Drum Lesson Fee? How much is "high"?

I charge $60.00 per hour. $30.00 per half hour. Everyone seems very happy.
 
@bigd , thanks for the response! Yeah, I paid for one lesson (which is tomorrow) to get a feel for the guy, but I doubt I will be sticking around.

Wow, They made you pay just to get a feel for the guy. Something smells fishy already. Unless you're studying with a "name" teacher or someone in the area with a very good reputation, first lessons, should always be at either a reduced cost or even free.
 
Uh hey fellas!!!... Orange agent -- the guy who started this blog with a question about teachers.... remember him? :>) :>) He just posted that he got back from THAT lesson that he was going to go to and gave a real good response saying he came away with things new and old and now knows where he's heading. He's happy. Some of us are arguing here and I just thought everyone should know that our guy is getting what he wants to get! Ok, now back to the fighting.....
 
Jeff....Right. I play professionally AND teach drums (plus, i'm a local church pastor- go figure that combo!)... I teach because I DO want the extra income, but i also love fixing experienced players problems with their hands as well as getting a younger or newer drummer started down the right track. Maybe i'm that "exception" the other fella was talking about, I don't know. Not for me to say, but i'd like to think i am. (Wouldn't we all like to "think" that?) :>) Anyway, I totally agree with your comments as to one who plays AND teaches is in the better place to be a teacher because of the experience level on the theoretical as well as practical sides of the playing field. My 2. 5 cents officially offered. :>)

Kelly
 
So just got back from lessons about an hour ago and I gotta say, I had a great time. He spent some time asking my about my influences and where I wanted to be with the instrument. I played for him for a few minutes and then we got cookin' with some fundamentals. What I came away with was some new information and some I already knew. But! A clear understanding of all of it. It might be too beginner-ish for some of you fellas but I feel good about it.

Sounds great. As long as you feel you are getting something out of it, it is worth the money. As others mentioned, the teacher probably does kick back about a quarter to a third of that to the store. So the teacher is probably getting a decent rate and you are getting the instruction that you want. Keep us posted.

Jeff
 
Well, i guess the question as to "how much is too much" for drum lessons, can be kind of a relative thing. I suppose one might be more inclined to pay $35 or more if one was to study with Joe Morello or a "name" drummer. I don't think many people would wince at that. But, for taking lessons from a "music store teacher", where the store takes its percentage from the student, and then, to not know "which" teacher you're getting, i'd go... Hhhhhhmmmmmmm..... I live in Omaha and teach drums and charge $20 per hour per student. I have another job so it's not my total living... Would i pay $35 to some "guy"?? ...Not a chance. On the other hand, i think a teacher should charge what he believes his knowledge and time is worth. The teacher should feel good about what he's getting without the student feeling that he is being raked over the financial coals.

You won't get a lesson for $35 from Joe Morello, Zoro, Gregg Bissonette, Mark Schulmann or any other high profile professional. I would say it would be at least $75 and you would probably have to prove that you're going to be serious and dedicated, so that he won't feel as though he's wasting his time going over the same thing every lesson. You would show up unprepared one time and then he won't be teaching you after the second time. The lessons from someone like Joe won't about being a rock star and it will be frustrating quite often!

I have pretty much quit teaching because of such attitudes and due to the "parent living vicariously through her child" problems. It isn't fun for me to sit around, listening to a student struggle with what I gave him two months prior, while his over prepped soccer mom tells me that he's not the time keeper; he's the star! Since they don't want to listen and take my well-worn guidance, I just choose to no longer teach which gives me more time to focus on my most important student - me!

It just depends on what your goals are, your budget and your level of committment. $20-25 is too little for a professional (meaning that music is the sole income for the teacher). You also have to figure in travel cost and hassle. It isn't a great deal if the guy across town only charges $20 but it takes an hour there and back and you spend $15 in gas getting there (20+15 = $35). If it is around the corner but the price is higher, the convenience of taking from the teacher, all other things being equal, is worth the price considering the cost of gas, time and headaches in traffic taking from someone across town for a few dollars less.

Really, you have to check the ego thing here guys. It isn't a "I'm better than you" sour grapes kind of thing. There are more factors involved. Much of it is like anything else; a good teacher's job is to point you in a direction in an area in which you have flaws and tell you to go work on it and provide insight as to how to overcome the obstacles you find yourself faced with.

No teacher has a magic wand to transform you into (insert name of your favorite drummer here), complete with rock star lifestyle, complete with endorsments, free drugs, groupies who work at Hooters and a comlete high-end clothing line and a video on heavy rotation on MTV.

You get from the instrument what you put into it.

Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com
http://www.patentcoachmike.com
http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.facebook.com/mike.mccraw
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemccraw
http://twitter.com/mikemccraw
 
Mike says:

You won't get a lesson for $35 from Joe Morello,

Kelly: Of course Mike, I said, "$35 or MORE"... Of course these guys are going to cost more. :>) I'm mainly referring to guys who teach out here in Omaha. Trust me, they're not worth the gas money is costs to get out to them and Omaha is a small city and you can get across the city in about 15-20 minutes.

Mike says: It just depends on what your goals are, your budget and your level of committment. $20-25 is too little for a professional (meaning that music is the sole income for the teacher).

Kelly: First, the guys i teach have a high level of commitment with goals and frankly, out here in this economy, $20-$25 is about all these younger guys can afford and i'm giving them a service that they can't get elsewhere in town. I'm from Los Angeles originally and studied with Murray Spivack, Hank Bellson (shameless name drop), among others, and have had lots of studio and live playing and teaching experience and am firmly and realistically making something available to these guys that just doesn't exist out here. You'd be surprised at some of what passes for a quality drum education here. Second: A "professional" is someone who makes a living or receives payment for playing music on a regular basis and not necessarily someone who makes their "sole living" playing music.


