How to Make Money Teaching Music Online

For musicians who want to make money...

You have no income during the 

• Movement Control Order 
• #StayAtHome
• Shelter in Place

You want to work by teaching 1-on-1 lessons but you can't.

You want to teach online but somehow everything you've tried doesn't work.

Don't wait for the restrictions to be changed, instead discover how you can have an amazing teaching studio from home (teaching online).

But how do you survive (and thrive)?

If you’re a musician and you’re stressed out now because...

• You lost gigs
• Your calendar is empty
• You want to teach online but you don’t know how
• You teach online a bit you can’t seem to get students

Then, this class might be what you’re looking for.

How to Make Money Teaching Music Online

Is a recorded 90-minute Facebook Live class that was conducted in a private Facebook group.

This is open to musicians from all around the world who wants to thrive and not just survive in these challenging times.

Past students of this class include:

+ an experienced professional sound engineer & guitarist

+ a new guitarist just starting to teach guitar

Although they come from different backgrounds, both of them started to teach music online AND make money within weeks of completing this class.

I can't guarantee that you'll have the same results (that fast), but you will gain the same knowledge that they now have & use.

This is what you’ll find out in the class:

1) Introduction to teaching online

• How to get over the challenges of teaching online
• The mistakes so many people make (I see these all the time!)
• The differences (and how to make your classes great)
  
  

2) Technology

• What hardware, software & apps to use (and why you shouldn’t buy some gear!)
• What you need to teach (and how to adapt to teaching online)
• My personal suggestions for apps + websites to support teaching
  
  

3) Class Structure & Policies

• What to do (and what to avoid)
• How to not to tire yourself out (and burn out and fall sick)
• Best practice suggestions for class (time, duration)
  
  

4) Payments & Fees

• How to get paid (on time, and paid well)
• How much to charge (best practice & suggestions for different stages)
• How to charge more (and find students who are willing to sign up)
  
  

5) Your Teaching Space

• Best setup for your space
• Camera setup considerations
• How to make it effective for teaching
  
  

6) Marketing your Class

• Social media (how to not hate it)
• Creative promotion tips (so you’re not boring)
• Testimonials (the process & the effectiveness of it)

7) The 3 most important things...

...you must have to teach like a boss (it’s not a Zoom subscription or a fancy web cam)

8) Q&A Session

And… you’ll get to find out more during the Question & Answer (Q&A) Session so that you’re well prepared to start teaching online. The students who attended the class live asked some really good questions that give even more insights for you to benefit from.

This is not your typical teaching online class

Most classes and free information online discuss only the gear or equipment side.

In this class, you will find out the best tips I've discovered through teaching online for the past 10 years and creating music content online for the past 17 years.

Save your time from making mistakes that make you lose students & lose income. 

Start off strong & develop your confidence by building from my experience.

Learn from my mistakes instead! :)

This class is for you if you’re

• A musician who has never taught online before
• Want to teach music online but unsure how to start
• Used to teaching in person private lessons but not online
• Confused with the requirements of teaching online
• Don’t know what gear or software you need
• Looking into teaching 1-on-1 music lessons
• Wanna teach online to supplement your other sources of income
• You have no real income as a musician now due to losing gigs

This class is not for you if you

• Already teach classes online & you’re making a lot of money
• You have a full roster of students teaching online
• You know all about Zoom, Skype, Facebook Video (and even more)
• You teach mostly group classes (this class if more applicable for 1-on-1 teaching)
• Are not open to learning new ways of making a living as a musician
  
• Have no fast speed internet access (teaching online requires the best internet connection you can get)
• You only teach music theory classes (this class is more suited for instrumental teachers)
  
  

Student Testimonials

Gan was one of the beta testers for the early version of the class. She said:

In just 3 days after the class, Azam sent me this testimonial:

And this is what music producer & session musician, Ruviyamin said after going through this:

Why would you listen to me?

I've been teaching online for about 13 years (since 2010).

Via my online presence & strategies, students from all over the world have chosen to study with me. These are students from the United States, Britain, Europe, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

Find out how to not only teach online but also discover how to get your dream students and charge what you deserve.

Still unsure? Here's more info about me:

A 3-time TEDx Speaker, Guitarist-Composer-Educator Az Samad has recorded with Grammy Winners Flaco Jiménez & Max Baca; graduated & taught at Berklee College of Music; performed in the United States, Europe & Asia; and appeared on 22 CDs ranging in styles from Tex-Mex, Contemporary Jazz to solo acoustic guitar. His first book, Jazz Improvisation Uncovered received critical acclaim from jazz guitarist Julian Lage. In addition to that, Az has released 9 other educational jazz products including instructional videos and eBooks.

Az is an advocate & performer of Malay Jazz, focusing on the music of P. Ramlee & Jimmy Boyle. He has given talks & performed internationally including Jarasum International Jazz Festival (South Korea), Hong Kong International Jazz Festival (Hong Kong), multiple appearances at the Penang Islanad Jazz Festival (Malaysia), Borneo Jazz Festival (Malaysia), Mosaic Music Festival (Singapore), Thailand International Jazz Conference (Thailand) & Taipa Houses Museum Amphitheatre (Macau) invited by the The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Bureau, in collaboration with Macau Jazz Promotion Association. Az has also performed the top jazz venues in Kuala Lumpur including No Black Tie, Bobo KL, Alexis Great Eastern Mall & Mezze Lounge.

An experienced performer, Az has performed with virtuoso violinist Roby Lakatos, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Bumblefoot, singer-songwriter Zee Avi, funky fingerstyle guitarist Adam Rafferty and percussive fingerstyle guitarist Mike Dawes. Az has performed as part of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and was the classical guitar soloist for the Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Kuala Lumpur concert conducted by Arnie Roth.

