Music tutor teaching online or at home

Parents of school-age children, adult learners and students preparing for graded exams.

An hourly or per-lesson rate, often paid weekly or monthly in advance, with regular students giving steady income.

• Strong skills on your instrument or voice
• Patience and clear explanation
• Planning lessons for different ages and levels
• Basic admin and scheduling

• Check whether you need a DBS check, especially if teaching children or working through schools or agencies
• Public liability insurance, and check your home insurance if teaching at home
• Check any rules or permission needed to run lessons from your home
• Safeguarding, including clear policies for online lessons with children
• Take care when photocopying or sharing sheet music, as copyright applies

Startup costs are typically around £100 to £800, depending on your equipment, insurance and whether you teach online or at home. These are estimates, so work out what you need for your instrument and teaching setup before you begin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £200 to £2,000, depending on how many pupils you teach, the prices you charge and the hours you put in. Many tutors start with around 5 hours a week and build up.

Check whether you need a DBS check, especially if you teach children or work through schools or agencies. Also check public liability insurance, your home insurance if teaching at home, and safeguarding policies for online lessons with children.