As the world becomes increasingly digital, online music lessons are becoming more popular. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits for music who online music lessons. We’ll share tips on how to teach remote music lessons and answer the question, “Can music teachers make money by teaching music online?” If teaching virtual music lessons is something you’ve considered doing, read on!

What are the benefits of teaching music online?

Teaching music online has a range of benefits for both music teachers and students. Online music lessons provide more flexibility and the ability to reach a wider audience than traditional in-person lessons. Many potential students cannot find a suitable music teacher locally and therefore turn to music teachers online. Music teachers can connect with students worldwide by offering web-based lessons, expanding their market significantly. Overall, teaching music online provides an excellent opportunity for both teachers and students to broaden their reach and achieve their goals. Below are just some of the benefits you’ll discover as you begin providing online music lessons.

Reach a Wider Audience

One of the biggest advantages of teaching music online is the ability to reach a wider audience. With online lessons, you’re not limited to students in your local area – you can teach students from all over the world. This means you can expand your student base and connect with people who may not have had access to music lessons otherwise.

Continue Teacher Students who Move

According to the U.S. Census, children between the ages of 6 and 17 have a 14.5% chance of moving. If you only teach in-person, you will likely lose those students when they move. However, if you teach music online, you can transition students who move from traditional face-to-face music lessons to online music lessons.

Enjoy More Flexibility

Another advantage of teaching music online is the flexibility that it offers. You can set your schedule and work from the comfort of your home. This means you can fit your teaching around other commitments, whether that’s another job or family responsibilities. You can teach while you travel. Even if you can’t bring an instrument with you on a trip, you can still conduct a music lesson remotely because you can teach theory or listen to the student play and offer suggestions. Additionally, online music lessons eliminate the need for a physical space to hold lessons, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Fill in Hard-to-Fill Time Slots

If you solely concentrate on finding local students, you may discover that most of them prefer lessons during the late afternoon and early evening, leaving you with unoccupied time slots before kids get out of school and during the later evening hours. However, teaching online allows you to fill those gaps by catering to students in different time zones. You can market your services to cities located two or three time zones away from your own, where students get out of school just before or after your local students finish their music lessons.

Lower Overhead Costs

Teaching music online can significantly lower overhead costs when compared to traditional in-person music lessons. Online music lessons eliminate the need for physical classroom or studio space, which can lead to significant expenses for music teachers. Rent, construction, utility bills, equipment, and permits can be expensive for music teachers who own music class studios. If you provide music lessons in a student’s home, you are likely spending a lot on gas and mileage. Teaching music lessons online eliminates those expenses.

Recorded Music Lessons

How do I teach music online?

Getting started with online music lessons can seem daunting. Below, we’ll cover some of the key steps you can take to get started with teaching music online.

Choose your platform

The first step in teaching music online is choosing the right platform. There are a range of options available, from video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype to dedicated music teaching platforms like Lessonface and TakeLessons. When choosing a platform, consider the following factors:

• Audio and video quality: You’ll need online meeting software that can deliver high-quality audio and video for music lessons. Zoom is one of the most common online meeting applications that music teachers use for remote music lessons.
• Interactive features: Use MusicTeacherNotes or a similar type of music teacher management software solution to share music files, saved videos, notes, and other resources. MusicTeacherNotes has many features to help music teachers with online music lessons and in-person music lessons.
• Payment and scheduling options: Consider how students will pay you. Using PayPal, Stripe, or Venmo are just a few options that music teachers use to collect payments from online music lessons.

Plan your lessons

Once you’ve chosen a platform, it’s time to start planning your lessons. When teaching music online, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Be prepared: Make sure you have all the materials and resources you need for each lesson. MusicTeacherNotes lets you quickly see what you worked on during previous lessons so you always know what to focus on for the current lesson.
• Keep lessons engaging: Find ways to keep your lessons interactive and engaging, even in the absence of in-person interaction. 
• Use multimedia: Incorporate video and audio recordings, as well as interactive online tools, to enhance your lessons. If you use MusicTeacherNotes, you can save all of your online music teacher resources in your library and share them with students during the lesson.

Adapt your teaching style

Teaching music online requires some adjustments to your teaching style. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Communicate clearly: Make sure you’re speaking clearly and at an appropriate volume, and encourage your students to do the same.
• Use visual aids: Use visual aids like music notation software and screen sharing to help your students follow along.
• Provide feedback: Offer constructive feedback to your students and encourage them to ask questions.

