Is there an average price for lessons?

Jerry Dragon · Post by **Jerry Dragon** » 22 Jan 2009 12:53 am

The question speaks for itself?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 22 Jan 2009 2:02 am

an average price ? I think no. personally I think weekly lessons are a bust for this Instrument, I believe there is too much "motion" to learn along with the actual music and a week will not be enough time.
I have a handful of students, they come by maybe every two or three months I charge $50 for a lesson, which can be 1 hour to maybe 2 or even 3. The lesson and whats going on dictates the time. The price is the same. A student of music should never return for the next lesson until they have understood and are able to execute the previous lesson. It's a waste of time and money in my opinion.

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 22 Jan 2009 8:23 am

Ba-Bye.

Jerry Dragon · Post by **Jerry Dragon** » 22 Jan 2009 9:14 am

thanx all
I just find it hard to justify paying two to three times what I make an hour for lessons. I guess I will just have to plug away with my books and the transference of 43 years of playing guitar. I know it will take longer without a few formal lessons but I taught myself guitar and basic music theory and I am not that bad. Hopefully I can do the same with the PSG. If I run into major blocks I will just have to belly up to the bar and plunk down the cash.

Al Miller · Post by **Al Miller** » 22 Jan 2009 9:34 am

Jerry,
There are Lots of one on one lessons
available on DVD/VHS from some of the best steel players in the world. Joe Wright,Jeff Newman &
Tommy White All Come to mind but there are many more too. if you pay $40.00 for a DVD you have that lesson available to you for as long as you need it .
Most Of These if not all have a great re-sale value If and when you decide to prgross to the next level.

If you cant afford those just check out you tube
there are a host of unbelieveable lessons,tip,tricks and so on for FREE! Micky Adams has some great stuff out there. you stated you didnt wanna pay twice or three times what you make an hour
i understand but these men and woman do that for a living and most if not all are worth every dime.
if your serious about playing steel A lesson or two Live or on TV is your best bet the basics are essential to becoming fluid on this instrument..
Just My 2 cents
Boo Miller
www.myspace/bo0millersteelplayer.com

Jerry Dragon · Post by **Jerry Dragon** » 22 Jan 2009 9:59 am

I understand that most steel guitarists who do that for a living probably don't make what I make on a steady paycheck week to week. I understand that they have to charge what they do, for one, how many students can they have compared to a "guitar" instructor. I am not faulting anyone for any amount of money they charge. I am faulting myself for not making enough money to pay them!
I would rather work with books. I don't like looking at a screen for instruction. I am old school I guess. I like having that book right in front of me, and what else is the C6 neck for if not to rest instructional material on it?

john widgren · Post by **john widgren** » 22 Jan 2009 10:18 am

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 22 Jan 2009 11:03 am

I have had students that were more motivated by the price not to take lessons than to take them, and I only charge $25.00 per hour. There are things on pedal steel guitar that NO book or CD will tell you or show you, like how to play in tune for one. Sadly, many will wind up dropping the instrument after they frustrate themselves for two years on cheap out of regulation equipment that can never play in tune to begin with. Or worse yet go out and embarrass themselves playing like an out of tune scratchy fiddle. Pedal steel is not for the cheap skate. There are key things that I was taught when I first started to play that were written down no where.

Gordon Hartin · Post by **Gordon Hartin** » 22 Jan 2009 1:50 pm

Hi Jerry,

I've paid between $30-$75 for a lesson. I think I have always got my money's worth. Also, now I can easily reach out to any of my past teachers for free advice.

Decided to give a shout out to the folks i've been lucky to study with.
Ricky Davis
John McClung
Bob Hoffnar
Robby Turner
Thanks for everything,

Gordon

Joe Gretz · Post by **Joe Gretz** » 22 Jan 2009 1:59 pm

The average range is between $35 and $100 an hour for most instruments, but more is not out of the question, even a lot more. Good teachers usually aren't cheap.

Joe

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 22 Jan 2009 5:23 pm

It may pain you to spend a little more for a few lessons at first, but the most important piece of grief you will save yourself from by taking a few lessons, is learning proper technique and posture. You may be an exception, and we all think we personally are an exception, but you could spend 6 months or a year or so teaching yourself and mastering wrong technique, just to discover you put a serious limitation on your potential. You will spend much, much more time trying to reteach yourself and overcome those bad habits, even with a good teacher now. That's what not shelling out a little coinage now will ultimately cost you in the longrun-- alot of time and frustration.

Anyone who can afford a steel guitar can usually work something out for some lessons, if they are really interested in the instrument. If you need to have that driving passion to figure out the "musical rubics cube", the steel guitar.

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 23 Jan 2009 5:16 am

Man am I ever 'Under Priced', looks like I will have to raise the price of my steel guitar lessons. I must be living in the 80's. I did not realize you guys were getting that much $$$ for lessons. But I have always been 'low priced', maybe now that will change!!

Ernie Pollock

http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

Joe Gretz · Post by **Joe Gretz** » 23 Jan 2009 7:14 am

I am a music teacher, and I still take lessons myself. My principal instrument is double bass (upright bass, bull fiddle, dog house, you know what I mean...). My teacher is a first call symphony guy. He charges almost three times what I do, and I still consider him a value (notice I didn't say "cheap"

). I know of many instructors that charge a LOT more than my teacher, and I regularly see people advertise lessons for less than what I charge.