Mike says: .... a good teacher's job is to point you in a direction in an area in which you have flaws and tell you to go work on it and provide insight as to how to overcome the obstacles you find yourself faced with.

Kelly: Precisely what i am doing. :>) You have nailed my teaching philosophy on the head here.
 
Mike says:

You won't get a lesson for $35 from Joe Morello,

Kelly: Of course Mike, I said, "$35 or MORE"... Of course these guys are going to cost more. :>) I'm mainly referring to guys who teach out here in Omaha. Trust me, they're not worth the gas money is costs to get out to them and Omaha is a small city and you can get across the city in about 15-20 minutes.

Yeah, I know - I used to make a living playing at McKenna's; Omaha IS a small town and there's nothing wrong with that. Joe Morello's name was brought up in conjunction with $35 for a lesson. Joe charges far more than that. I wasn't aware that he now resides in Omaha. Not "many" people need a lesson from Joe. Also, my reason for stating this was that people are inclined to read such a post and think - "A lesson with Joe Morello only costs $35! Wow- where can I sign up!"

Mike says: It just depends on what your goals are, your budget and your level of committment. $20-25 is too little for a professional (meaning that music is the sole income for the teacher).

Kelly: First, the guys i teach have a high level of commitment with goals and frankly, out here in this economy, $20-$25 is about all these younger guys can afford and i'm giving them a service that they can't get elsewhere in town. I'm from Los Angeles originally and studied with Murray Spivack, Hank Bellson (shameless name drop), among others, and have had lots of studio and live playing and teaching experience and am firmly and realistically making something available to these guys that just doesn't exist out here. You'd be surprised at some of what passes for a quality drum education here. Second: A "professional" is someone who makes a living or receives payment for playing music on a regular basis and not necessarily someone who makes their "sole living" playing music.

Sure.....and you would be suprised what passes for quality drum education in many places. Murray Spivack was another high quality teacher and you just didn't show up to a lesson with him unprepared either! As far as $20-25, sometimes motivation comes with what you are paying - i.e. "I'm paying this money and I want to have something to show for it. I will, as a result, work at it to get my money's worth!""

At a lower price, the mentality tends to become that it doesn't matter. Lastly, professional is also a mindset as well like not being a sourpuss when something or someone contradicts or expounds on what you are saying or getting pissed off when someone adds to the conversation.

[/quote]


Mike says: .... a good teacher's job is to point you in a direction in an area in which you have flaws and tell you to go work on it and provide insight as to how to overcome the obstacles you find yourself faced with.

Kelly: Precisely what i am doing. :>) You have nailed my teaching philosophy on the head here.[/QUOTE]

I'm glad that you are following my philosophy exactly, Kelly! Good luck in Omaha; hopefully you more success there than you did in LA! It sounds as though you already know it all and are already winning friends and influencing people - at least here on Drummerworld! Ooops -did I say influencing - I meant offending people! Don't worry - I will gracefully avoid having anything to do with you in the future - on Drummerworld or anywhere else for that matter! Good luck on winning friends with your passive-aggressive tone - I'm sure it will do wonders for you in a small town like Omaha.


Mike

http://www.mikemccraw.com
http://www.dominoretroplate.com
http://www.patentcoachmike.com
http://www.youtube.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.myspace.com/drummermikemccraw
http://www.facebook.com/mike.mccraw
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemccraw
http://twitter.com/mikemccraw
 
Last edited:
Uh hey fellas!!!... Orange agent -- the guy who started this blog with a question about teachers.... remember him? :>) :>) He just posted that he got back from THAT lesson that he was going to go to and gave a real good response saying he came away with things new and old and now knows where he's heading. He's happy. Some of us are arguing here and I just thought everyone should know that our guy is getting what he wants to get! Ok, now back to the fighting.....

Hahaha, thank you kind sir! I like a heated debate as much as the next guy! Just as long as it continues to be respectful, of course.



Sounds great. As long as you feel you are getting something out of it, it is worth the money. As others mentioned, the teacher probably does kick back about a quarter to a third of that to the store. So the teacher is probably getting a decent rate and you are getting the instruction that you want. Keep us posted.

Jeff

Will do! Thank you much!
 
Glad your first lesson worked out. Depending on where you are in Montgomery County, you should also check out Victor Litz Music in Gaithersburg. I take lessons there with Mike Smirnoff, who is an excellent teacher and drummer. I could not be happier and could not recommend him more. Runs $25 for a 30 minute lesson.
 
Glad your first lesson worked out. Depending on where you are in Montgomery County, you should also check out Victor Litz Music in Gaithersburg. I take lessons there with Mike Smirnoff, who is an excellent teacher and drummer. I could not be happier and could not recommend him more. Runs $25 for a 30 minute lesson.

Oh wow, thanks man! I definitely check him out! I'm in the Olney/Rockville area so G-burg is right up the road. Anyhow, I really appreciate that!
 
Mike,

I think the problem with communicating via Email type forums is showing through here. You've misunderstood my "attitude" in my responses to you. I was shocked to readyour last series of demeaning remarks to me. But let's do this; Please allow mea to apologize to you for the misunderstading in tone or what you "heard" s me being "passive-aggressive." Not what i intended at all. I just have very strong opinions, as i can see that you do as well. Perhaps we could start over....

Kelly
 
Back
Top