Don't Start Lessons Without Asking This Question

As a Student Counselor at TakeLessons, I get to talk to lots of new students and help them find the right private teacher for music lessons, academic tutoring, or performing arts. The question I always ask new students to help them plan for success is: Are you ready to commit the time you need to achieve your goals?

When you’re just getting started, thinking about a time-frame for your lessons will help you set goals and plan for success. While there’s no magic number of lessons that is guaranteed to bring you top grades or rock star skills, I have noticed some general trends as I talk with our students.

Students who commit to several months of lessons when they are just starting out see more results and tend to want to continue taking lessons after the first package of lessons they book. Because of the time they commit, these students gain more from their lessons and find a deeper connection and passion for their subject. I took a look at some numbers, and it turns out that students who commit to at least 12 lessons up front rather than just 4 or 5 are 30% more likely to continue taking lessons beyond their initial commitment.

Why do these students get so much more out of their lessons?

Students who make a larger time commitment to their lessons are making a bigger investment in themselves and their learning. They tend to be more serious and motivated than the average student, and many of them go on to do amazing things. By investing in themselves in this way, they gain lots of extra confidence in addition to the new skills and knowledge that taking lessons brings.

Why wouldn’t you commit to more lessons?

It can be scary to commit your time to a new activity, and many students under-commit because they are afraid of failure. If there is something that you want to do, whether it is improving your grades, playing the piano, or acting on stage, but fear prevents you from earnestly and whole-heartedly trying to do it, this is a greater loss for you and for the world than if you tried and did not succeed. You will never know what you are truly capable of unless you dive in head-first.

Of course, how many lessons you should take depends on your personal goals and what you hope to gain from the experience. For some students, it is totally appropriate to schedule just a few voice lessons before an audition or several tutoring sessions to prepare for an exam. However, for most beginning students, making a longer commitment to lessons is the best way to ensure deeper learning and lay a foundation for great success.