons @ studios. But i can't deny the truth that there is a great significant difference b/w those who take private lessons @ home and those who just take weekly lessons @ a studio (the attitude towards learning).

And for your case, this dad definitely is looking for just a teacher that is 'cheap' to pay and prolly is a picky one. You won't see him going after APA teachers in hk. So just wait a bit...let him change teachers then..you need to show him (meaning other parents as well) where you stand. Your job is a profession, not just some side job making fast money. If you treat your profession seriously and demand high standards from your students, parents would acknowledge the fact that they have gotten themselves a good, demanding teacher that is worth the high price. So my advice is, i dont' think there is a need to bargain for this parent..let him go. If you already have other students, word of mouth will prolly help you gain other students.

I dont' know how usually teachers set their prices b/c i und most piano teachers travel to homes and may set prices differently depending on gas, or transportation fee, and how far student lives away teacher's home. But as a fresh grad and relatively new teacher, i dont' think your price is outrageously high. Of course you may have to start a lil low price to earn up students and spread your reputation..but at this point (with this dad) i dont' think you need to lower your rate b/c you already did once...

sometimes with these type of parents/clients..is all about not spoiling them. You have to stand on your grounds and make yourself known for what you are worth. dont' be afraid of losing a student.

i hope it all works out for you soon

thanks for all ur replies!

btw, the websites that u gave me are good to find more students but the disadvantage is that they need to receive commissions from the teachers! my parents adviced me not to register in them, they're agents n are v business-oriented. they'll earn some $ once a student is recommended to u n will not be fair, since all the tuition fee should go to the teacher as she had spent so much time n effort.

I have no idea what fee you charge in Hong Kong $'s (ratio to UK £'s)but in the UK it averages anywhere from £7.50 to £15 per 30 minute lesson and more for post grade tuition. I have just put my prices up from £9, to £10 because i am now well established, i've gone from 5 to 30 students in a 2 year period, modest music qualifications (Dip/Cert Ed), however my students tell me i'm a fun teacher which i guess is good, they generally pass with Distinction/Merit. Wonder what it'll be like 10 years down the path?

Helo everyone who's in Hong Kong.

I'd like to know if anyone of you teach Kodaly. Or where can I learn Kodaly.

I'm planning to have my son learn this Kodaly system and was wondering if anyone of you could help?

Thanks.

Cheers.