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Step-by-step guide

Music lessons (piano, guitar, voice): your step-by-step start

Teach piano, guitar, singing or another instrument to children and adults, at your home, theirs or online.

  • 18 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • about 1 hour in total

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • Musicians who play well and enjoy teaching beginners patiently.

Think twice if

  • You need money within the next two weeks: first income usually takes about 30 days.
  • You do not want to find and talk to customers yourself.

Honest expectations

  • First income usually takes about 30 days.
  • Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.
  • The main risk to plan for: cancellations: bill monthly in advance.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How music lessons (piano, guitar, voice) worksFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Pricing and getting paid5 min (in the full guide)
    3. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Record a short video of you playing3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Tell two schools and churches you teach3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first customers: who to message5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Start your first students and bill monthly in advance3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Ask parents for referrals3 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Add a small group class3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Plan a student concert for referrals3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

R0 to R2 000 to get started, from our research

What you will use:

  • Instrument
  • Beginner books
  • Lesson diary
  • Monthly invoice

Prices change and differ by area, so check two places near you before you buy.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 24 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 24 October 2027.