Online music lessons
Teach instrument or singing lessons by video call to pupils anywhere in the UK.
- £100-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
One-to-one or small group music lessons given over video call. You can teach from home and reach pupils beyond your local area, especially in less common instruments.
Your first three steps
- Set up a reliable internet connection, a decent microphone and a camera angle that shows your hands or posture
- Trial a few lessons with friends or former pupils and ask for honest feedback on sound and picture quality
- Create a simple page or social profile with prices, your teaching style and a short demo video
Who pays
Parents, adult learners and pupils who cannot easily find a local teacher for their instrument.
How it makes money
Pupils pay per lesson, monthly or per term, usually by card or bank transfer in advance.
Skills that help
- Playing or singing to a good standard
- Clear, patient explanation on camera
- Comfort with video calls and simple audio set-up
- Organising a timetable across different days and times
Watch out for
- Sound quality over video can limit what you can teach, so test your set-up first
- Safeguarding when teaching children online: consider an enhanced DBS check and involve parents
- Public liability or professional indemnity insurance, check what suits online teaching
- Check the terms of any lesson platform you use, including fees and recording rules
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online music lessons
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start giving online music lessons?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £100 to £600, depending on your camera, microphone and any lesson platform you choose. Sound quality over video can limit what you can teach, so test your set-up first.
How much can you earn teaching music online?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £250 to £1,800, depending on how many pupils you teach and your fees. The estimates assume at least about 5 hours a week of work.
What should I check before teaching music online?
Check the terms of any lesson platform you use, including fees and recording rules. Also check public liability or professional indemnity insurance suited to online teaching, and consider an enhanced DBS check and involving parents when teaching children online.
Other ways to run this business
Home music teaching studio
Teach instrument or singing lessons from a spare room to local children and adults.
- £150-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Local music school with teachers
Rent a small space and run a music school with several teachers and termly fees.
- £2k-10k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Similar teaching and tutoring ideas
Regular babysitter for after-school care
Build a set of regular weekly bookings, such as school pick-ups and tea, in families' homes.
- £200-600
- Part-time
- Out and about
Online school subject tutor
Teach GCSE, A-level or primary subjects one-to-one over video, with pupils from anywhere in the UK.
- £50-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Online German tutor
Teach German one to one over video to adults and students, from your own home.
- £50-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Online piano lessons
Teach piano by video call to pupils anywhere, with no travel and a flexible timetable.
- £50-600
- Side hustle
- Online
Tutor visiting pupils at home
Travel to pupils' homes for face-to-face lessons in the subjects you know best.
- £50-500
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Home-based maths tutor
Teach maths one to one or in small groups from a quiet space at home, mostly after school and at weekends.
- £50-500
- Side hustle
- From home
Photo: nhicnttcantho on Pixabay