Today one of my student's was being a bit lippy to her mum. It's the last lesson for her until 3rd September. However, mum said "If you don't calm down, I'll make you have lessons all the summer holiday!"

Great...so lessons can be used as a 'punishment' now...

I disagree with that principle, but wouldnt it give you more income ????

I know exactly what would happen if i'd made that threat...

More cheek to get more lessons

Well yes, but lessons are supposed to be enjoyable! The daughter said "Ooh no thanks!" but is happy for me to go back every week during term time.

Don't take it too personally. I think just about everyone is tired out and fed up at this end of term! I'd be horrified if I had to teach all the way through the Summer holiday...even more so if it was a cheeky brat who was there on sufferance!

I encourage mine to carry on with lessons if possible. It's not hard to sell it to those genuinely wanting to learn, as an opportunity to get ahead without all that boring school stuff distracting them, and most of my adult pupils are disconnected from school timetables anyway.

As a punishment, though? No way. The occassional semi-serious threat of whole lessons on scales if they don't improve at home is quite different from categorising the entire process as something to endure. Perhaps the mother in question was misjudging this difference? (We can only hope...)

As a private teacher I teach all the way through the summer holidays. I would say that attendance is about 70 pc of term attendance on average. I find that after the initial lack of enthusiasm, that pupils like to come to relieve the boredom. I also offer extra workshops- jazz, ensembles, theory booster. These become more enjoyable when other pressures are off.

Sounds very good MNT. Sadly I lack the energy to keep going! Really need a break and a chance for some mental space. I have one or two lessons to make up from the end of this term but other than that, I'm shutting up shop!

I teach all year round for anyone who wants lessons during the half term/summer holidays. Christmas, Easter and bank holidays (unless the student wants a lesson) are the only times I don't teach.

This girl and most of my youngsters choose to have summer off to get over the stress of the school year! That's why I was a bit miffed when mum chose to use piano lessons as a punishment for bad behaviour.

It's the same mum who talks me to death every week, so at least my poor one remaining fully functioning ear gets a rest for six weeks!

Everyone needs a rest, I think you have to separate lessons from playing. Having a summer holiday from the progressive work of doing something new and always being on your learning edge where everything is new and a bit difficult is a relief, and I can imagine the child is looking forward to a break from that. It doesn't mean that the instrument itself is endured (though I think piano suffers from that more than any other instrument, piano lessons are often foisted upon unwilling youngsters) but the process of learning it rather than playing it is hard. Having lessons all summer would equal daily practice all summer long too, rather than a dabble here and a dabble there on material that is enjoyable to play for its own sake. I can see how it would be a threat.

It's possible to have more relaxed lessons in the summer. There could be fun 'easy' duets, more space to play around with composition/improvisation and maybe learning some less challenging repertoire.
Was told by one of mine as they were leaving last week that he'd decided to have 7 weeks off for the summer. As I charge for a 40 week year the only 'problem' financially is reminding them that I still need to be paid on time in August. I may also point out that the proposed theory exam in November may not happen as the closing date is the beginning of September and I'll want a set of past papers completed with marks of 80 at least by then....

I would love to be able to afford to take 6 weeks off! The last time I had more than 2 weeks off from teaching was in 1992!

When my students point out that they are away from a piano during the Summer break, I always tell them to take their theory books with them and get their parents to test them on Italian words and key signatures. That always gets a lukewarm response!

My husband has been saying what a shame it is that our son has to practise and have lessons right through the Summer holidays and that he needs a rest. I am not entirely sure that DS sees it that way! He is so pleased that he doesn't have to go to school and now has plenty of time to fit in practice.

Last summer holidays some pupils had a few lessons and some booked lessons then cancelled and some never even made contact; it really affected my bank balance and I think 7 weeks without a lesson is too long anyway.

This year I sent out a letter saying that I recommended pupils have at least two lessons in the holidays, with a form at the bottom with dates, to fill out and return.

All pupils have booked at least two, a couple are coming every week (their mum pays by standing order!) and some are taking up my offer of an hour lesson at a discounted price. Holiday lessons are great; we do different activities, games, composition etc that there isn't always time for in the normal lessons.

I enjoy the more relaxed teaching in the summer holidays and so do the children. Also, to many adult students, the summer holidays aren't even on their radar if tehy have no school age children or don't work in education.

That's a good idea..... Can I pinch it next summer?

Feel free!

I do 'buy half an hour, get the other half hour half price'; although I don't word it in such supermarkety terminology!

I only teach part time, so it's quite easy to schedule.

Ah, get 50 percent extra FREE then !.............



What about a "brand match" promise? (I am joking by the way...!)

There's plenty of other supermarket marketing which is transferable, though. Loss leaders, in the form of a free initial lesson. Product differentiation, and unique selling points: knowing what makes your offering different from the competition, and making it clear to the potential customer. Psychological pricing: setting your prices above the competition, to give the impression of superiority (Apple love this one!). And so one.

If you buy half an hour, and get another half hour free, that's 100% extra!

And now you see why I don't tutor in maths........


What about "super sizing" a lesson?


As small business people, we have so much to learn.......

It is 50% extra free, because if they pay for 45 mins but get 60 then they've got 50% of a lesson extra, free?!

Is that right? I'm pretty sure supermarkets use this language because it confuses us but makes us think there's a bargain in there somewhere!

Other supermarket ploys that I use:

a blast of hot air as they come in (I just give them a whoosh with the hairdryer)
price promise (the fees definitely won't go up this month)
reward scheme (play a piece perfectly and get a sticker)
home delivery service (I deliver an excellent service in my home)
ten items or less (theory, scales, Dozen a Day and three pieces: that's just 6) (or should it be fewer?)
sweets at the checkout (.......nope, don't do that)

If the extra 50% payment is obligatory, then it's only 33% extra free, I'm afraid! You're doing BOGOF, buy-one-get-one-half-price. To truly be 50% extra free, it's got to be 45 minutes for the price of the usual half hour.

I'm in a similar situation with other half moaning over lessons and practice. Daughter hasn't really "finished" for the summer entirely. College was over 3 weeks ago but then there were concerts, open days, odd hours working with accompanist and tour of primary schools.

Not wanting to turn this into another pedants' thread, but wouldn't that be BOGOHP?