Music Lesson Membership vs Pay Per Lesson: Which Costs Less?

Paying per lesson costs less if a weekly private lesson is all you want. A membership costs less once you add group classes, a place to practice and an instrument to use. In Boston a private hour typically runs $70 to $150. The comparison below uses those rates and our published membership prices, so you can do the sum for your own case.

The Two Models

Pay per lesson. You pay a teacher for each lesson, usually weekly, sometimes in a pack of several at a small discount. You supply the instrument and the practice space.

Membership. You pay a monthly rate that includes a set number of private lessons, group classes and practice hours. The instruments are at the studio.

The Boston Numbers

• Private lesson, 60 minutes: $70 to $150.
• Private lesson, 30 minutes: $40 to $75.
• Group class: $20 to $40 a session.
• Musicians Playground membership: $170 to $480 a month. The $320 tier includes two private hours and up to 8 group classes. The $480 tier includes four private hours and up to 8 group classes.

Three Cases

Case 1: One Private Lesson a Week, Nothing Else

Four private hours a month at Boston rates is $280 to $600. Our tier with four private hours is $480. If you find a good teacher at the lower end of the range, and you have an instrument and somewhere to play it, paying per lesson is cheaper. Take that deal.

Case 2: Two Private Lessons a Month Plus a Weekly Class

Two private hours is $140 to $300. Four group classes is $80 to $160. Together, $220 to $460 a month bought separately, if you can find group classes for adults at all. The $320 tier covers two private hours and up to 8 classes. The membership is level or ahead, and well ahead if you use more than four classes.

Case 3: Classes Only

Eight group classes a month at $20 to $40 is $160 to $320. The $220 tier covers up to 8. Roughly level on price, so decide on class size and schedule instead. Ours are 3 to 6 adults.

The Costs a Per-Lesson Price Leaves Out

• Practice space. Rehearsal rooms in Boston are rented by the hour. A membership here includes up to 8 hours a month.
• The instrument. A weighted keyboard starts around $300 to $500 and a beginner guitar at $150 to $300. Drums need a kit and a place to hit it. At a studio you use theirs first.
• Other players. An independent teacher rarely has a class, a band or a stage for you. Those are what keep adults playing.
• Missed lessons. Check the cancellation policy on both sides. A lesson you pay for and miss is the most expensive kind.

When Pay Per Lesson Is the Right Call

• You already own the instrument and can practice at home without complaints.
• You want one-to-one teaching only and have no interest in classes.
• Your schedule is too irregular for anything monthly.
• You have found a specific teacher you want to study with.

When a Membership Is the Right Call

• You are a beginner and do not own an instrument yet.
• You live in an apartment where practice is a problem, especially for drums, voice or acoustic piano.
• You want to play with other adults, not only for a teacher.
• You know you are more likely to show up for a class than to practice alone.

A Middle Route

Lesson packs are a block of lessons bought up front, without a monthly commitment. We sell them, and so do many teachers. See lesson packs and the membership page for current figures.

Test the Sum for $100

Start with the $100 Intro Week: a one hour private lesson, seven days of unlimited group classes and open practice time. It is a paid week, and the $100 applies toward a membership or a lesson pack if you continue.

More on price: how much music lessons cost in Boston. More on format: private lessons vs group classes. Choosing a school: how to choose an adult music school in Boston.

We are at 33 West Street, Downtown Crossing, Boston, MA 02111. Call (617) 356-8206 if that is easier.