Market yourself

Finally, it’s important to market yourself effectively when teaching music online. In another article, we go deep into music teacher marketing tips, but here are some tips to get started:

• Build a professional website: Create a professional website that showcases your experience and expertise. 
• Use social media: Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with potential students and share your teaching philosophy.
• Offer a trial lesson: Offer a free trial lesson to new students to give them a taste of what you have to offer.
• Find markets in other timezones to consider targeting: You can market to neighborhoods in timezones other than where you live. Use Facebook, Google, EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail), or Groupon to target those neighborhoods.

Teaching music online can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for both teachers and students. By following these steps, you can get started with online teaching and reach a wider audience than ever before.

Can you make a living teaching music online?

Music teachers who are considering teaching online may wonder if it is possible to make a living from this type of work. The answer is yes, but it will require some effort and strategic planning. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and strategies for making a living as an online music teacher.

Teach Locally and Online

One of the best ways to make a living as an online music teacher is to combine your online lessons with teaching locally. This approach can help you to maximize your earning potential and build a strong reputation in your local community. By teaching locally and online, you can ensure that you have a steady stream of students and a diverse range of income sources. 

Schedule Your Lessons Strategically

When teaching music online, you can be more flexible with your schedule than you might be with traditional teaching. For example, you can use online lessons to fill in the gaps between your local students. Ideally, use the few hours after school ends for local students. If you want to provide online music lessons a couple of hours earlier than your local area, look one to two time zones to the East of your location. If you want to fill the time slots just after your local lessons, look one to two time zones to the West of your location. Perhaps consider networking with music teachers in those time zones. 

Keep Your Expenses Relatively Low

When starting as an online music teacher, keeping your expenses relatively low is important. You’ll need to invest in equipment like a good-quality microphone, a webcam, and headphones, but beyond that, you can keep costs low. By minimizing your expenses, you can ensure that you are making a profit from your lessons.

Effective Ways to Market Your Online Music Lessons

Marketing is crucial to making a living as an online music teacher. Here are some effective ways to market your music lessons:

• Create a website: A professional website can help to establish your credibility and showcase your experience and expertise.
• Use social media: Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for promoting your music lessons and connecting with potential students.
• Offer a free trial lesson: Offering a free trial lesson can help to attract new students and give them a taste of what you have to offer.
• Network with other teachers: Find teachers at music schools in the time zones you want to target and let them know you have availability when they are likely full, and vice versa.
• Consider using Groupon in areas you want to target: You could pick cities where you want to provide music lessons and create a Groupon deal to attract new students.
• Consider Google Ads: You can geotarget an area with Google ads. Google ads can be a great advertising method if you do it right, but it can waste a lot of money if you do it wrong. We wrote an article that thoroughly explains how to advertise with Google Ads for music teachers.

Do online music lessons work?

As we mentioned, there are many benefits to teaching online music lessons. There are negatives, too. Many music teachers dislike online music lessons for a variety of reasons.

The Cons of Online Music Lessons

1. Technology issues: Technical issues such as poor internet connectivity or hardware problems can interfere with the quality of the lesson.
2. Lack of personal interaction: Online music lessons can lack the personal interaction and feedback that comes with in-person lessons. This can make it difficult for the instructor to gauge the student’s progress and offer personalized feedback.
3. Equipment limitations: Some instruments require specialized equipment or a certain skill level to play properly. Online music lessons may not provide access to this equipment or the necessary level of guidance to use it effectively.
4. Distractions: Getting distracted during an online music lesson can be easy, especially if the student is not in a quiet environment.

The Verdict:

When considering whether online music lessons work, it’s important to recognize that the answer will vary depending on the individual student’s needs and circumstances. However, online lessons can be effective for students who are dedicated and have access to an organized and dedicated music teacher.

Whether lessons are conducted online or in person, what matters most is the teacher’s ability to motivate students and teach them new skills. MusicTeacherNotes can help with this through its built-in motivational tools.

For music teachers, online lessons offer benefits such as an increased student base, greater flexibility, and reduced costs, but it’s important for individuals to weigh the pros and cons and determine if it’s the best option for their specific needs.

Teaching music lessons online has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption. During the lockdowns, the video conferencing platform, Zoom, became widely known and is now one of the most popular online music lesson tools. Online music lesson offer flexibility and convenience that traditional in-person lessons cannot match, but this article does not aim to debate online music lessons versus in-person music lessons. What’s best for one person may not be best for another. However, if you are a music teacher who does not offer online music lessons, you’re likely missing out on potential students. If you do teach online music lessons or plan to in the future, it is essential to get familiar with Zoom.

Is it still important to have online music lessons after the COVID pandemic?

