The reality of COVID-19 has shifted the way many people learn music, with online education now being embraced by many people. This has been a huge game-changer for musicians who now see online music teaching as a viable option for the future. And rightly so. Online music tuition isn’t anything new. A single search on Google or YouTube will convince you of the many music teachers who have already started offering their expertise online. However, conducting online music lessons is very different from in-person music lessons. So, in this article, Cy Fair Music & Arts site will explore how to teach music lessons online.
How Are You Going To Deliver Your Music Lessons?
Before embarking on your online music teaching journey, you must consider how you will deliver your music lessons. This is important as it will determine the equipment and resources you’ll need to get started.
There are several routes you can take to deliver your services. Let’s examine a few of them in more detail.
Online Music Education Websites
An online music education website is where you can upload your video lessons, and students can access them at their convenience. These websites usually have a membership system whereby students pay a monthly or annual subscription to access your content.
The advantage of using an online music education website is that you can reach a global audience with little effort. You also don’t have to worry about hosting or maintaining your website, as the website platform will take care of that for you. Examples of online music education websites include LessonFace and Takelessons.
Freelance Websites
Freelance websites are platforms where you can advertise your services, and students can contact you directly to book lessons. These platforms usually take a percentage of the lesson fee as commission for connecting you with the student.
Set Up Your Online Business Website
Setting up your online business website is the way to go if you want more control over your business and to keep all the revenue generated. You’ll be able to design your website to reflect your brand and offer a range of music-related services, such as online lessons, video production, and so on. The downside of having your website is that you’ll need to invest time and money into building and maintaining it. You’ll also be responsible for marketing your website to reach your target audience.
Live Video Conferencing Platforms
Music teachers commonly use live video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts to deliver online lessons. These platforms are easy to use and are usually free.
When deciding which route to take, consider your budget, time investment, and desired level of control over your business.
Identify The Type Of Music Instrument And Genre You Want To Teach
Since music is a vast subject, it’s important to identify the type of musical instrument and genre you want to teach. This will help you create targeted content and market your services more effectively. For example, if you’re a guitar teacher, you can specialize in teaching classical guitar, electric guitar, or acoustic guitar.
Likewise, if you’re a piano teacher, you can specialize in teaching jazz piano, blues piano, or pop piano.
The next step is to decide on the format of your lessons. Will you give live lessons, or will you create video lessons? You will also need to decide whether your’s will be one-to-one or group lessons.
Set Up Your Equipment
There is more to online music lesson delivery than having musical instruments. You must also have the right equipment to deliver a high-quality service. The following items will be needed:
-Webcam and microphone on a computer or laptop
-Good internet connection
-Music software such as Sibelius, Finale, or Logic Pro
-External hard drive to store your video lessons
-Printer to print sheet music
-Scanner to scan sheet music
-An instrument amplifier (if you’re teaching electric guitar or bass)
Create An Environment Conducive To Learning
It’s important to have an environment that’s conducive to learning. This means having a well-lit room with minimal distractions. In addition, make sure that your computer and internet connection is capable of streaming video and audio without any problems.
Create A Schedule And Prepare Your Lessons
Creating a schedule is important for two reasons. First, it will help you stay organized and avoid double-booking yourself. Second, it will give your students a sense of structure and predictability when creating your schedule, factor in time for lesson preparation and any additional commitments you may have.
Once you have your schedule sorted, it’s time to start preparing your lessons. This involves creating sheet music, backing tracks, video lessons and other materials that you’ll need for your lessons.
Promote Your Music Lessons
Finally, you need to get the word out about your online music lessons. The best way to do this is through social media and other digital marketing channels. You can also use more traditional methods such as print marketing and word-of-mouth.
When promoting your lessons, including information about your qualifications, experience, and the type of music you teach. You should also include a link to your website or online booking platform.
The online music lesson business is a great way to make money while doing something you love. Following the steps above, you can easily set up your online music lesson business. With a little effort, you can soon be on your way to becoming a successful music teacher.
