"Signing Up" for Guitar Lessons




Most guitar teachers use some sort of “policy” which has all of the specific logistics of guitar lessons in writing. This is, in effect, a legally binding contract between the guitar teacher and the guitar student (or parents). Below you will find some items that might be found in a guitar teacher’s studio policies.

FEES – the manner in which you must pay for your guitar lessons should be clearly communicated.

  • TUITION: guitar teachers require their students to pay for their guitar lessons in many different ways such as: once a month, once a quarter, or at each guitar lesson. Some guitar teachers charge an “hourly rate” while others charge a “monthly rate” (in which you pay the same amount each month for your guitar lessons even if there are Holidays in that month).

  • REGISTRATION FEES: New guitar students may be required to pay a one-time (or annually reoccurring) registration fee.

  • LATE PAYMENT FEES: The deadline for payment of fees should be clearly explained. If you fail to meet that deadline, there may be a penalty for late payment.

  • BOUNCED CHECK FEES: If you write a check to your guitar teacher for your guitar lessons, and if that check gets returned to your guitar teacher due to insufficient funds, you may be required to reimburse your guitar teacher for more than a simple late payment fee.

  • MATERIALS: Some guitar teachers will provide their guitar students with all of their guitar music for a fee. Other guitar teachers will ask that you pay for each item as needed.

  • FESTIVALS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER EVENTS. If your guitar teacher has you participate in other activities in addition to your private guitar lessons, there may be an extra fee for that (which may or may not be paid directly to your guitar teacher).

GUITAR LESSONS CALENDAR – the times when your guitar lessons are to be held should be clearly communicated.

  • GUITAR LESSONS EVERY WEEK. Most guitar teachers require their guitar students to enroll in guitar lessons on a continuing basis from week to week.

  • SUMMER GUITAR LESSONS. Many guitar teachers do teach during this summer months. This is usually due to two main reasons. First long breaks from guitar lessons can really set back progress. Second, their guitar teaching is most likely their main source of income, and they probably need that income to continue in the summer. If you decide to not take guitar lessons in the summer, some guitar teachers will require you to drop out of their guitar studio and re-enroll in the fall.

  • HOLIDAYS AND VACATION. Most guitar teachers will include which days are considered “Holidays” and Vacation days. You may or may not pay a different amount when your guitar lessons happen to fall on one of these days.

MISSED GUITAR LESSONS – if you miss a guitar lesson for some reason, the studio policy will often communicate the consequences of your absence. Some guitar teachers are generous about offering makeup guitar lessons as long as you contact them before the scheduled guitar lesson (often at least 24 hours in advance), but other guitar teachers will not offer private makeup guitar lessons. This too is understandable since your guitar teacher has reserved a spot in their schedule for you, and if you choose to not attend that meeting for any reason, that time is still reserved even if you are not at your guitar lesson.

RESCHEDULING GUITAR LESSONS – some guitar teachers give you the option to reschedule one of your guitar lessons if you know in advance that you will be unable to attend your guitar lesson at the normally scheduled time. Most guitar teachers will not reschedule guitar lessons on a regular basis. This is usually done infrequently.

TERMINATING GUITAR LESSONS – all guitar teacher policies should contain instructions regarding how to end your guitar lessons if such a need arises. Most guitar teachers require a minimum two-week notice. This usually means that once you provide notice (usually required in writing), then you are responsible for paying for your guitar lessons two weeks after that notice has been given even if you do not attend those guitar lessons.

PRACTICING – some guitar teachers put specific practicing requirements in their guitar teacher policies.