How much for violin lessons for four year old?

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DD (4) has started violin lessons online in lockdown- the teacher is experienced with young children and as I understand it (I’m not a string player) she is using some aspects of the Suzuki method but she says she adapts it according to the child. It’s going well anyway so far, DD is enjoying it and making progress and the teacher has a great rapport with her and the lessons are about musicality as well as technique. I’d like it if we could progress soon to face to face lessons but the teacher isn’t keen given Covid restrictions which of course I accept. However, the price of the lessons is increasing from £25 to £30 (for 30 minutes); I can see that there are cheaper lessons available locally (Yorkshire). I’d appreciate advice on the price- is it much higher than average? I realise it depends on the experience of the teacher too - just trying to gauge whether to try somewhere else.

It sounds a lot for 30 mins for a 4 year old. Only you know if you think it is value for money, and if you can afford it or not.

Could you search around and see if there is anything else locally?

My dd did piano and D's did electric guitar. Both had 1-1 lessons but after about 2 1/2 years sons teacher left area and I had to find new lessons. He started a small group lesson with three others and a different teacher and he preferred it. This was much cheaper too. Both did music grades.

Wow! £30 an hour is the going rate where I am. My son's teacher went to the Royal College of Music and she is only £30 an hour and comes to the house!! He's also grade 8 so the teacher has to be a high level musician.

Ouch. Music teacher here. That's more than anyone I know charges. That would get you an hour lesson in the East Midlands, and even my mum who is a music teacher in Surrey and also trained at RCM only charges £20 per half hour lesson, which is the going rate down there.

Ok- thanks so much for your responses- really helpful. I’ll have a look and see what else is available.

Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you? I'm a violin teacher in East Riding so might be able to help you out with suggestions if you're near by!

Thank you so much- we’re in Leeds so a bit far probably but please let me know if you have any suggestions!

I did my degree in Leeds so still have a few contacts! Let me ask around and I might be able to put you in contact with somebody.

That sounds a lot. My dc all started suzuki Method at age 4, but did 15/20 mins only at that age and it cost a maximum of £10 (based on the current charge of £40 an hr).

@Ilovewheelychairs

I did my degree in Leeds so still have a few contacts! Let me ask around and I might be able to put you in contact with somebody.

Thank you- that would be great

Mine did Suzuki, 15 min lessons at that age, £40 an hour.

I think musicians union rate is £40 an hour minimum , which is what we pay so that is quite steep. Our teacher comes to the house ( not now obviously) and has a post grad perf degree and plays in a professional orchestra for that price.

I don't pay £60 an hour for high level teaching (also in Yorkshire). Hope wheely chairs can help you out. But Im delighted your little one is enjoying it

I’m not a music teacher but my DD1 did violin to Grade 8 and started very young, I’m surprised there is an expectation for it to be cheaper for small children, surely you are paying for the teacher’s time rather than the level? Irrespective, the pedagogical skills required to engage a 4 year old with a tricky instrument are arguably higher than those needed for a motivated, Grade 6, 14 year old.
That price sounds okay to me for a qualified teacher, it’s a very skilled job. I’m surprised to learn it is considered expensive by other teachers too.
If the child is enjoying it and you can afford it, I would risk a change or challenge.

I’m super impressed your Dd can focus for 30 minutes during an online lesson. That’s amazing at 4!

I would be cautious about switching if your DD is progressing well and has a good rapport with teacher. What is the teacher's background/experience? I know of several who teach in JD's / specialist schools that charge upwards of £60 per hour and deservedly so.

Doesn't matter whether the child is 4 or 18, the expertise and knowledge applied is the same. In fact, it's a lot more difficult to find teachers who can work successfully with 4 yr olds. Suzuki teachers are few and far between outside of London.

I pay £16.50 for half hour to two of my DDs' teachers (one of whom is asking waaay to little IMHO), £20 for a third and £60 per hour for DD's violin teacher when we have holiday lessons outside of JD. It really does depend on their background.

If it seems a lot, think how much we willingly pay for a plumber or car mechanic. Music teachers are vastly undervalued and really great ones should be held on to....

Aurea I think you've got a good deal, but in my experience, teachers really enjoy teaching advanced, motivated students (I'm assuming this applies to your DS); I certainly got that impression from my instrumental teachers many years ago - all of them had been to specialist music colleges in London, yet spent much of their time teaching bored eight year olds grade one; the rather rarer grade 8 students were welcome relief!

Thank you all; agree it’s an additional skill to teach small children and would expect to pay for that. It’s been helpful to get an idea of cost of lessons. I want to stick with the teacher if possible as she’s got a great connection with DD.