Today, many music academies are exploring both Physical and Online Classes to reach more students and grow their business. Music has the power to connect people, no matter where they are. With technology, music education is no longer limited to physical classrooms.
But is it the right choice for your academy? Should you stick to in-person classes, go fully online, or offer both? In this guide, we will discuss the pros and cons of each approach and how you can build a successful hybrid music academy.
Pros & Cons of Physical and Online Classes
Physical Music Classes (In-Person Learning)
Many students and teachers love the traditional face-to-face learning experience.
Advantages:
- Better student engagement: Teachers can observe body language, posture, and technique more closely.
- Stronger personal connection: Students feel more motivated with direct feedback.
- Better sound quality: No internet lag or compression affecting music clarity.
- Structured environment: Fewer distractions compared to learning at home.
Challenges:
- Limited reach: Only students in the local area can attend.
- Higher costs: Renting or maintaining a space is expensive.
- Time constraints: Fixed class timings may not suit all students.
Online Music Classes (Virtual Learning)
With the rise of digital platforms, students can now learn music from anywhere in the world.
Advantages:
- Global reach: Your academy can attract students from different cities or even countries.
- Flexible scheduling: Students and teachers can choose their convenient time slots.
- Lower costs: No need for a physical space, reducing rent and maintenance costs.
- Recorded lessons: Students can revisit recorded sessions for practice.
Challenges:
- Internet issues: Poor connectivity can disrupt classes.
- Less personal interaction: Harder to correct techniques without physical presence.
- Sound quality limitations: Audio compression on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet may reduce sound clarity.
Which One is Better?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer! If you want to expand your reach while keeping the personal touch, offering both Physical and Online Classes (a hybrid model) might be the best choice.
How Online Classes Can Increase Your Student Base
One of the biggest benefits of adding online music classes is that you can teach students from anywhere. This means:
- More students: You are no longer limited by location.
- More income: More students mean higher revenue.
- More flexibility: You can schedule classes at different times for different time zones.
Example: A piano teacher in New York can teach students in Los Angeles, London, or Dubai all from the same room!
A report by Statista shows that the online education market is expected to reach $390 billion by 2026. This proves that online learning is the future and music academies should take advantage of it.
Tools Needed for Smooth Online Classes
To offer high-quality online music lessons, you need the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Video Conferencing Platform 🎧
You need a stable and clear platform to conduct live classes. The best options are:
✔️ Zoom – Offers HD audio and video with screen-sharing features.
✔️ Google Meet – Free and reliable, but has fewer features than Zoom.
✔️ Skype – Good for one-on-one classes but not ideal for group lessons.
2. High-Quality Audio Equipment 🎙️
Since music requires clear sound, invest in:
✔️ External microphones – USB mics like Blue Yeti or Rode NT-USB provide better sound quality.
✔️ Audio interface – If teaching instruments, an audio interface like Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 helps improve sound clarity.
✔️ Headphones – Use closed-back headphones like Audio-Technica M50x to reduce background noise.
3. Good Video Setup 📹
✔️ HD Webcam – A webcam like Logitech C922 provides sharp video quality.
✔️ Proper Lighting – Use a ring light or softbox for better visibility.
4. Scheduling & Payment Tools 📅
To organize classes and collect payments, use:
✔️ Calendly – For scheduling lessons with automatic reminders.
✔️ PayPal / Stripe – For accepting international payments.
Using these tools ensures that your online classes run smoothly and professionally.
How to Set Up a Hybrid Model (Both Physical and Online Classes)
A hybrid music academy allows students to choose between physical and online classes. Also, there are students who can’t attend Physical classes in week days, the choose online during week days and Physical during week-ends. Hence academy should consider offering offering both Physical and Online Classes. Here’s how you can do it:
🎶 Step 1: Offer a Flexible Schedule
✔️ Have separate time slots for physical and online students.
✔️ Allow students to switch between online and in-person classes if needed.
🎶 Step 2: Use a Learning Management System (LMS)
✔️ Platforms like Teachable or Thinkific help you create an online learning portal for students.
🎶 Step 3: Record & Upload Lessons
✔️ Offer pre-recorded lessons for students who miss live sessions.
🎶 Step 4: Train Your Teachers
✔️ Ensure that instructors are comfortable teaching both online and offline.
Offering Physical and Online Classes: Hybrid model combines the best of both worlds—the personal touch of in-person classes and the flexibility of online learning.
How to Charge Fees for Online vs. Physical Classes
Should online classes be cheaper than in-person lessons?
📌 In-person lessons cost more because of rent, utilities, and maintenance expenses.
📌 Online lessons have lower overhead costs but may require higher tech investment.
💰 Pricing Example:
✔️ In-person guitar class: $50 per hour
✔️ Online guitar class: $35 per hour
✔️ Recorded course (lifetime access): $150 one-time payment
Offering multiple pricing options gives students more flexibility while ensuring your academy remains profitable.
Success Stories of Music Institutes That Shifted to Hybrid
Many music academies have successfully moved to a hybrid model and grown their student base.
🎵 Example: Berklee Online
Berklee College of Music, one of the world’s top music schools, launched Berklee Online to offer music courses globally. Now, students from all over the world can take Berklee courses without traveling to the US.
🎵 Example: Yamaha Music Schools
Yamaha Music Schools offer both physical and online classes, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
These examples show that hybrid music education is the future!
Offering both physical and online music classes can help your academy grow, attract more students, and increase revenue.
✔️ Physical classes provide hands-on learning and better engagement.
✔️ Online classes offer flexibility, global reach, and lower costs.
✔️ A hybrid model combines the best of both worlds.
If you want to expand your music academy, going hybrid which is offering both Physical and Online Classes is the best choice! 🎶
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can online music classes be as effective as in-person lessons?
✅ Yes! With the right tools, clear audio, video, and structured lessons, online classes can be just as effective as physical classes.
❓ How much should I charge for online music lessons?
✅ The pricing depends on your expertise and lesson format. Generally, online lessons are 10-30% cheaper than in-person classes.
❓ Which is the best platform for teaching music online?
✅ Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype are popular choices. You can also use Teachable for recorded courses.
Also Read: How Growing Music Academy with a Franchise Model is profitable: 5 ways