How to find a great music teacher on a budget for your kid
Are you looking for a great music tutor without breaking the bank? One that inspires, motivates and has the patience of an angel? Luckily, we’ve done our homework and found the best tips on how to find an awesome music teacher on a budget.
Consider group lessons
One easy way to save money is to opt for a group lesson. Your first instinct may be to get a private tutor, but a private tutor often means spending more. So why not enroll your rocker kid in a group lesson? Yes, we'll admit, your kid may learn quicker 1:1, but joining a group has many benefits too. By allowing your child to be part of a group setting, they will not only improve their music skills but also build deeper relationships. Especially kids who struggle to make new friends. The power of shared interest and common purpose cannot be underestimated. Maybe, he/she will even end up in a band! Besides, it's a whole lot cheaper too. There are many nonprofit organizations such as Little Kids Rock that offer group music for free (or a very small fee).
But how do you save money if you do want a private music tutor?
Here is the good news: private music lessons don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. If you do opt for a private tutor, there are still plenty of ways to find great tutors that are budget-friendly. One easy way is to find a reasonably-priced music teacher is to look online.
Explore the world-wide-web
The cheapest way to find a music teacher is to scout online. There are numerous online platforms such as https://takelessons.com, where you find a superb music tutor at a fair price. Some sites may even offer a flat rate if you pay for bulk lessons. As these music teachers teach online, they won’t have to spend any money on gas, transportation or renting a room. This all makes them a whole lot cheaper. Just place a price filter, a review filter and your good to go!
Tweak lessons length
Another option is to shorten your music lesson. A shorter lesson is ideal for younger students as they have a shorter attention span. By switching a 60-minute lesson to a 30-minute music lesson, you’ll save 50%. To stay on track, your kid will have to be committed to practicing outside of lessons. With the help with apps, books, YouTube clips or even games, it will be child’s play.
Scout YouTube for free music lessons
YouTube can be a great source for free video’s where kids can learn to play any musical instrument. Form learning birthday songs on the guitar to drumming lessons made by kids for kids, the possibilities are endless! Do make sure that your favorite “Youtuber” is kid-friendly – rock and roll should inspire a lot of cool things, but a potty mouth shouldn’t be one of them.
Sidenote: Although finding free videos to tutor your kid, is a great idea there are some downsides to it. A virtual music teacher cannot correct your kid’s posture, technique or give any feedback at all. Besides, you’ll miss out on all the annual recitals teary eye moments. So, if you do have a little money, it may be wise to invest in a real-life music teacher.
Last word of advice
Music lessons are a financial commitment, so you don’t want to jump in without setting some expectations. Make sure that your kid and teacher know what is expected of them. Ask yourself: am I looking for a teacher that will come and jam with your kid and give him/her some feedback? Or am I looking for a tutor that explains the foundations in a structured way? By answering this question, you’ll know the type of tutor you’ll want. This could save you a ton of money. Finding someone to jam with is a lot cheaper than finding a music tutor that will inspire the next Bach.
Likewise, make sure your kid is fully invested. They'll need to do a lot of practice at home before they can perform that killer guitar solo!