Lesson Lengths – Do 45 Minute Lessons Really Work? (All Teachers)

[Phil Schneider]

Since starting 45 minute lessons. I have found they are good for beginners but also I am liking the length for myself. Some students benefit from an hour for more indepth music. I only teach adults and Diane point is what I find. Work / family any thing else leads to cancelations. Also like Diane I can only keep saying 24 hours notice to cancel, but a lot of students dont pay or cancel 25 hours before. You can only push it so far without losing students. Any student with 3 cancelations in a row usually means giving them an off peak time. This type will nearly always continue with eratic attendance and think its perfectly acceptable.

[Guest Teacher]

I find that 45 minute lessons are beneficial for students towards the end of grade 3 and onwards. I find more is accomplished as the pieces get more technically demanding. I also start my students on Hanon or Gunther exercises so this is sufficient time. Additionally my singing students prefer a longer lesson as sometimes warm-ups take 10 minutes. If we’re preparing for a singing exam, Grade 1 students enjoy the longer singing sessions.

[Phil Schneider]

I have standardised the 45 minute lesson for 2 years now from my point of view I prefer it. I did have a student who wanted a 90 minute lesson which I did reluctantly. I found it more like a 2 hour lesson. Its like running 1 mile regularly then running 2 miles at the same pace and wondering why you feel exhausted.

[Alan Tang]

Depends on the student for me. I once had a student who was very young (5 years) who I taught for an hour. It was for logistical reasons as the drive to them was 45 mins. In hindsight, 30 mins would have been better!!! However, this student is now able to concentrate for longer periods of time but in my opinion it is a combination of age and those 60 mins lessons when he was younger.

I think by default I teach 30 mins or 60 mins for ease but have noticed when I increase to 45 mins I can get more covered. I have also noticed that I have done this with those preparing for exams and I tend to do this about 6 weeks before. 45 mins or 60 mins virtually can be quite tough though.