Don’t Start Piano Lessons Until You Read This
Piano lessons are an investment that you make into your future. All prudent long-term investment requires a fundamental calculation of the value of the price you pay and return in a number of years. The value is largely determined by the company’s intrinsic value. Finding the intrinsic value can be a bit complex, but with various calculations it’s determination is not impossible. The price you pay for piano lessons would be the fee required per annum.
The return would come from the quality of training received, the concepts conveyed and the knowledge imparted. Often the actual return will only emerge a number of years after the course (or lessons) has been completed. Learning the piano with a mediocre teacher would yield a poor return over a number of years. Learning with a superb piano teacher will probably be a little bit more pricey (initially), but the return over the years to come will far exceed the initial investment laid out. Hence the general question of what is the price per hour, is quite frankly not the most prudent. First you should be prepared to take piano lessons for at least a year if not more. I actually suggest five years to get the best results and to obtain an extremely solid foundation.
A much better question would be “If my piano lesson cost x per annum over three years what will I gain in the next ten years?” The moral of the story think quality think long term. The wise always do. Most professionals (big cities this may vary from location to location) spend more than £250/$350 weekly on entertainment that yields little or no value in the future. This typically includes going out for lunch, dinner, theatre and cinema. If you add the cost of vacations, the fee escalates tremendously.
If you’re maximum spent on lessons stop at £30/$45 per hour, then you are actually paying a much higher price (in terms of returns over a number of years) than paying £50-£100 or even £150 per hour. (Depending upon whom you are learning with) On the other side of the coin, be aware of teachers who ask more than their value. Price does not equal value. Go back to Benjamin Graham’s quote “price is what you pay, value is what you get” Ideally you should find a top-notch piano teacher who ask a (potentially steep) figure that can be justified. Look for an instructor who doesn’t settle for anything but the very best education. And finally remember that your current level should not influence the quality needed. Most beginners assume they don’t need the best education – after all their just starting out. I’ve got news for you – it’s the beginning stages that are the most important. They lay the foundation for the future!
Celine Gaurier-Joubert is the founder and virtuoso piano instructor of the London Piano Institute. The Institute provides weekly piano lessons in Central London. She has mastered the piano in Paris with some of the world’s greatest pianists especially in regard to Franz Liszt’s technique. Her latest quest has led her to study the works of Marie Jaell extensively.
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