HOW TO HIRE · LESSONS & TUTORING

How to hire a music theory teacher in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No register lists music theory teachers. Here is the vetting to ask for, how to check exam knowledge, and the terms to agree.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a music theory teacher in five steps

  1. Name the exam or goalA grade theory exam, GCSE or A level music, Higher music in Scotland, or reading music as an adult. A music theory teacher plans from that.
  2. See the check before the first music theory lessonEnhanced DBS, PVG or AccessNI depending on where you live. A parent cannot apply for it; a music theory teacher can show it in a minute.
  3. Ask what they have taught, and to whomAges, levels and how many pupils now. A music theory teacher who plays well is not always one who teaches well.
  4. Book a single lesson firstJudge a music theory teacher on one music theory lesson before paying for a block of lessons.
  5. Agree the terms in writingThe number of lessons before the exam, the notice to stop, and workbooks on top — in writing before the first payment. A message on Locufy counts.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

There is no register of music theory teachers anywhere in the UK, and there is no protected title, so anyone may teach music theory online or at the teacher's piano. Exam boards award grades and diplomas, but there is no register of teachers to check them against.

Ask the music theory teacher what they hold, where they trained, and for two people they teach now.

Criminal record check for under-18s

For a music theory teacher teaching your child in a short weekly block before a theory exam, the England and Wales rule is simple: more than three days of teaching in any 30, or one overnight, makes it regulated activity, and the right check is an enhanced DBS with the children's barred list. From 1 September 2026, supervision no longer removes a role from regulated activity, so a music theory teacher working under another teacher still counts. Living in Scotland, ask for PVG scheme membership: mygov.scot includes tutors and instructors a parent engages for their child. In Northern Ireland, ask for an enhanced AccessNI check, which a music theory teacher working alone obtains via an Umbrella Body.

Before the first music theory lesson, see the certificate itself (a parent cannot apply for one on a self-employed music theory teacher's behalf) and check the date; in Scotland, PVG proof; in Northern Ireland, the AccessNI certificate shared online. gov.uk →

Grades, diplomas and teaching experience

Graded music exams and teaching diplomas are awarded by exam boards, not by a licensing body, and no register lists music theory teachers. A music degree, high theory grades or teaching GCSE or A level music are the evidence to ask about.

Ask the music theory teacher which grades or diplomas they hold and when, and how many pupils they have entered for exams in the last year.

Your rights when paying for a block of lessons

Reasonable care and skill is the legal standard for music theory lessons from a trader (Consumer Rights Act 2015). For a leisure booking with a fixed date or period, regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 usually removes the 14-day cancellation right, so agree with a music theory teacher in writing what happens if you have to drop out. Most arguments with music theory teachers are about a block that ended before the exam's timed papers.

Before paying for a block of lessons, ask a music theory teacher to set out the number of lessons before the exam, the notice to stop, and workbooks on top in a message. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Music theory lessons are exempt only when a sole trader or partner teaches them personally, music being ordinarily taught in schools; a music school company or its employed teachers are standard-rated. Above the £90,000 registration threshold that business has to charge VAT and show it separately, next to its VAT number.

Ask whether the music theory teacher bills you personally or a music school company does, and for the VAT number if VAT is added. gov.uk →

“Is your criminal record check the enhanced one, with the children's barred list?”

A good answer: Yes, and dated. For music theory lessons with a child that is the level to see — PVG membership in Scotland, AccessNI in Northern Ireland.

“Have you prepared pupils for this theory exam recently?”

A good answer: The named exam and grade, and recent pupils.

“How do you teach harmony?”

A good answer: Step by step from chords to four-part writing, with exercises marked between lessons.

“Can you support GCSE or A level music listening and composition?”

A good answer: Listening practice and theory for composing, with the composition remaining the student's.

“Can you teach an adult to read music?”

A good answer: Yes, starting from the instrument the adult plays.

“What is your notice period, both ways?”

A good answer: Clear written rules: what notice you give, and that a music theory lesson a music theory teacher cancels is rearranged or refunded.

