OK, first of all...
U have to understand you are NOT paying for the teacher`s living expenses...no. ( not to the mum, to the previous posters )
There`s a reason why professionals start at 40 per half hour.
Of caz, there`re always teachers on the higher end who are not really `good` teachers.
But that lot is definately lesser.
And it is your job to scout the better teacher for your child.
As you`ve said there are teachers and college lecturers who agree that your child should be much better ( so your main focus is on getting an experienced and capable teacher, not fussing over the paying as much as 40, but not learning anything problem. As it will not happen if you got the correct teacher, and the way you`re putting it, is as if profesisonals are not worth the money, that anybody who charges 20 or so can get the job done as well...)
Why don`t u try approaching the college lecturers then? I`m sure they charge no less than that miserable 20, but definately teach well.
Okay, point proven.

So my point is, there`s a reson why lessons start at 40 bucks per half hour:
You`re paying for the teacher`s expertise, not expense. Reputable teachers will not charge 20 and below. I`ve never come across serious, experienced pros who charged that low.
If you`re a mummy who understands that quality is of utmost importance and that not everyone can get the job well done, then you ought not back these teens` stand of `why are lessons so expensive`. Caz it`s a teacher`s right to quote that price. It`s self respect. If a teacher knows that he`s worth that price and that people come to him for serious learning, then he WILL start at the price.
And to your information, I will choose that few who pays the 40 rather than the group lessons that pays 20 per head. As I`ll probably get more as a teacher out of potentially commited students based on a one to one cirriculum.
As I`ve mentioned, u get to play, but never play decently when in a public school lesson, whereby the teacher`s attention is divided amongst several children.

PS: And not to mention fees... I remember travelling all over the place when I was probably your son`s age just to attend masterclasses. What about the transport fees then?
So, if u know that yr 40 bucks is going to get your son every inch and pound of what he deserves, then that`s why lessons are worth that money. IT IS ALWAYS WORTH. Unless you scouted for the wrong teacher, which is definately
most unfortunate.
Thank you.

So if a music teachers works 40 hours at a school he will make 40 hours x $20.00 = 800.00
or in private lessons 40 kids x $30.00 each = $1,200
I think music tutors should have paid attention to math just a little more.
P.S. professional musicians don`t tutor they perform.
Also if the only students you want are those that can afford you, then what happens to the truly talented?
Talent can`t be bought, either you have or you don`t.
So out of the thousands of students that have tutors how many have no talent, but the tutor takes thier money anyway.

um, my flute teacher teaches (and tutors i guess you can call it a form of teaching) and also plays professionally. in case you might not be aware, A) orchestral jobs don`t pay that well unless you play with the Met pit etc. B) there are people who love teaching C) and they have the right to charge that because they are providing you with knowledge which in most cases is priceless...

I agree with fruitloops ( why does that sound silly ), most teachers also play in local orchestras. My teacher certainly does. She also performs with a different orchestra in the summer.

Yes. Fluteloops understands becayse he learns from a real profesisonal.
And to (attention!) No one single performer survives just by playing or performing. It is too aloof an idea. Even if you`re first chair, the most that they do pay is only 7000-8000.
And why professionals are worth that money, besides the dact that they are specialised, that they deliver, most importantly, they teach with their heart.
That`s why we choose to teach on a one to one basis, not in mass gropus in public schools. It`s not simply because we can`t do Math.
And normally, those students who make an effort to save for their fees, or really want to learn decently from an experienced teacher will find ways to afford their fees by hook or by crook. It`s often these kids that go far. Because they know that what they`re getting back is much more worth than that $40 per half hour.
And I think (attention!) u ought to redo your sums. An average teacher teaches 30 hours per week in her own studio( if she`s really packed with students ), not 30 or 40 hours in a month.
So, it really ought to be... $40x4x30pax=4800 minimum! IF all the 30 pax are beginners and that means the teacher`s only working 15 hours per week. So if she chooses to fulfil her own personal time table-30 hours, that`ll mean $40x4x60 pax=$9600! And that is if she purely sticks to just teaching...don`t forget the extra income for masterclasses which often starts at 100-200 per pax.
it just goes to show how ignorant u are about how this `circle` or this line works.