The most important thing to remember about the cost of lessons is this: YOU DO NOT PAY FOR YOUR LESSONS WITH MONEY!!! The money you spend is to reserve TIME with your teacher. You REALLY pay for your lessons by being a good student. This means respecting your teacher, being prepared for lessons and always doing your best.

Joe

Jerry Dragon · Post by **Jerry Dragon** » 23 Jan 2009 8:21 am

another problem is the nearest lessons I can find so far are over an hour away one way. On top of the amount for the lesson I have to figure all that in. If it was nearby I might be able to fork that over.
I taught myself guitar and I am no slouch, would I have been better if I took lessons, I don't know, probably.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 23 Jan 2009 8:45 am

If we might ask, what have YOU seen for lesson prices, Jerry?

Jerry Dragon · Post by **Jerry Dragon** » 23 Jan 2009 9:01 am

I have only had one instructor contact me since my search began and he is asking 60.00 and hour. Now if I put my two hour trip in etc it starts to get pretty steep. He has the credentials but I really need something closer. I have very little time outside of work and family and that must be taken into consideration also. It would be nice to find someone I could make parts for in exchange.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 23 Jan 2009 9:14 am

I pay $50 for lessons, myself, and I drive to Fort Worth, TX so I feel for ya. But I get so much information to digest, I go about every 3-4 months, so I can soak it all up. My playing has come leaps and bounds, too. My wife and I make an overnite trip to do this, and it's a great little getaway for us.

Bill Mayville · Post by **Bill Mayville** » 23 Jan 2009 10:16 am

I have been doing this for years.I am not a teacher of any kind.When I am SHOWING someone to play a little better,with things they don't know,They seem to catch on quickly.
The difference is!!I help them learn about music.
Knowing a little about music takes a lot of time off the learning curve.I also show how Jeff Newman use to carry a ruler with him,in class.when you hold your hand like a claw,SMACK, and you never forget it.Blocking comes a lot easier if you just think of the ruler,I guess.
I have flyin's.Always found that they are very interested in learning!I pick them up at the airport,feed them,let them stay over night,spend five hours in the morning with them,and they can practice all afternoon if they want to.I'll be out on the tractor,doing something.
I only charge $50.00 a day. It covers the food,and a little diesel fuel.
Next month Will from Fl. will be arriving. I enjoy doing that more than anything,as long as they start playing somewhat.Regular guitar players are very easy to help.I usually elevate them to a little more complicated music ,and they pick up steel playing a little faster.If I get challenged on that ,i wouldn't
mind at all.
Studying music is not necessary .Learning just a little more about it ,really helps.
Bill Mayville.

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 23 Jan 2009 1:24 pm

I've been paying people 40$ an hour to show me stuff, a couple times a year. I guess maybe thats a lil too cheap.

Tracy Sheehan · Post by **Tracy Sheehan** » 23 Jan 2009 11:03 pm

Tony Prior wrote:an average price ? I think no. personally I think weekly lessons are a bust for this Instrument, I believe there is too much "motion" to learn along with the actual music and a week will not be enough time.
I have a handful of students, they come by maybe every two or three months I charge $50 for a lesson, which can be 1 hour to maybe 2 or even 3. The lesson and whats going on dictates the time. The price is the same. A student of music should never return for the next lesson until they have understood and are able to execute the previous lesson. It's a waste of time and money in my opinion.

I tried teaching steel a few times and you hit the nail on the head.I could not get the students to learn what i showed them how to do.I was unlucky i suppose.The ones i had thought they were going to learn in a month what i had learned over the 50 years of playing.
I coulden't get thru to them,how were they going to play a song fast when they cold not yet play it slow.But i never charged for lessons as i never forgot what so many wonderful steel players had taught me at no charge.But i made my living for over 50 years playing.Tracy

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 23 Jan 2009 11:31 pm

Sjeeeeeeez.......I must be different.I never charged anything to anybody.When I have the time(very busy working right now)I do what I can to help people out.

Ron

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 24 Jan 2009 12:24 am

I had a friend teach me the basics, and the rest I learned on my own. I taught myself how to play the regular guitar with out a book. I basically taught my self by watching the Saturday afternoon country music shows that were on TV at the time, Also listened to records of the country music stars to learn their song and how to play them. If an individual wants play bad enough they will do what ever it takes to succeed. I have come along way, but, I realize I still have a way to go.

Roger Haugejorden · Post by **Roger Haugejorden** » 24 Jan 2009 12:50 am

If I would not have taken any lessons, I would not have known what I missed. Pedalsteel.com is offering online lessons, one on one, or the seminars. It's working for me, maybe it will work for you. Roger

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 24 Jan 2009 1:32 am

Roger Haugejorden wrote:If I would not have taken any lessons, I would not have known what I missed. Pedalsteel.com is offering online lessons, one on one, or the seminars. It's working for me, maybe it will work for you. Roger

Roger, I don't disagree with you at all, it's like I said ,I've come along way from when I first started playing till now.But at the same time I realize that I have a way to go. I never said I was a steel guitar wizard. Or a musician's wizard. I feel like the Good Lord had blessed me. And I wasn't trying to flaunt it on you or anyone else. I apologize,if what I said was wrong, Personally I am always of the opinion, that there is always someone better. I thank God for Blessing me with such

Peter Nylund · Post by **Peter Nylund** » 24 Jan 2009 5:17 am

I always share my licks for free, both of them.

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