Authors: Ms. Sushmitha Vincent Chemmannoor, Professor, Gabriel Rodrigues
Abstract: With music education gaining importance in urban India, the demand for private guitar lessons has seen a surge in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities and an informal music teaching economy has emerged. However, there hasn’t been much research on how this sector works – pricing, demand and income sustainability. This study aims to fill that gap by comparing the economics of private guitar tutoring in these cities. It looks at how tutors organize their services – hourly rates or monthly packages, online or in-person. It also examines the average fees they charge and the income patterns. Additionally, it explores what makes consumers willing to pay – tutors’ qualifications, mode of lesson delivery, learners’ backgrounds and free online options. The findings show big differences: Tier 1 tutors charge higher fees and have a wider digital reach; Tier 2 tutors charge lower fees but have lower overheads and face challenges in scaling up. The study concludes with policy and entrepreneurial suggestions – local certification, subsidized infrastructure and digital support to formalize and upgrade the private music education landscape in urban India