Getting the quote right

  • Who actually attends to teach — the music theory teacher named, or another from the school, employed or subcontracted
  • What a music theory lesson costs and how many minutes it runs
  • Books, kit or materials: included, or extra and how much
  • How a block of lessons works, and the refund if it is cut short
  • Travel, room or venue charges, if any
  • The VAT number if the music school charges VAT, and VAT on the block shown separately

Walk away if

  • They brush off the DBS, PVG or AccessNI question for music theory lessons with your child
  • Pressure to buy an instrument or equipment through the music theory teacher before the first lesson
  • They offer to write a student's composition coursework
  • A large upfront payment beyond a block of lessons, with nothing in writing
LOW
£20
TYPICAL
£36
HIGH
£50

What a music theory teacher costs: £20–£50 per hour

Music theory teachers charge per lesson, often for a short block before an exam. Music Theory price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Music theory teachers near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.

  1. Check the levelA short test of reading, intervals and rhythm.
  2. PlanTopics in exam order, or in the order an adult needs them.
  3. Each lessonA concept explained at the instrument or keyboard, then exercises.
  4. HomeworkShort written exercises, marked next time.
  5. Exam practiceTimed papers before the exam.

Interval
The distance between two notes.
Cadence
A chord pattern that ends a phrase.
Four-part harmony
Writing chords for soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices.
Grade 5 theory
A theory grade often needed before higher practical grades.
Aural
Listening skills tested in exams.
Transposition
Rewriting music at a different pitch.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the recordsHold on to the marked exercises and the invoices; together with the agreed terms they settle most disagreements.
Test the progressAt half term, sit a timed section of a past theory paper and compare it with the first.
The guarantee, honestlyNo music theory teacher can promise a pass at Grade 5 theory. What you are owed is the music theory lessons agreed, prepared and on time.
Leave the reviewOnly booked music theory lessons can be reviewed on Locufy; if something went wrong, the make-it-right step sends it to the music theory teacher first.

STEP 1Tell the music theory teacher, in writingSet out the problem (a block that ended before the exam's timed papers is a common one) and ask for a fix or a refund by a date. Where music theory lessons paid as a block of lessons were not taught with reasonable care and skill, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 entitles you to a repeat or a fair reduction.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyLeave under four stars and you are asked whether to send it to the music theory teacher first; we follow it through, then the review is published.
STEP 3Get help from Trading StandardsNo regulator covers music theory teachers, so a consumer complaint goes to Trading Standards through your nation's helpline: Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Money still in disputeSmall claims handle a dispute with a music theory teacher without a solicitor: up to £10,000 in England and Wales (small claims track), £5,000 in Scotland (simple procedure) and £5,000 in Northern Ireland. Keep the marked exercises and the invoices as evidence.

Hiring a music theory teacher: questions people ask

Not by default. Regular teaching of a child is regulated activity in England and Wales, though, so the enhanced DBS check with the barred list is the one to see; Scotland uses PVG membership and Northern Ireland an enhanced AccessNI check.

No UK nation licenses this work or keeps a register of it. A music degree or experience teaching theory grades or school music is what to ask about.

£20–£50 an hour, with £36 typical; A level harmony with an experienced teacher costs most. There is more detail in the music theory price guide, and the search above lists music theory teachers in your area.

Not from a music theory teacher working as a sole trader or partner: music is a school subject, so that tuition is exempt. A music school company or its employed teachers are standard-rated and add VAT once over £90,000.

Some exam boards require it before higher practical grades; check with yours.

Very well — it is written work, easy to share on screen.

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Music theory teachers near you

Music theory teachers in LondonMusic theory teachers in ManchesterMusic theory teachers in BirminghamMusic theory teachers in GlasgowMusic theory teachers in BelfastAll music theory teachers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk (DBS) — regulated activity with children
  2. gov.uk — change to the definition of regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026
  3. mygov.scot — who needs PVG scheme membership (personal employers)
  4. nidirect — AccessNI checks for the self-employed and personal employees
  5. gov.uk — Education and vocational training (VAT Notice 701/30)
  6. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts excluded from cancellation
  7. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  8. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 30 — cancellation period
  9. Citizens Advice — deciding whether to make a small claim (England and Wales)
  10. Scottish Courts and Tribunals — guide to simple procedure
  11. nidirect — small claims process (Northern Ireland)
  12. Education and vocational training (VAT Notice 701/30) — 6.1 The treatment of private tuition
  13. GOV.UK — VAT rates
  14. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register