Saving for Piano lessons, here are some considerations:

  • The average cost of piano lessons in Canada is around $46/h
  • The cost of lessons can differ according to cities
  • Factors that influence cost include: Tutors' qualifications, lesson frequencies and teaching modes
  • Tips for having affordable piano learning lessons

Many people in Canada are interested in learning to play the piano or keyboard. Playing the piano can be so much fun and personally rewarding. If you dream of learning how to play the piano, here's some helpful advice on finding out what the cost of a piano tutor is embark on a fulfilling piano learning experience.

The best Piano tutors available
Mermi
5
5 (35 reviews)
Mermi
$80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Stef
5
5 (138 reviews)
Stef
$65
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Kimia
5
5 (16 reviews)
Kimia
$70
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Lukas
5
5 (25 reviews)
Lukas
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Deborah
5
5 (19 reviews)
Deborah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Valeria
5
5 (15 reviews)
Valeria
$30
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mariam
4.9
4.9 (17 reviews)
Mariam
$30
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Rosie
5
5 (8 reviews)
Rosie
$85
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mermi
5
5 (35 reviews)
Mermi
$80
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Stef
5
5 (138 reviews)
Stef
$65
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Kimia
5
5 (16 reviews)
Kimia
$70
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Lukas
5
5 (25 reviews)
Lukas
$35
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Deborah
5
5 (19 reviews)
Deborah
$60
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Valeria
5
5 (15 reviews)
Valeria
$30
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Mariam
4.9
4.9 (17 reviews)
Mariam
$30
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Rosie
5
5 (8 reviews)
Rosie
$85
/h
Gift icon
1st lesson is free!
Let's go

💸 Average Cost of Piano Lessons in Canada

Whether you're playing on a grand piano, electric or digital piano, or an upright, pianos are much more accessible than they were in the past. There are many digital or electric pianos for all budgets, which allow the budding pianist to get started with beginner piano lessons.

In addition to buying the instrument itself, you will also need to consider the cost of learning how to play it.

Piano lessons will include music theory, which is essential to understanding the instrument.

A young boy plays an electronic keyboard while a woman points to sheet music, engaged in a music lesson in a bright room.
It's best to learn from a piano teacher regardless of your learning level. Photo by Yan Krukau

However, you can find piano tutors who use piano tablature (by the keys) to teach you, but it's more common and recommended to learn how to read sheet music. While some students choose to take lessons at a school or a conservatory of music, others prefer to learn music and take classes from the comfort of their own homes.

💎 What is the typical hourly rate for piano lessons?

The typical hourly rate for piano lessons in Canada varies for different reasons. But on average, you should expect to allocate this amount of money if you intend to take long-term lessons. This means there could be lessons above or below this given figure.

Average hourly rate for piano lessons: Superprof
CA $46

per hour


💎 How much do piano lessons cost for beginners vs advanced students?

Another important factor to take into account is your current learning level, and also your desired learning goals. If you are a parent to a young child who is an absolute beginner, you should know the maximum budget for private piano lessons for beginners, and also advanced lessons as your child progresses through different stages.

Beginner lessons: Superprof
CA $46

per hour

Advanced lessons: Superprof
CA $47

per hour

🏙️ Cost of Piano Lessons by City

You may see various rates depending on the town or city. Piano lessons tend to be more expensive in urban areas like Vancouver and Toronto than elsewhere in Canada. However, there are more tutors to choose from in the big cities like Vancouver and Calgary than in the more remote countryside.

📍Piano lesson cost in Vancouver

If you live in a big city like Vancouver, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy affordable lessons. Even if the rates for piano classes are relatively high, you can still find some piano instructors with average rates.

Marketplace average of private piano lessons
CA $80/hour

📍How much do piano lessons cost in Calgary?

Another fast-growing Canadian city, Calgary is known for its large population and strong job market —factors that can also influence the average cost of private piano lessons in the area.

Marketplace average of private piano lessons
CA $35–70/hour

📍Toronto, Montreal, and other cities: what to expect?

