Make More Money Teaching Piano

Are you looking to make more money for the same teaching hours? Or teaching fewer hours?

Aren’t we all!

In this article, I want to share 4 ideas with you that could help you do just that.

I talk more about these formats and even more options in the new Make More, Teach Less course inside TopMusicPro. If you’re a member, click here to go to that course.

Read through to the bottom to grab a free download from the new TopMusicPro course.

Make More, Teach Less Method 1: Partner Lessons

Partner lessons are a simple no-brainer way to make more out of your teaching time by teaching 2 students at once!

Partner piano lessons can be taught at one piano or two and generally don’t need a bigger teaching space than you already have for your one-on-one lessons.

Most teachers charge about 75% of their regular rate for each piano partner, meaning you make 1.5 x your regular teaching rate for the same time.

Benefits of Partner Lessons

• No extra equipment required
• Not too big a leap into the unknown

Drawbacks of Partner Lessons

• Can be tricky to schedule
• Partners can end up out of sync/pace with each other

Useful resources if you’re considering partner lessons

• How to Adapt Your Teaching for Partner Piano Lessons
• 6 Benefits of Partner Piano Lessons
• How I Make Lesson Plans for Partner Piano Lessons

Make More, Teach Less Method 2: Buddy Lessons

Buddy lessons are lessons that overlap in the middle, like this:

The amount of time for each portion can vary. The most common setup is either 30 minutes solo + 30 minutes buddy time or 45 minutes solo + 15 minutes overlap. Bear in mind that the more time you spend in the buddy portion of the lesson, the more profitable you will be.

Buddy lessons are easier to schedule than partner lessons because both kids do not need to be at the same level, but it’s best if they’re close in age.

TopMusicPro members you can watch an online seminar on innovative lesson formats right now. 

Benefits of Buddy Lessons

• No extra equipment required
• Still have some solo time so levelling not an issue

Drawbacks of Buddy Lessons

• Need extra time to plan in the beginning
• Not maximising your income – just a little extra

Useful resources if you’re considering buddy lessons

• How to Plan and Introduce Buddy Lessons in Your Studio
• The Ultimate Compendium of Buddy Lesson Activities

Make More, Teach Less Method 3: Lab Time

Lab time is done directly before or after your student’s lesson, while you’re teaching another student. During this time, students generally work on iPad apps, theory assignments or practice at a keyboard with headphones.

Once your piano lab is set up this doesn’t really alter your teaching style all that much. You’ll still be teaching regular one-on-one lessons, your students will just be adding another component onto their lessons to reinforce their learning.

Benefits of Piano Lab Time

• Minimal changes to your teaching style
• No extra scheduling conflicts

Drawbacks of Piano Lab Time

• Need extra equipment such as iPad, digital piano, computer
• Parents may not be willing to pay a premium rate for this time
• Unlikely to work for very young students

Useful resources if you’re considering adding lab time

• CPTP027: Piano Lab Time with Michelle Sisler
• The Basics of Starting a Music Lab

Make More, Teach Less Method 4: Group Lessons

The best way to really maximise your teaching income and minimise your teaching time is to convert to group lessons.

This isn’t easy, and it certainly isn’t for everyone. But the more students you teach at once, the more earning potential you have.

Benefits of Group Lessons

• Maximise your income
• Social lesson environment for students

Drawbacks of Group Lessons

• May need bigger teaching space and extra instruments
• Big transition for you and may require more planning time

Useful resources if you’re considering adding group lessons

• 5 Tips to Help You Convert to Group Lessons
• Mistakes to Avoid When You Start Teaching Group Piano
• Tips and Tricks for Group Piano Students are Ahead (or Behind)

How will you make more money in your piano studio?

Please share in the comments if one of these ideas inspired you, or if you have another idea to maximise teaching income.

If you need some help with lesson planning, don’t forget to download my 3 Keys to a Comprehensive Piano Lesson Plan.