Student no-shows

[Kmaz]

I just had a student not show up for his guitar lesson. Would have just been his second session with me. A phone call would have been nice.

I'm pretty new to the game and am wondering how others handle similar situations? He is an adult, btw.

[derekd]

Pay up front for the month. I hand them a piece of paper that details expectations, which includes if they no-show, they are out the $. If they call to cancel, I will do my best to accomodate a make up with in my schedule. If I cancel, refund/credit.

If it was a dire emergency, death, fire, famine, then I will be fine. Otherwise, irresponsible imo.

[buddastrat]

I charge without 24 hour notice. Unless it's something extreme. But if you didn't tell him this before, you might want to give a freebie, this time.

[Zero G]

Give him a call and be straight up with him. Tell him that if he misses any more lessons without appropriate notice, that you can no longer provide your service to him. That, or tell him to pay in advance. Also, let him know that when students don't show up, you lose money and you can't afford to have this happen. Don't get upset with him. Just act professional and let him know what the deal is up front.

[dantedayjob]

I pretty much agree with the other posters. I tell people up front; you pay for the month, if you need to cancel let me know at the earliest possible time. I tell them they aren't as much paying for the lesson as they are paying for my time. No show/no call/no reason=I still get paid. If they give me sufficient fore-warning OR a major life-issue (i.e. death, illness, car accident) occurs, we'll make the lesson up later.

[theRocco]

If it was his second lesson with you that he "missed", I bet he's not planning on calling or coming back at all.

I think many people have good intentions when they start a lesson plan but when they realize the work and seriousness of it they flake out. Many people are shy and/or afraid to look stupid, especially adults. Some will always be that way, but perhaps a way to lessen this is have your first lesson really nail down the whole goal plan of the student and show them how working with you can realize those goals.

I not presuming you, the OP, didn't do any of this or you are lacking in any degree as a teacher, just throwing this out as a general statement to all teachers about the importance of listening to your students and sometimes interpreting what you hear with all your wisdom and experience and helping them understand their own goals in a realistic but exciting way.

[Kmaz]

Thanks for your opinions. I have been collecting my pay at the end of each lesson thus far.

Rocco, I agree with you that I'll likely not hear from him again. My impression at our first (and only) lesson was that he was not really interested in putting in the time/effort to be successful.

We all know that learning the instrument takes time and hard work.

[dantedayjob]

Thanks for your opinions. I have been collecting my pay at the end of each lesson thus far.

I seriously recommend that you take the payments for the month in advance. You really get a more serious attitude from your students and far fewer cancellations. I have been doing it that way since about '93 or so and it really has made a difference.

[?&!]

Get paid a month in advance, for sure. People are a lot more likely to show up when they have already forked over the cash.

[theRocco]

The first few lessons are the toughest, but I bet a lot of the "quitters" would stick around if they paid in advance, once they got through the first few lessons and saw how it really does work.

[mcdonaldkd]

My instructor always gets paid a month in advance. If I have to miss a lesson because I am travelling on business, etc. we try to reschedule but no promises are made that we will be able to reschedule.

[james russell]

Music stores charge by the month in advance because it works. Folks are a lot more responsible about communicating when they have paid for the time.

If you are starting out, may I recommend that you print up copies of your "Guitar Lessons Policy" practices that you give to every student when they start taking lessons. Go over your policies at the first lesson with each student and parent, and it will solve most of the issues. Sometimes they get creative in stiffing you, like not calling or showing up on the first week or two of the month and then expecting to not have to pay for the first week's lessons. I have a waiting list, and I dump the flakes pretty fast. Respect yourself. Tell them what you expect, and then hold them to it. After all, you are showing up for them at the agreed upon time. Your time should be respected by them.

[Jahn]

i agree - in advance.

[Jazz2Punk]

Whenever I cancel a lesson without being able to give 24 hour notice I always expect to pay.

[Swain]

I always collect before the 1st. of the month. That way, you don't sit there on the first week of the month, waiting for students to show up only to find they've quit, and you could have filled the "empty" time slot with a new student.
Late Payments, if accepted, include a late fee $5.00 more than a lesson would cost. So, they pay as much as a 5th. Lesson plus $5.00 would've cost. Helps to keep students from saying "I'll bring it next week", etc. I tell them, "Okay, but you'll need to add another ....... to the amount."
If they are late more than 2 or 3 times and I keep them as students, I tell them that they must now pay for 3 Months at a time. In advance. I'm not going to be a Bill Collector.
If I haven't received Tuition before the 1st. of the month, I will call someone who is waiting for that time slot, and offer it to them.
If someone drops out and didn't give me any notice, (if I take decide to re-start with them) I put them on the 3 Months at a time payment plan.


