Teaching guitar?

Question

I am 15 years old, and I have been playing guitar since I was 9. I consider myself very competent on the instrument, and love instructing friends and such. My teacher told me he has been formally teaching since he was 16... is it possible nowadays for me to teach locally to make a little money? I was thinking beginner-intermediate guitar, since I am no expert. How much could I charge per lesson? How would I publicize?

Answer 1

It is great that you have progressed on the guitar as you've done. I charge the same amount that I did for 30 years--around $10 if the student comes to me and $12 if I go to them--which is for a half hour. The two extra bucks doesn't always cover the price of gas, but it is an attempt to do so.

I learned to play at age 16 and began to teach others shortly after I learned sufficiently--say, six months or so. Bear in mind that students of all ages seem to think they can learn overnight and be playing like Eric Clapton in a week. We know differently, don't we?

Teaching beginner and intermediate guitar is best, and though I've taught advanced, I much prefer the novice to start out with so I can help shape the student's good habits.

Drop off some business cards advertising your expertise in hair salons where the women collect. Moms are usually the first to recognize their child is ready for lessons.

Good luck with the teaching--it can be fulfilling.

Answer 2

That's so awesome that you have been playin since you were 9. I'm 15 too and I have been only playing for a year.

Anyways, I think that you should charge around $10 to $15. Not to high and not to low, at least I don't think. That is what the typical babysitter charges, I charge 20 but make sure that whoever you are teaching, is comfortable about the price and that they will be willing to stick with it and stick to you as a teacher. For publicizing, I think you should start in you neighborhood and let people know with like flyers and such. Or something. Maybe you could ask your teacher if he knows a way to publicize or if he knows anyone that would want lessons, even though if he did, he is probably teaching them but still ask.

I hope that helps. If I knew you, I'd have you teach me.

Answer 3

Your problem is going to be competition - does your teacher have too many students? You could start by offering to be his/her assistant. Most moms are going to hesitate hiring a 15-year-old if someone older is available. Look on the bulletin board at the local music store - how many cards are there offering lessons? Another idea is to start charging your friends. Here in the LA area the going rate is $20 per hour.

Answer 4

I've been playing guitar for about 45 years, and teaching it for about 20. I have cards up in local music shops, I teach guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin & I get custom from people who buy an instrument & then want lessons or from people who ask in the shop if they know any teachers. Also, once U've started, ur pupils will pass ur name around if they like what u do. This has happenend to me. Hope this helps, and best of luck in what ur trying to do.