Guitar · Lessons, app, books
JustinGuitar
Justin Sandercoe
Free, structured guitar lessons that grew into an app, songbooks and paid courses.
Read the profile →TEACH GUITAR AND MUSIC
Teach guitar and music.Lessons, courses and channels for the instrument you’ve played for years
Millions of people want to play. Many quit because nobody explained it clearly and kindly. That could be your job now.
THE SHORT ANSWER
To teach guitar or music online, start with one-on-one video lessons to learn how students get stuck, then turn your best explanations into a structured beginner course or a YouTube lesson series. Film your hands clearly, teach in small steps, and add a membership or community once you have regular students.
What people pay for in guitar and music
| Format | What it looks like | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-one lessons | Weekly video-call lessons | Income right away and great teaching practice |
| Beginner course | A structured path from first chord to first song | Sells for years |
| YouTube lessons | Short lessons on one skill or song | Builds the audience |
| Membership | New lessons, play-alongs and live Q&A | Steady monthly income |
| Group workshops | Theory, songwriting or style deep dives | High value events |
| Tabs, charts and practice plans | Downloads | Easy first products |
The journey, step by step
Our complete guide, From Know to Tell, walks through ten steps from “I might know something” to a small business. Here’s what each step looks like for guitar and music. Tap a step to read the full version.
| Step | For guitar and music |
|---|---|
| 01 · Notice what you know | List what students and friends always ask: barre chords, strumming, reading tab, theory. |
| 02 · Pick one thing | Narrow it: adult beginners, blues for players over 50, fingerstyle, worship guitar. |
| 03 · Find your people | Players gather in forums, local music shops, jam sessions and YouTube comments. |
| 04 · Choose how you’ll tell it | Music suits video and live lessons; downloads support both. |
| 05 · Make your first small thing | Teach three free lessons to adult beginners and note where they struggle. |
| 06 · Set up only the tools you need | Video calls for lessons, a video tool, and a course platform or storefront. |
| 07 · Share it and listen | Share a lesson and ask learners what to cover next. |
| 08 · Decide how it earns | Lessons first, then a course, membership or downloads. |
| 09 · Make it a real business | Songs are copyrighted: see the watch-outs below. |
| 10 · Keep going | A regular lesson schedule keeps students practicing and paying. |
Filming tips for music teachers
Tips
- Use two angles: the fretting hand and the strumming or picking hand.
- Record audio separately or with a good microphone near the instrument.
- Show a slow version first, then full speed.
- Put chord names and diagrams on screen or in a printable sheet.
Teaching songs legally
Songs are copyrighted. Teaching techniques, chords and your own exercises is safest.
Selling tabs or sheet music of other people’s songs usually needs a license; check before you sell song transcriptions.
On YouTube, playing covers can trigger copyright claims; original exercises and public-domain songs avoid most problems.
This is general information, not legal or professional advice. Check the rules where you live.
People who did it
Music · YouTube, book, courses
Rick Beato
Rick Beato
A record producer and teacher explaining why great songs work, with a music theory book and courses behind the channel.
Read the profile →Tools for your first step
Zoom ↗Teach one-on-one lessons by video.Teachable ↗Host a structured beginner course with checkout built in.Descript ↗Edit lessons and add on-screen notes quickly.
Know + Tell is free. Some tool links pay us a commission; here’s how we choose.
Ask Claude
I’ve played [instrument] for [years], mostly [style]. Help me design a beginner course for [who, e.g. adults over 50 who’ve never played]: 8 short lessons that build from first chord to first full song, a practice routine for each week, and the most common mistakes to warn students about. Use original exercises or public-domain songs.
Paste the prompt into Claude and fill in the [brackets] with your own details.QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK
Questions people ask.
Can I teach guitar online without a music degree?
Yes. Clear teaching and real playing experience matter far more to most students than formal credentials.
Can I teach popular songs on YouTube?
You can teach techniques freely, but performing or selling transcriptions of copyrighted songs can trigger claims or need a license. Original exercises and public-domain songs are safest.
How much should I charge for online lessons?
Look at local and online lesson rates for your style and experience, start in that range, and raise prices as you build a waiting list.
What equipment do I need to teach music online?
A camera or phone on a stand, a decent microphone and good light. A second camera angle helps for hand detail.
Should I teach one-on-one or make a course?
Start with one-on-one lessons to learn where students struggle, then turn your best explanations into a course.
KEEP GOING