Cancellation policies are not the exciting part of guitar lessons, but a clear one saves both student and teacher a lot of awkwardness. Here is what fair looks like.
Why teachers have a policy
A private lesson is a reserved slot. When it is cancelled at the last minute, the teacher usually cannot offer it to anyone else. A policy simply sets expectations on both sides.
What a fair policy includes
- Written terms, shared up front. You should know the rules before you pay, not after you miss a lesson.
- A reasonable notice period. Many teachers ask for around 24 hours’ notice to reschedule without losing the lesson.
- Room for real emergencies. Illness and genuine emergencies happen, and a good teacher treats them sensibly.
- Fairness both ways. If the teacher cancels, you should be offered a new time or not be charged.
- Clarity on packages. If you pay monthly, you should know what happens to a missed lesson.
Questions to ask before you book
- How much notice do you need to reschedule?
- What happens if you cancel?
- For online lessons, what happens if the connection fails?
Changing or stopping online lessons if you are not happy
Say so early, and be specific: the pace, the material or the time slot. A good teacher would rather adjust than lose a student. If it still is not working, give the notice in your agreement and ask what happens to lessons you have already paid for. Before buying a package, check whether unused lessons are refunded, carried over or lost.
Do guitar lessons come with guarantees?
Money-back guarantees are rare with independent teachers, because lesson time cannot be resold once it has passed. Clear written terms are the protection to look for.
My own terms are set out in the cancellation policy and confirmed at the time of booking, so there are no surprises.