Many music teachers were forced to teach online during the pandemic due to restrictions. Although most music teachers tend to prefer in-person teaching, online music lessons still have a significant place in the music education industry and are likely to continue growing in popularity. Consider a hypothetical scenario of a typical parent with two children taking piano lessons.

With in-person lessons, the parent spends around 30 minutes just driving to and from the teacher’s studio, plus additional time for waiting and switching between their children. This results in the parent spending about 1 hour and 40 minutes for both children to receive just 30 minutes of piano instruction.

On the other hand, with online piano lessons, the parent can help one child with homework while the other has a lesson and then switch. Each child gets 30 minutes of piano instruction, and the parent doesn’t have to spend any extra time driving or waiting.

Even if music teachers prefer in-person lessons, it’s important to recognize that many busy parents prefer online lessons for their convenience. To adapt, music teachers should incorporate online lessons into their schedules, even if they prefer traditional face-to-face music lessons. With repetition, teachers will get more comfortable with online teaching and attract more music students by teaching music online.

Why choose Zoom for teaching online music lessons?

Zoom isn’t the only online meeting application used for music lessons, but it might be the best. Here are ten reasons Zoom may be the best choice for teaching remote music lessons.

• Convenience: Zoom makes it easier for private music teachers to conduct lessons from the comfort of their own homes, saving them the time and effort of traveling to their student’s location. It also allows for more flexibility in scheduling lessons, which can be particularly helpful for students with busy schedules.
• Increased Reach: With Zoom, private music teachers can reach students beyond their local area, expanding their potential client base and reach. Teachers could market to students in other time zones to fill up their schedules better. This can lead to increased business opportunities and revenue.
• Improved Engagement: Zoom’s interactive features, such as screen sharing, virtual whiteboards, and chat, can make lessons more engaging and interactive for music students, helping them to stay focused and motivated during the music lesson.
• Recording Capability: Zoom allows private music teachers to record their lessons, which can be a helpful tool for both the student and the teacher. Students can review the lesson material at their own pace, and teachers can use the recordings to evaluate student progress and adjust their teaching methods accordingly.
• Reduced Expenses: Using Zoom for online music lessons can be more cost-effective for private music teachers as they can save money on transportation, rental of a teaching space, and other expenses associated with in-person lessons. This might be a great approach for music teachers to start teaching instead of trying to start a music school right away.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Zoom works seamlessly across multiple devices, including PC, Mac, iPhone, and Android devices, allowing teachers and students to connect from anywhere on any device.
• Collaborative Learning: Zoom allows for interactive collaboration between teachers and students, enabling them to work together in real-time, share files, and even co-create music. This can enhance the learning experience and help music students stay motivated and engaged.
• Free Plan: Zoom offers a free plan that includes essential features needed for most music lessons, such as 40-minute meetings and screen-sharing capabilities. This can be a cost-effective option for private music teachers who may not need all the advanced features of the paid plans.
• Easy to Use: Zoom’s user-friendly interface and intuitive features make it easy for private music teachers to set up and conduct online music lessons. It also provides a virtual waiting room for students, allowing the teacher to control when they join the meeting, ensuring privacy and security.
• Easy Scheduling: Zoom allows private music teachers to schedule recurring music lessons. The platform allows teachers to save invitations for recurring meetings, eliminating the need to send a new invitation for each lesson. This feature is particularly helpful for music teachers with regular students who must schedule multiple music lessons in advance.

Zoom alternatives for music lessons

Zoom isn’t the only online music lesson platform that music teachers can use for teaching online. We reviewed the pros and cons of popular online music lesson platforms in another article. Without getting into detail, some Zoom alternatives for online music lessons include:

• Google Meet: a video conferencing tool provided by Google that allows up to 100 participants in a meeting.
• Skype: a widely used platform for video calls that allows users to share their screen and record the session.
• FaceTime: a video and audio calling service exclusive to Apple devices that supports up to 32 participants in a call.
• Microsoft Teams: a platform for online collaboration that includes video conferencing and screen-sharing features.
• Cisco Webex: a platform for video conferencing that allows up to 100 participants and includes features such as screen sharing and file sharing.

While there are several Zoom alternatives for music lessons, Zoom is probably the easiest to use. A big benefit that Zoom has going for it is that it doesn’t matter what kind of device each person has. Zoom works with Macs and PCs. You can use a phone, iPad, or other tablets, so you don’t need to worry about your student’s device. Millions of young people were educated on Zoom in 2020 when the pandemic lockdowns occurred, so students will likely know how to use it already. When this article was written, Zoom was free for a 40-minute meeting, which is typically long enough for most music lessons. If you teach more than 40 minutes, you’d need the Pro Plan, which is very affordable.

