How to Teach Piano Online in 4 Easy Steps
How to Teach Piano Online
If you want to learn how to teach piano online, you've come to the right place. Whether you’re just starting out or have been teaching for years, the idea of moving your lessons online might feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry! I’m here to help make the process simple and totally doable for you.
I’ve been coaching music teachers on how to make the switch to online teaching, and the great news is—you can absolutely teach piano online, no matter your tech skills or experience level. By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident about teaching piano online and ready to get started with the tools and tips that will make your lessons run smoothly.
Now, before we get started I want you to know, piano teaching online doesn’t need to be stressful. With the right tools and a little preparation, you’ll be running a smooth and successful online piano studio in no time. You don’t need to have everything perfect right away. Just start where you are, and you’ll get more comfortable as you go.
If you want more support, guidance, and access to step-by-step tutorials, I invite you to join my Teach Music Online Membership It’s a community of teachers just like you who are building their studios online, and we’d love to have you join us.
Setting Up for Piano Teaching Online
Let's jump right into the first step: setting up your teaching space. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be complicated!
Choose Your Device Whether you use a desktop, laptop, iPad, or smartphone, the key is to go with the best device you have available. If that means moving your desktop next to your piano, do it! If you only have your smartphone for now, that’s okay, too. The important thing is to get started with what you’ve got.
Audio Setup Clear audio is essential for online piano lessons. Most devices have built-in mics, but if you can, invest in an external microphone to enhance the sound quality. Good audio ensures your students can hear every note and instruction clearly, which makes a huge difference.
Video Setup Use the built-in camera on your device (it’s probably just fine!). If it’s not, you can always upgrade later to an external webcam. Make sure the camera is stable and positioned so your students can see both you and your piano during lessons. Avoid focusing only on your hands—students need to see your face to engage!
Device Stability Whether you're using a desk, stand, or even a stack of books, make sure your device is stable and angled well. This helps students see you and the piano clearly, making the lesson more interactive and fun.
Must-Have Tools for Online Piano Teaching
Now, let's talk about some helpful tools to make your lessons even better:
Zoom: My top choice for video lessons because it’s reliable, allows screen sharing, and has great audio settings.
Rock Out Loud Live: A newer platform built specifically for music teachers, with superior sound quality compared to Zoom. Definitely worth checking out!
Carol Matz’s Interactive Piano Method: This is one of my favorite digital teaching methods for piano—it’s super engaging for students. I’ll link to it in the show notes so you can explore it for your own studio.
Test Your Setup Before You Start Teaching
Before you dive into teaching, do a quick test call with a friend or family member. Here’s what to check:
Audio: Make sure your microphone settings are optimized. You want to be heard clearly without any issues.
Video angle: Can your student see both your hands on the piano and your face? Adjust the angle if needed.
Screen sharing: If you’re planning to share music or resources on-screen, practice that, too.
Your students will totally understand if things aren’t perfect at first. The important thing is to get started, and you can improve your setup as you go.
Helping Your Students Get Set Up
Your students need a similar setup to yours. They’ll need a device with a camera, a good angle of their piano, and an internet connection. Here’s a tip: I’ve made a video that explains the student setup process in a way that’s super easy to follow. You can send it to your students so they’re ready for online lessons from day one!
Bonus Tip: Headphones can help reduce background noise and improve sound clarity, but they’re optional. If students use them, make sure they plug directly into their device (not Bluetooth) for the best sound quality.
Internet Connection for Smooth Lessons
A stable internet connection is crucial for piano teaching online. If you’re not sure about your internet speed, you can test it at speedtest.net. Ideally, you want speeds of at least 15 Mbps for both download and upload. Anything slower might cause freezing or delays during lessons.
If you or your students have slower internet and can’t upgrade, consider using an app like Marco Polo to send video messages back and forth instead of live lessons. It’s a great workaround if live streaming isn’t an option!
Choosing Your Video Platform
There are several video calling platforms you can use, but my top pick is Zoom. It’s reliable, easy to use, and has great features like a waiting room where students can “wait” until it’s their turn for a lesson. You can use Zoom all day without needing to send new links for each lesson!
Rock Out Loud Live is another great option. It’s designed specifically for music lessons and has amazing audio quality. Whichever platform you choose, stick to one to avoid confusion for both you and your students.
How to Transition Your Piano Students Online
If you haven’t already moved your students online, now is the time! Here’s how to make the transition smooth:
Send an Announcement: Let your students know that lessons are moving online—and be excited about it! Make sure they understand that this isn’t optional; it's the new way forward.
Follow Up: After your initial announcement, follow up with an email or text to confirm everyone’s on board.
Offer a Free Trial Lesson: If some students initially said no to online lessons, offer them a free "catch-up" lesson to show them how easy and fun online lessons can be.
Stay Connected with Your Students and Parents
Communication is key when you’re teaching piano online. Here are a few simple ways to stay in touch:
Send a Studio Email: Share updates, lesson plans, and exciting news with your students and their parents. Keeping them in the loop builds trust and enthusiasm.
Monthly Progress Reports: Send quick, personalized updates to parents about their child’s progress. It doesn’t have to be long—just a few sentences will show parents you’re engaged and paying attention.
Social Media: Share lesson highlights, photos, and videos on your studio’s social media pages. It’s a great way to keep students and parents engaged, even when lessons are online.
Bonus Business Tips for Teaching Piano Online
Finally, here are a few extra tips to help you run your online studio like a pro:
Set Up Online Enrollment Documents: Use tools like Google Forms to create easy-to-fill registration forms. Having a system in place saves you time and helps keep things organized.
Automate Payments: Use Stripe, PayPal, or another online payment system to automate monthly payments. This way, you never have to chase down payments again!
Plan Your Studio Calendar: Take time to plan out the entire year, including recitals and fun events. This helps reduce stress for you and gives your students something exciting to work toward.
Your Next Step For Teaching Piano Online
This blog guide is packed with a lot of detailed, step-by-step information, and you may find yourself wanting to come back to it as you start implementing each of these tips. Feel free to bookmark this page so you can refer to it whenever you need a refresher.
That said, if you want to dive deeper and get the support you need to really put these steps into action, joining the Teach Music Online Membership is a much better option. Inside the membership, you'll get access to all the tools, tutorials, and resources you need, plus personalized support from a community of teachers who are on the same journey. You'll have everything you need to build your online piano studio with confidence.
Join the Teach Music Online Membership and let’s make your online studio the best it can be!