Piano lessons tend to be more expensive in Toronto than elsewhere in Canada. This, of course, may also vary according to exactly where, in Toronto or its suburban area, that you live. Refer to the comparison list below for the average hourly rate of Supeprof tutors offering piano lessons in the following cities:

Toronto: CA $46/h 
Montreal: CA$46/h
Oakville: CA$43/h
Brampton: CA$40/h
Mississauga: CA$42/h

🎹 Factors That Influence Piano Lesson Prices

Besides location, several other factors can significantly influence the cost of private piano lessons.

🎼 Instructor qualifications and experience

Most tutors have first and second degrees in music studies. Some even have piano studies as their speciality. Therefore, it's normal for them to charge high rates for their private tutoring.

The majority of piano tutors charge based on their knowledge of the piano. Therefore, a piano teacher with a postgraduate degree in music and decades of piano teaching experience under his or her belt may want to command higher prices for their services as compared to a tutor who has just graduated from music school.

Important note: Some music teachers specialize in different tutoring like classical, contemporary, jazz piano and conservatory audition preparation, making their lessons more exclusive and often more expensive.

🎼 Lesson duration and frequency

The type of lessons also impacts the cost, particularly in terms of their duration and how frequently you arrange your lessons.

So, how do you decide on these two factors? Well, it's best to look at what you want to achieve through the lessons, whether it's to go through the entire ABRSM examination until Grade 8 and study piano professionally in university, or are you just learning it as a hobby?

If exam grades are a big motivator, you probably should increase your lesson duration and also frequency to ensure consistent progress to reach your learning goals successfully.

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Intensity vs Frequency of lessons

A 45-minute piano lesson typically costs less than a 60-minute or 2-hour session. But fewer things will be covered throughout the session.
If you go by cost per hour, weekly lessons tend to be slightly more expensive than those held fortnightly in the long run, but some students prefer closely paced lessons for consistency.

🎼 Online vs in-person lessons

Online tutoring is certainly gaining popularity among students and tutors alike globally, including Canada. Depending on one's preferences, some students prefer to take their piano lessons through webcam or mobile software on their devices, as compared to having in-person lessons at their own home or their teacher's home.

Online piano lessons also give students the flexibility to record and review their lessons whenever they want to improve their skills after gaining feedback - they are also less likely to feel pressured throughout the tutoring.

In this case, in-person lessons are more costly than online piano lessons, as some tutors may charge an additional fee for their travel costs to your home, even if both of you are based in the same city.

🎼Group lessons vs private lessons

Both group and private piano lessons are offered by music institutions and independent piano teachers. Group lessons are more common among young learners and children to build a lively music learning atmosphere to cultivate an interest towards learning a new musical instrument.

A music teacher plays piano as a group of children listen attentively while holding stuffed animals in a bright classroom.
For young kids, their first encounter with the piano is usually through a group music or piano lesson with a music teacher. Photo by RDNE Stock project

On the other hand, private lessons are reserved for older children and adults who have better concentration and the need to have personalised one-to-one tutoring. This option is particularly convenient if you have kids, especially when you want to be fully immersed during the lesson with minimal distraction.

Important note: Private lessons are more expensive than group lessons because the lessons revolve around one student's learning pace and needs, with a specified time for your private piano tutor, too.

The piano is a remarkable instrument. What makes it so powerful is its ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from the most delicate to the most intense.

Yuja Wang

🎶 Ways to Save on Piano Lesson Costs

Private piano lessons may be expensive and out of budget, but there are some options to consider to find more affordable prices.

🧒 Group lessons

  • Tutors teach multiple students at once, usually at their own home or music studio
  • Ideal for students who thrive on the motivation of group learning and want to share the experience with friends or family
  • Cost per hour is lower, benefiting both students and tutors alike

💻 Online private tutoring

  • Tutors offer their lessons through webcam without any geographical restrictions
  • Eliminates the need for travelling, and saves on transportation costs for both students and tutors
  • Still retains the advantages of personalized instruction of private tutoring

If you are serious about learning the piano, you want the best deal and desire the best quality lessons for yourself or your child. It's possible to get the best piano lessons for less on Superprof.

The majority of piano instructors on Superprof offer reasonably priced piano lessons, starting from $15 per hour. You have the opportunity to browse and compare the tutors' profiles and find the one that aligns with you and your specific learning needs.

Trust us, your hands will be in good hands!

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Joycelyn Ong

An avid reader and writer, Joycelyn loves the art of communication and is passionate about all kinds of media.