Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can start & grow your music teaching business.

Teaching music be such a rewarding way to turn your musical talent into a thriving career. Whether you're looking to earn some extra income, want a flexible work schedule, or simply love the idea of helping others develop their musical skills, starting a music teaching business can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor.

For the last 9 years, I have taught music and it’s a profession that has allowed me to work part-time hours, enjoy the satisfying process of mentoring music students and has provided me with a steady-income as a musician. I’m here to show you how to get started in teaching music.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step you need to take to become a successful music instructor and establish a profitable teaching business. From selecting your teaching business model to marketing your services and managing your business operations, this blog covers all the essential aspects of becoming a music teacher. Let’s do it.

Before We Get Started Let’s Answer Some Frequently Asked Questions…

Do you need qualifications to teach music?

In short…NO! Despite what you may believe, you don't need a formal qualification to start teaching music. In fact, if you have a grasp of the basics, you're already qualified to begin your journey as a beginner music teacher.

Teaching music isn't solely reserved for those who have spent years in formal music education. While a degree in music can provide valuable knowledge and skills, it's not a prerequisite for becoming an effective teacher. What truly matters is your ability to communicate and share your passion for music with your students. As long as you have a solid understanding of fundamental instrumental techniques and can convey them to others, you're well-equipped to embark on your teaching journey.

But I’ve Never Taught Music Before…

One common misconception is that obtaining a formal music degree is necessary to establish credibility as a music teacher. While a degree may provide some clout, what truly matters to students and parents is the results you deliver. By focusing on helping your students progress, learn new songs, and achieve their musical goals, you'll build a reputation as a reliable and effective teacher, regardless of formal qualifications.

Your ability to deliver tangible results to your students is what will ultimately set you apart as a music teacher. Whether it's helping a beginner master their first chord or guiding an intermediate student through a challenging solo, the impact you have on your students' progress is what matters most. Focus on building a track record of success and providing value to your students, and your reputation as a skilled teacher will naturally follow.

Ok, now with that out of the way. Let’s get into the step-by-step guide on how I would start and grow my guitar teaching business if I had start again right now.

Step 1: Music Teaching Foundations

Picking The Teaching Business Model That’s Right For You:

Mobile 1-1 Lessons (Travel to people’s houses), In-Studio 1-1 Lessons (Students come to you) or Group Music Teaching
Each one has it’s pros and cons - For beginner music teachers, I normally recommend the 1-1 Mobile Lessons

Step 2: Developing A Brand For Your Music Teaching Business

Decide who is your ideal student? What kind of music do they want to learn? What would you love to teach music students?
Branding: Ask yourself questions like what will my brand personality be? What are my music playing strengths? What is my point of difference to other music teachers? What will your lessons focus on?
Create A Brand Name For Your Teaching Business: Make sure it’s memorable, easy to pronounce, reflects your target audience (e.g. Metal guitarists - Shredder Guitar School, or anything that relates to your ideal student). It also needs to be unique and sets the tone for your brand identity because it will be used for your logo, website design, marketing materials, etc.)
Create A Logo: Make sure it aligns aesthetically with your business name, target audience and core values. Use Colour theory and colour psychology (Red = Excitment, boldness and aggression). Different colours speak to different demographics.

Step 3: Creating A Bulletproof Studio Policy

If you don’t have a studio policy or set of rules for new students, they will cancel lessons last minute, take advantage of you and complain about small issues

What to include in your studio policy:

Contact hours - when students can communicate with you
Clear explanation of how they pay for lessons
Any additional costs for them while learning guitar
What happens if they cancel a lesson
What happens if the teacher cancels a lesson
Clear explanation of how the Makeup Lesson Credits work
What happens over the holiday period
Media Consent Form - You can take photos and videos during the lesson to then use for promotional material
Discontinuation of lessons with you

Step 4: Selecting Your Desired Payment System

You need to decide how your students will pay you
You want to make it quick and easy for your students and not labour-intensive for yourself

POOR - Cash - Cash after each lesson is not ideal as it makes it easy for students to cancel last minute, leaving you with no income

OK - Invoices - Students pay for a group of lessons (e.g. 5 weeks of lessons) upfront

BEST - Monthly Memberships - Automated payment system, similar to Netflix or Gym Membership. Creates recurring income and it’s easier to pair with your studio policy

Step 5: Decide On Your Lesson Length

This may change depending on the student

Pros of Half-Hour Lessons:

Fit more students in your schedule - good for 1-1 lessons
Normally less expensive for students
More flexibility in scheduling
Better for younger students with shorter attention spans

Pros of Hour Lessons:

More time to go in-depth with topics and for your student to get a better understanding of techniques and songs
Address questions from students thoroughly
Better for older or more advanced students

Step 6: Decide On Your Lesson Price

Here in Australia, the normal rate for 1-1 lessons is $1 per minute ($30 for half-hour, $60 per hour)

Pricing Your Lessons For Beginner Music Teachers:

It’s totally fine to start your guitar teaching journey by offering slightly lower rates to get experience and build up your student base

I recommend starting with Mobile Music Lessons (travelling to students' homes) as you can still charge more as a beginner guitar teacher and set yourself apart from your competitors

Step 7: Find Music Students For Your Music Teaching Business

Create a Website: And What It Should Include

Explanation of how you’re going to solve your target audiences problems (Too much screen time, social isolation, lack of opportunity for creative expression)
Benefits of learning guitar with a narrow focus on your target demographic’s problems and desires
Info on how your lessons are different from all the other teachers in your area
Reviews and other social proof
‘Book a Trial lesson now’ (CALL TO ACTION) Buttons featured throughout the page
A graphic that promotes scarcity of availability (3 lesson spots left!)
Built-in trial lesson sign-up form that is linked to your email (I use MyMusicStaff online sign up form)
Music-teaching and location keywords to improve SEO ranking
A few pictures of REAL students (not Stock photos)
Location of your studio to boost SEO ranking

Create A Google Maps Listing:

Your Website takes time for Google to start ranking your Website in the Top 5 even if you’re a Wiz at SEO

By creating a Google Maps listing, your business can appear in the Top 5 search results way quicker!

A Google Maps Listing is the first part of the marketing system that you should set up

What to include in your Google Maps listing:

Photos of your students having fun
Videos of your students playing guitar
Compelling Bio - Benefits of lessons
5-Star Reviews from your students
Studio Address
Link to your Website/Landing Page
Offers and Discounts

Additional Marketing Strategies:

Post in Local FB Community Groups
List your services in Music Teacher Directories

OK… that’s enough for now. Unfortunately I can’t put all the information you need in this blog post, otherwise it would be 300 pages long.

How To Make Money Teaching Music: A Beginner’s Guide