In all actuality, most teachers really do need the money. I am a college student, and I personally charge 15-20 per hour depending on the age of the student. My professor, a very well known Violist and composer in the area, charges up to $75 an hour. I pay the price because every lesson is worth it.

In response to no sure:

Your son will quickly find that playing the hardest music and learning the supposed "great" concertos is NOT the way to break into the field of music, ESPECIALLY STRING PLAYING.

I take offensive to all the jabber about public schools. I am a product of a public school, but I also paid for my private lessons. I was ambitious, I worked extremely hard. At first I was not the best, but my parents thought that I was. In the long run, the long, hard earned skills that only come with honed practicing and one on one time with a PRIVATE TEACHER allow string players to excel while playing concertos and other fine musical works.

If I were you, I would be concerned as to what skills your son has learned. Is his left hand as technically good as his right? Does he know all of the different strokes, tensions.

Better yet, does your son know any music theory at all whatsoever? Does he have an Aural Skills?

These are answers I would seek to find before plungin your son into an environment he may not be able to thrive in.

Mustpractice, there is no need to be so offensive

Completely agrees with BellaViola and violavox. I think a big reason that lessons are so expensive this that you don`t need it (completely optional for everyday things). So if you can pay for it then you do. Though I do feel sorry for those that wants being a musician as a career to pay for those fees.

Also, I think a teacher is most important in teaching proper technique and theory (these you can really teach yourself but easier with a teacher), not necessarily what is "good" or "appropriate" musically (like the "pianistic touch" or what ever).

Dear ignorance MustPractice

Thats right professional get paid 50.00 an hour to be first chair in the best orchestra`s. however most tuors are not of that caliber and have never made it to first chair so why do they charge as much. I think what the poster and most parents are trying to say is that the fees are not appropriate for students that only want to play but have no intention to pursue it as a profession. Some actually just play because its fun.I`m also amazed that to have such a highly talented child as the previous poster has, that not one of you offered to be his tutor!I don`t know if you know the great tennis duo the William`s sisters. When a tennis teacher spotted them he paid to take them to florida and train them, he paid for a home for them and he taugth them both for free. Because he saw the talent, and now he is rewarded hansomely for his efforts. Asking students to steal to pay for lessons is the most shameful advise I have ever heard!!"by hook or by crook" Pay attention teachers the parents and students need you, work with them not against them.

by charging extra doesn`t mean that the teachers are working against the student. my teacher is my biggest supporter and model. yet she still has to charge money to MAKE A LIVING! Not everyone is able to start teaching for free and buying houses for their students, no matter how talented he/she may be...as for not offering to teach the original poster`s child. well, a) who is he? b) have you heard him play before? c) it`s just not practical to offer such a thing in a forum. though i`ll have to agree, if the kid is not serious about pursuing music in the future, there is no need for a teacher who charges 40 ish for an hour.

My son is very serious about his music and it will be his profession, that is not the problem. Its finding a teacher that takes him seriously thats the problem.I have been told by a youth orchestra conductor who heard my son play say that my son is "the closest thing to a prodgy he had ever seen in his life time" as i stated before financially we are fine but even i can`t afford $78,000.00 dollars a year for lessons. And no thats not a misprint..
Seventy eight thousand dollars per year!!!!
As recommend by the director of the conservertory of music.
50.00 an hour x 6 hours per day = 300.00 per day x 5 days a weeek =1,500.00 x 52 weeks = $78,000.00
So like i said before, in my opinion the rates are too high.

if you don`t feel that the teacher`s knowledge is worth the money (which might be the case, i`m not being sarcastic) then switch teachers. but music lessons do go about that high annually. every instrument. so, you`re not alone (if that could possibly make you feel any better)

wow, i just read the math part (pertaining to Not Sure) um...so i`m guessing that your son studies at a conservatory? every day??? for 6 fricken hours? okay, dedication, granted...awesome, keep it up. but wait until college...

no sure: wow, no one wants to give ur kid cheap lessons?!!! so i guess when he`s an adult, he`s going to give free lessons to all the kids regardless of their ability to pay.

to must practice: God it takes u so long to get to the point. u are so boring.