Any time I'm getting the word out that I have private lesson slots available, there are always people who are interested but say they can't afford my tuition rates.

I'm always happy to offer referrals for other awesome teachers I know who charge less or tell them about my classes at The Passim School of Music which are a wikkid bahgain.

What I've learned over the years though, is that sometimes it's about the money and more often, it isn't.  There are people who say they can't afford it because, unconsciously, they don't think they're good enough to be "worthy" of paying my rates.  How do I know? Because they say things like, "Well, maybe I'd make it work if I had any natural musical talent, but I really don't have a musical bone in my body."

Related to that is how people prioritize where they invest their money.  I had a student a few years ago get really annoyed with me about my rates because they're quite a bit higher than the teacher she'd be studying with. A few weeks later, she and her husband embarked on a month-long adventure in India.  She was one of the people who'd expressed thoughts that indicated that she didn't feel like she was "good enough" to be worth the investment.

Why does this matter? Because it's really easy to assume that people don't have money and use that as an excuse to continue undercharging for our work.  The reality is that we have no idea what's in people's wallets and bank accounts, and it's none of our business.

If you're thinking, "Well you must only teach really rich people, Janet", I understand why you would think that, but it's not the case. Sure, I have an attorney and a doctor on my student roster, but I also have a waitperson and a teacher.

So when you find yourself thinking things like, "Well, people won't pay more than I'm charging because the economy is bad right now." or "People looking for private lessons are so cheap.", think again. You don't know.

The number of people who tell me they can't afford it or complain about my rates is exactly the same as it was twelve years ago when I charged a third of what I do now.  Also, my student roster is always full, and my turnover is low.

Because most of the time, it's not about the money. Or, how we feel about the money part is often a reflection of the beliefs we have about ourselves, and people in general.

A current student organizes events for a non-profit organization. Her job is demanding. Also, she has an elderly dad and needy older brother who she takes care of, i.e. schleps to doctor appointments, helps translate correspondence into English, among other things.  She's been interested in private lessons in past years, but said she couldn't afford them.

This summer, she made the investment and we're having a blast.  When it came time for her to renew for a new semester, she decided not to continue because she said she's traveling a bunch for work, so she wouldn't be consistently available for lessons - notice that she didn't give money as the excuse!

Because she's used to being the one who takes care of everyone else, it's way out of her comfort zone to make this investment in herself.  When she registered for her current semester, and paid in full vs. the payment plan, I did a happy dance for her!

For me, charging a living wage for what you offer is the artist/teacher version of what the flight attendants say about putting your own oxygen mask on before helping others.

Hey, if you're passed out or dead, you can't help anyone! 

I love my students so much, and have plenty of energy to offer them a robust lesson experience because I'm able to earn a living wage teaching 4 nights a week.  This is vs. 12 years ago when in order to do that, I had to teach 6 days a week, 3 of them being 12 hour days, plus worked during all school vacations and summer camp.

What beliefs are you holding on to that are keeping you underpaid and overworked?

p.s. Check out a lovely review below of my book, Practicing Safe Music - create an emotionally safe and magical space for your students, while rocking your self care: