Can I ask your opinions about paying for music lessons?

[Tokelau]

I'm interested in opinions from private music teachers and parents of children who go to these lessons.

I am a music teacher. I work part time, I would like to work more hours, but only have enough pupils to be part time. I am thinking of advertising, as all my pupils have come to me through word of mouth so far.

This is the problem. Most of my pupils and their families are nice people, dependable, they pay each week with no problem, turn up on time, and if they need to cancel, they let me know in advance and we rearrange for another day. However, a few are not like this at all. They cancel last minute, or forget to come, and then I don't get paid. I know that sometimes things happen, and that can't be avoided, but it's the same people all the time.

For example, one pupil forgot to come the week before half term. I texted the parents who said that they had something on that night and had forgotten to let me know. I didn't see them over half term, that's fine. This week, they didn't turn up so I texted the parents and had no reply. I was told by another pupil that the first pupil has gone on holiday for two weeks. They didn't let me know, and obviously won't be here next week either. That's three lessons where I was expecting them to come and now haven't been paid for. The parents are actually nice, but very disorganised I think.

I have another pupil whose parent has just texted me to say that they only got back from their holiday yesterday, so they want to cancel the lesson tonight as the child is tired. The child is in secondary school, so not a very young child.

I have a good relationship with most of my pupils, and if they cancel occasionally, I don't charge them for the lesson. It annoys me though when people mess me around regularly and I don't get paid. Would I be unreasonable to tell all my pupils that from now on, they have to pay for four weeks in advance? If they can't make a lesson, I will rearrange it if possible, but otherwise they will lose the money, not me.

What would you think about this? From a parent's point of view, or from a teacher's point of view? What do other teachers do in your experience?

I feel that it's unfair to do this to the reasonable pupils, but can't implement this to some and not others, as a lot of them know each other!

AIBU or should I just suck it up that I am not employed, and it's the nature of the job that if a pupil doesn't turn up, I don't get paid?

For something similar I charge every half term for children, and every month for adults. At least 48 hours notice is to be given in advance for a cancellation or session change or the fee is not refunded/carried over. I make exceptions for extreme circumstances but these have to be something like a funeral or hospitalisation. Common illnesses, tiredness, school trips, etc are not excuses although I will re-arrange if possible.

Sorry, you've been too soft up until now, but you'll find people will respect a tough attitude When you write your letter, you can say something like "In line with other music teachers..." or "At the suggestion of the Musician's Union..." just so it sounds like you have a good reason rather than simply wanting to safeguard your income.

Have you considered providing music lessons within a school? Use the internet to discover what local schools offer then target those that don't offer your instrument. You could offer individual or group lessons.

We used to pay for the next lesson, so if you missed it the teacher was already paid.
You need to issue terms and conditions, stating how you will try to accommodate another time, but if this isn't possible they will have to pay for the missed lesson.

Hi !
I am a clarinet / sax teacher and I found that I had the same issues! I’ve been asking for parents to pay in advance now for over a year and it works really well. If they miss a lesson, I just make it up . It has made a huge difference and it also makes the accounting much easier ! Good luck 🤗

My mum was a violin teacher, and worked from home. Even in the 1970’s people paid in advance at the start of each term!

ZOMBIE THREAD

I pay for my sons lessons on blocks.

Zombie arghh

I pay for my daughters flute lessons termly and we have 3 weeks from the invoice being issued to pay. If we need to cancel a lesson we have to give 24hr notice and she’ll rearrange.
All their other activities are paid up front (during normal times) such as swimming, dance, Cubs. I don’t see why music lessons should be any different.

Yes ask for payment upfront and have a 24 hour cancellation policy. I have been stung by this myself with an after school club I ran.

My daughter had lessons at a private music school. She could have had the same lessons at her school from the same provider but she didn't want to miss lessons.
We paid termly. If my daughter couldn't attend , I would phone in good time but would not expect a refund. However, when my daughter's tutor was off for three weeks, due to the tutor having surgery, then three weeks were deducted.
As an aside, I never got those three weeks back, despite it being in the T&Cs and my many phone calls.
Suggest you charge termly, so if they miss, it's their loss.

DD had violin lessons with a teacher coming into school. At the beginning of term we got the invoice and no lessons until full payment was made.

If the teacher had to cancel she would take the lesson off the next term invoice. The same if the school had to close/cancelled the lesson because they weren’t able to provide the room or they had sports day/trip away etc. Luckily for the teacher the school was good I. Telling her the major events early.

All of DD’s hobbies work that way apart from her riding lessons but even there I would pay in block if asked.

I pay by lesson. If there is a timing problem, we sometimes rearrange for another day. It is usually the teacher who has the timing issue though. I would always let her know several days, if not weeks, in advance. I would be happy to pay monthly or termly.

I would tell parents if they don't give you at least xy days/weeks notice, you will still expect payment. After all giving music lessons isn't your hobby, it is your livelihood.