How do I teach a music lesson using Zoom?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to initiate a Zoom meeting with a music student.

Step 1: Download and Install Zoom

The first step is downloading and installing the Zoom application on your computer or mobile device. The Zoom app is available for free and can be downloaded from the Zoom website or app store. After downloading, install the app and create a Zoom account.

Step 2: Schedule a Meeting

After creating a Zoom account, schedule a meeting with your music student. You can schedule a one-time meeting or a recurring meeting for multiple sessions. When scheduling the meeting, choose the appropriate time and date that works for both you and your student. You can also choose to enable video and audio for the meeting.

Step 3: Send Invitation

Once the meeting is scheduled, Zoom will generate a unique meeting ID and password that you can share with your music student. You can send the invitation via email, text message, or any other communication method you prefer. MusicTeacherNotes provides a very easy way for teachers to share their Zoom invitations with their students. Ensure that you provide clear instructions on how to access the meeting, including the meeting ID and password.

Step 4: Prepare for the Meeting

Before the meeting, prepare your teaching materials, such as sheet music, instrument, and any other resources needed for the lesson. Ensure that your internet connection is stable and that your camera and microphone are working correctly.

Step 5: Start the Meeting

At the scheduled time, open the Zoom app and click on the “Join Meeting” button. Enter the meeting ID and password, and click on “Join.” Once you and your music student have joined the meeting, ensure that your video and audio settings are correctly configured, and begin the lesson.

Step 6: Conduct the Lesson

During the lesson, use Zoom’s interactive features, such as screen sharing, virtual whiteboard, and chat, to engage your music student. Share your screen to show your music student any teaching materials or demonstrations you have prepared. Use the virtual whiteboard to write down notes, highlight important sections of the music, or illustrate techniques. The chat feature can be used to answer any questions your music student may have during the lesson.

Step 7: End the Meeting

Once the lesson is over, end the meeting by clicking on the “End Meeting” button. You can choose to save the recording of the lesson, which can be helpful for your music student to review the lesson material at their own pace.

Tips for Teaching Music Lessons on Zoom

While teaching music over Zoom may seem daunting at first, it has proven to be an effective tool for many music teachers and students. Here are some tips for using Zoom for music lessons:

Ensure a stable internet connection

A stable internet connection is essential for a successful online music lesson. Make sure that you have a reliable internet connection and that your bandwidth is sufficient for streaming audio and video. If you experience connection issues during the lesson, try to troubleshoot the issue before the next lesson.

Use a high-quality microphone

The sound quality of your lesson is important, so make sure to use a high-quality microphone. A USB condenser microphone is a good option for most people, but a headset with a built-in microphone can also work well.

Adjust your camera position

Make sure that your camera is positioned so that your student can see you and your instrument clearly. If you’re using a laptop, try propping it up so that the camera is at eye level. This will give your student a more natural perspective of your playing position.

Share your screen

Sharing your screen is a great way to show your student sheet music, scales, or other resources. You can also use a virtual whiteboard to draw out examples and explain concepts visually.

Make use of the chat feature

The chat feature in Zoom is a great way to communicate with your student during the lesson. You can use it to send links to resources, ask questions, or provide feedback.

Use the recording feature

Zoom has a recording feature that allows you to record your lesson. This can be a great tool for students to review the material covered in the lesson, or for you to assess your own teaching.

Keep the lesson engaging

Keeping students engaged during an online lesson can be challenging, but there are ways to make it more interesting. Try incorporating games, exercises, and other interactive elements into your lesson to keep your student engaged and motivated.

Use in conjunction with MusicTeacherNotes

MusicTeacherNotes is an online platform that allows you to manage your music lessons and communicate with your students. One of its features is the ability to save your Zoom invitations in the student’s lesson view so that they don’t have to search for the email you sent. The student can see the Zoom link in their own MusicTeacherNotes account. This makes it easy for them to join the lesson without having to search for the invitation.

Conclusion

Teaching music lessons online with Zoom offers flexibility, convenience, and a valuable teaching tool for music educators. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption, it is likely to be a part of teaching music for the foreseeable future. Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform that offers a user-friendly experience for music teachers and students alike. By following some basic setup tips and using Zoom’s scheduling feature, you can easily teach music lessons online.

In addition, using a platform like MusicTeacherNotes can further streamline your online teaching experience by allowing you to manage your lessons and communicate with your students in one place. By incorporating these tips into your online music lessons, you can create an effective and efficient learning experience for your students.