15/06/2026
Hi parents,
If you’re looking for music lessons for your child, one of the first questions to consider is whether you should stay at home and have the tutor come to you, or go to a studio for lessons.
As always, there are pros and cons to both options.
These are the sorts of things we discuss with parents as part of the enquiry process, so we can help organise the right lessons for each family.
Price
Let’s start with the obvious one. Price.
Lesson prices in NW London and SW Herts vary greatly between tutors and music schools. However, as a general guide, at-home lessons are often around £10 to £20 more expensive than lessons at a music school or in the tutor’s home.
So the question is often:
Would you rather save the money, or save the time?
There is genuinely an argument for both.
Home tuition is very popular with our families. Parents often say they’d rather get dinner on and not have to put the whole family in the car.
Others are happy to get out of the house and don’t mind the journey.
Location
Depending on where you live, there may not be a good music tutor near you.
This is especially true in affluent suburbs. Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen a lot of tutors move out of the area, with many now teaching online or travelling in for lessons.
If you have a good tutor near you, great.
If not, unless you’re prepared for a one-hour round trip, home tuition may be the better option.
Tutor experience
Historically, most established, in-demand tutors do not offer home visits.
That doesn’t mean good home tutors don’t exist, but it does mean you need to look carefully at the tutor’s quality, experience and track record, and may pay quite a bit more.
One thing to ask any provider is whether all tutors are priced the same, or whether the price reflects the tutor’s level of experience.
A single price can be simpler, but it may also limit the range of tutors available. A tiered system can give families more choice, with some opting for the most affordable suitable tutor, and others choosing to pay more for someone with a longer track record and stronger experience.
The point is not that one option is always better. It’s about finding the right balance between budget, convenience and tutor experience, as well as someone with an approach that is right for your child.
Groups vs one-to-one
Home tuition usually means one-to-one lessons.
Studio-based lessons may provide more options, including group classes, depending on the provider.
This can be especially helpful for younger beginners, as children often enjoy learning alongside others and having the opportunity to play music as part of a group.
Focus
Where does your child work best?
Are they more relaxed and focused at home, or would lessons in a professional setting be more productive?
This can depend on siblings, noise levels and the layout of the house. Some students find it harder to focus in a busy or open-plan home.
For other children, being at home helps them feel relaxed, confident and ready to learn.
What next
I hope this has been useful and given you some helpful things to think about, whoever you choose to learn with.
At GTB Music School, we offer music lessons for children in your home, in our studios and online, including guitar, piano, drums and more.
📞 If you would like to find out more about the options available, you’re welcome to schedule a call via the link below:
https://calendly.com/peterelliot/discusslessonoptions
Peter Elliot
Director
GTB Music School
Trusted Tutors, Thoughtfully Matched.
https://www.guitarteacherbushey.co.uk/
07908 619708