Also, monthly tuition does help to motivate students. And if they can't get a month's worth of $$$ together, I tell them to wait a month, save the $$$, and call me when they do have it. It's not that expensive. So, if they can't find the scratch for a month at a time, they probably aren't serious enough to actually work with.

As far as "Make-Ups"? That's an impossible concept. You can't get that time back, once it's past. Students pay (in advance! :) ) to reserve a specific time slot.
So, it's a simple equation: They miss, they pay. I miss, I pay.

Of course, death in the family, tornado, etc. are exceptions. But, I can't afford to pay for everybody else's vacations, soccer games, sicknesses, etc.

This brings up another point. If they are sick, I will not allow them to come to my Studio. Stay home. I don't need to catch whatever they have, just to miss work, lose $$$, and infect all of my other students.

Write up a "POLICIES" Sheet, and make sure you hand one to every new student. Also, post it on your Studio door. That way, they can't say they didn't know the score. The POLICIES SHEET is staring them in the face, during every session.

This probably all sounds pretty hard core, but it's just how I protect myself. And it's never a problem with anyone, just business.

I also hand them another sheet that talks about setting up a practice space, setting a practice schedule, getting their guitar, etc. out and tuned up before each session, bringing CDs, Mp3 Players, Music Books, etc. Those types of things. Basically, how to be prepared for each lesson. I find people really appreciate these ideas for "Making The Most Of Your Lesson Time".

Hope this helps!

[Ken Ho]

DNA's are the plague of all businesses that book appts.
People are typically backward in coming forward if they are not going to attend. They just don't show.
Payment in advance or cancellation fees are effective if you have a waiting list, hopeless if you do not.
In this case, he may be a quitter, or you may have failed his audition. Both scenarios deserve honest communication, but don't often get it.

[Kmaz]

He told me he didn't want to learn chords. :)

I told him, "you've got to learn chords, it's a huge part of playing."

I'm disappointed to lose a client this way but am certainly not surprised.

[KRosser]

Whenever I teach outside of GIT, if it's someone new I don't know I'll often be the one that drives to them. This way, I know I'm showing up on time, and I get up and leave when the hour's up. I have more control over the situation that way.

That said, I haven't had a no-show or reason to even fear one in a long time since I don't advertise and only take the students that make the effort to contact me and ask. These days they tend to be more driven and responsible than the kids I used to take back in the day.

At GIT, someone doesn't show up, I still get paid. That's one of the nice things about working for a school.

[Ken Ho]

He told me he didn't want to learn chords. :)

I told him, "you've got to learn chords, it's a huge part of playing."

I'm disappointed to lose a client this way but am certainly not surprised.


I didn't say you were a bad teacher, or did anything wrong or not right, but you clearly failed his audition. You can argue that his expectations were crap, and even be right, but they are his to have.
I bet the second lesson is the one most often missed or cancelled for all teachers. I know I've had one lesson with a bunch of people over the years, because they were not right for me.
The kids I've taught were pretty resistant to chords too, but I never confronted them about it, just worked them towards them gradually.
I don't know how old this recent student was, but teenagers generally don't like to have stuff shoved down their throat, esp in a hobby context. they get enough of that at school, and hate it there too.
I read a bit of wisdom once saying that if a certain historical person had been a goat-herd instead of a sheperd, teh (note, typing dyslexia) world would be a different place.
Sheep need to be driven but goats are more intelligent and need to be led. So do young humans.

[Kmaz]

He's 38 years old.

[stevel]

Thanks for your opinions. I have been collecting my pay at the end of each lesson thus far.

Rocco, I agree with you that I'll likely not hear from him again. My impression at our first (and only) lesson was that he was not really interested in putting in the time/effort to be successful.

We all know that learning the instrument takes time and hard work.

Agree with all others:

You pay for a month, up front, before lesson 1. Common practice.

What I used to do is, if a month had 5 of one day in it, students with lessons on that day would get their 5th lesson free if they came to the other 4 - incentive for them to be there!

(once I had built up a consistent clientele, I stopped this practice - though I grandfathered it - same with rates - I grandfather the rates when I went up for new students - there was enough turnover to make it worth it and keep the good students happy and coming back, and weed out the posers)

I always did my best to do a make-up (or would do an hour for a half-hour student if I had time before or after at their next lesson) when a student called and canceled.

No-shows got no mercy though. Two no-shows, and I erased the student's name off the slot and gave it to someone else.

HTH,
Steve

[stevel]

He told me he didn't want to learn chords. :)

I told him, "you've got to learn chords, it's a huge part of playing."

I'm disappointed to lose a client this way but am certainly not surprised.

You will get all kinds.

There were some times were I "bent" my policies because the income was a necessity, but in general, cases like that are going to quit on their own no matter what you do.

Don't cater to the bad ones just to keep them if you don't have to. There are "bad" clients who will ultimately hurt your business.

And take heart in the ones that do do well - one success story is worth losing many students who weren't going to put much into it anyway IME.

Best,
Steve

[Kmaz]

Stevel, thanks very much for the advice.

[Swain]

Sounds like another one of those "Magic Bullet" students.

Expects you to tell them one of the "closely guarded secrets of the
Pros!"

You know, that one tip that will allow them to "Play like a Pro", without any practice.

I mean really, if he didn't know the secret handshake, or any of the incantations, I hope you didn't tell him our closely guarded methods anf techniques. You're either in the Illuminati, or you're not!

*This post will self-destruct in 15 seconds............

[Kmaz]

He was here for an hour and I was smart enough not to give up the secret handshake. :)

I have empathy for these guys that want to learn quickly as we players realize in most cases this is not a quick process.

IMO, I didn't fail his audition as much as he may have failed his own.

[sanhozay]

First lesson free. Basically a thirty minute consultation for both to actually see if the partnership is worth a go. Then a monthly fee up front with a written expectation of commitment and cancellation etiquette.

[Swain]

Yeah, the first lesson free idea is a great one. I often do that. In fact, tell the Music Store Salesmen that they can offer a FREE LESSON (from you, of course!) with any purchase. They will give potential Students your name as a referral. Also, it allows them to have a nice "value added" aspect to help them sale their merchandise.
Win-win-win situation. They can offer "something extra" to a customer, without discounting any more of their sale price. The customer gets the contact info of a good Instructor (You.), and you get a chance to gain a new Student.

[KRosser]

Sounds like another one of those "Magic Bullet" students.


I once had a student that, when I asked him on the first lesson what he was interested in learning, said he wanted to be a "complete musician".

So, I asked him to play me a C major scale. He didn't know it. So I said great, let's start there.

I got an almost violent negative reaction from him - how dare I insult his potential greatness with something as pedestrian as a C major scale.

So, I packed up and told him to save his money.

[Ken Ho]

He was here for an hour and I was smart enough not to give up the secret handshake. :)

I have empathy for these guys that want to learn quickly as we players realize in most cases this is not a quick process.

IMO, I didn't fail his audition as much as he may have failed his own.

Yeah well, unrealistic expectations don't help. But also, sometimes people have a specific mission in life, and he defined his parameters to an extent by saying "no chords". It was actually an opportunity for you to teach him what he wanted to learn. So, maybe he would not emerge a complete musician, but not everybody wants that.
It's an open topic that produces some very polarised views, unnecessarily.
MAybe it was a test to see how responsive you are a teacher, or maybe he just wants to proceed straight to lead guitarist with no stops along the way.
Either way, exploring the issue may have clarified things so you were not left there wondering the next week, and rightfully annoyed about your wasted timeslot.
.More helpfully to you, I call and confirm all of my patients the day before their appt. Texting is another strategy, but that won't help if the person does not intend to come, only works for forgettees.

[arthur rotfeld]

........

[Kmaz]

I showed him a couple of simple country licks and tabbed out a few more to mess with at home. This, along with a few standard chords as well. He seemed surprised by how musical just strumming a chord or two could sound.

I felt like I was making a strong effort to give what he wanted, but maybe not. You can't always know what someone is thinking.

[robelinda2]

I always find guys over 20 coming for lessons are probably the hardest to teach, so many of them dont last, they all want you to wave a magic wand and make them great in one or two lessons. Some of them really crack me up, they know they need to work on things and improve so they book a lesson, and get testy when you go over simpler stuff that they dont know! I think they have stardom in their eyes and want the quickest way to become a musician. Sounds like you did the right thing.

[Swain]

Luckily, you can get all kinds of stickers and cool add-ons, to make your Guitar Hero Controller "custom"!

:)

Wonder if there'll be a "Relic'd" version, soon?

[eBay]

I just had a student not show up for his guitar lesson. Would have just been his second session with me. A phone call would have been nice.

I'm pretty new to the game and am wondering how others handle similar situations? He is an adult, btw.

I think there should be a nominal charge for a no show like $5-10... just enough to make a point but not so much that they get indignant. I often would pay the full amount to my voice coach when I got held up at work.

[Ken Ho]

I showed him a couple of simple country licks and tabbed out a few more to mess with at home. This, along with a few standard chords as well. He seemed surprised by how musical just strumming a chord or two could sound.

I felt like I was making a strong effort to give what he wanted, but maybe not. You can't always know what someone is thinking.

Yeah, I'm just reflecting on this, because I am also in the busines of meeting people's expectations, while having a clear agenda of what is "right" or indicated.
I have a saying, that you can never change anyone's mind about anything, except by agreeing with them.
What this means, is that when you disagree with somebody, you are effectively attacking their belief system. This provokes defensive behaviour, and they raise the drawbridge and lower the portcullis.
Agreeing with somebody has the opposite effect. It encourages them to re-examine their own belief system to see if is really sound, or if it can be improved. The drawbridge comes down, the portcullis goes up and the foulburg is open for business.
It's a frustrating process when you are trying to help people who have come to you for information, but it's what happens all the same.

[Samsun19]

The month in advance, if there sick, or busy they still pay.

He told me he didn't want to learn chords. :)

I told him, "you've got to learn chords, it's a huge part of playing."

I'm disappointed to lose a client this way but am certainly not surprised.

On the first lesson I have the student write down the goals they want to accomplish, then I evaluate where they Really are. At that point I make it clear that I'm going to be guiding them toward there goals, in a logical, practical and creative manner, making it possible for them to accomplish there goals much, much faster, and making that journey much more fun....

When a student wants to work on things there not ready for yet, I explain our relationship is based on my expertise to guide them, and it's my job to prepare them for the next level.......

If they insist they don't want to do the ground work, and cover the fundamentals.....

Then I make it clear that they don't know what there doing, if the did, they wouldn't need to be paying me or anyone else for guidance.

In other words, they don't know how to get there from here, that's why they wanted instruction. And that's what a teacher does, shine a light on the path.

It works out, because I then deliver a killer lesson, that's always educational, creative and fun.... and they go home feeling satisfied with the experience, and excited to get started on there journey.


Best wishes for your Journey,

Sam

[Ken Ho]

Then I make it clear that they don't know what there doing, if the did, they wouldn't need to be paying me or anyone else for guidance.


Sam

Lots of interesting stuff in your post, but this is heavy.

[Samsun19]

Lots of interesting stuff in your post, but this is heavy.

I can see your point. I had to many ideas flashing through my brain LOL, and I can see how I did a poor job of articulating all of them.

In context, on a occasion, you'll have a student that thinks they can win a marathon, before they have learned how to walk.... Beginners who want to learn Hendrix NOW, and they can't play anything yet. So, I have to say... I'm very excited at the prospect of you working up to that level of playing, but first, let's learn a few open chords ;-)

As a full time music teacher for many, many years, I can tell you that example actually occurs.

But, for the most part, most of the student's I've had are terrific people, and I've been fortunate to have more than my fair share of pro musicians as students. It's been a great life..... And I consider myself very lucky and grateful.

[eBay]

Some people are not teachable. Better to move on to someone receptive to what you have to offer.

[stevel]

Yeah, the first lesson free idea is a great one. I often do that. In fact, tell the Music Store Salesmen that they can offer a FREE LESSON (from you, of course!) with any purchase. They will give potential Students your name as a referral. Also, it allows them to have a nice "value added" aspect to help them sale their merchandise.
Win-win-win situation. They can offer "something extra" to a customer, without discounting any more of their sale price. The customer gets the contact info of a good Instructor (You.), and you get a chance to gain a new Student.


Yes - when I worked in the music store we did this too and it worked out great for everyone. Sure, some students took their one free lesson and you never saw them again, but others (the good ones) would stay.

Steve

[Clifford-D]

Thanks for your opinions. I have been collecting my pay at the end of each lesson thus far.

Rocco, I agree with you that I'll likely not hear from him again. My impression at our first (and only) lesson was that he was not really interested in putting in the time/effort to be successful.

We all know that learning the instrument takes time and hard work.
Yes, pay in advance, I have them pay at the beginning of each month and all students work that way. I if they will only be there two times that month that's all I charge for. There are times payments accrue but then I subtract from the following month to get back on track.