Az is a guest composer for the music-based action-adventure video game, No Straight Roads. His DK West Encounters songs combines rap with Malaysian traditional music elements including Dikir Barat.

What Students have said about Az's teaching:

"I've been taking jazz guitar lesson from Az for the past 13 months. It's a really satisfying process as Az slowly 'demystify' jazz to me step by step. I came to realise that jazz is not as scary as i thought when you have the right guidance and a great teacher. Az made the process of learning to play jazz really fun. I strongly recommend to anyone who wanna learn how to play jazz or improvise to take lesson with Az! His enthusiasm and passion will definitely make you a better player!"

– Seng Jinn, Jazz Guitar Student, Singapore

///

"The Az Samad Jazz Improvisation workshop was fantastic, it gave me the opportunity to see what is supposed to happen at practice for it to be effective. The fact that it was done over two instruments (the keyboard and guitar) gave further insight to how this can be applied. I feel like I've hit a plateau in my guitar playing due to the way I practiced, because I wasn't aware of practicing effectively, as I am a self taught musician. But this workshop truly helped me in the sense that I am now more aware and practice deliberately with the tips I've learnt rather than just doodling with my instrument as I have before. Loved the puns, the content and a chance to watch Az perform!"

– Joshua Khor, Jazz Improvisation Workshop Participant

///

"I just want to say that these last 11 lessons with Az helped open up an entirely new world for me in terms of playing finger-style jazz guitar. While I’m still struggling to get my playing to a level of professionalism that is required for a public performance I believe I will get there some day if I continue to be diligent in rehearsing and practicing.

Az, you have not only been a great mentor and a kind and patient teacher but extremely generous in sharing your skills, wisdom and experience with me. For this I cannot thank you enough. What I have learned from you are not just the half a dozen standards or so but more than that I have learned how to work out songs by myself, thanks to your tutoring.

I wish you the very best in your teaching and performances and will do my best to catch your gigs wherever you play."

– Joe Edwin, Jazz & Fingerstyle Guitar Student

///

"Taking the 2 months Jazz Masterclass with Cikgu Az was really an interesting and important journey for me as a Jazz guitar student. I learn tons in these 2 months studying with him about jazz. He covered with me so much materials in just 2 months time, from basic chord voicings to good tone quality and I really appreciate his enthusiasm and also his patients as he teaches. Through these lessons I learn the importance of learning tunes in different parts. Learning the melody and to be really familiar with it. Learning aspects of harmony in terms of comping and also chord voicings. Improvisations through the melody lines and also chord melodies.

There was an advice which I also will remember is when I said I am very scared in performing in front of people. Cikgu Az bluntly but kindly told me that if I continue to be scared why would I want to perform in the first place? That made me think real hard. I wouldn't say that I have overcome my fears completely but I trying to overcome them step by step.

I really learn a lot from Cikgu Az and he really helped me alot in improving my playing. I hope to have more masterclasses with him in the future and also hopefully one day I could actually perform with him. Thank you so much Cikgu Az! "

– Eric Tan​, Jazz Guitar Masterclass Student

///

"During my 7 years as a guitar student, I took private lessons with over 10 guitarists. Some of them being classical guitarists, some rock guitarists, and some jazz guitarists. Some of them being world-class performers, Berklee College of Music professors, or active guitarists in the local scene. But studying with Az Samad was definitely one of the most profound and musically enriching experience for me. His continuous and incessant passion and curiosity in guitar, motivated and inspired me to constantly work harder. Az also showed me that there is no limit when it comes to guitar, and there is always something to practice. On top of that, it is clearly evident that Az wants all of his students to succeed. Every single week, Az would go over and give feedback on all the materials I worked on, and he constantly gives information and opportunities that will benefit me or his other students. Lastly, it is absolutely unbelievable how much knowledge Az has. For almost every lesson, I would come in with different topics and questions. We covered so many different styles and topics such as: bebop line building, compositional techniques, classical guitar techniques, solo guitar, transcribing, Bach, pentatonics, soloing strategies, and so much more. For every one of these topics and questions, Az always seem to know the detailed answer, and more importantly, ways to improve and solve the question/problem I had. Az, thank you so much for all that you've taught me!"

– Chris Lee, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Jazz Guitar Student)

///

"Sometimes I feel that Az Samad is like a mini Berklee to me, I know it sounds weird...

I come from China, before I met Az, I’ve already play guitar for years, and really tired of this instrument, I’m not just hit the wall, walls are the only thing happen when I play guitar. I’ve seen many guitar players and I know that they can’t help me, probably I could help them (sorry for my arrogance). Also, I’ve seen some high level guitarist too, and they still can’t help me, because teaching is a totally different thing, just like I don’t know how to teach you my mother language.

Then occasionally I met Az, watch him playing, he’s so good, and I go back home google him... Worth trying... you know...

Every time I taking the class is like a Jazz Improvisation Session, me and Az, nobody knows what’s gonna happen, so much fun and efficient, coz I won’t spend times on the things I already know."

– QuYuan Leo, Sound Engineer, Former Radio DJ, Guitarist

///

"I have been a guitarist for almost 10 years and thought I could just get by with chords and melody. Learning from Az has been an amazing experience, every lesson has multiplied my knowledge of music and just went I thought I learned enough about a particular thing, he amazes me with his depth of knowledge and wisdom. I always look forward to the next lesson, never knowing what I may learn and discover every session. Az Samad's lessons are tailor made for anyone, be it an aspiring musician, a music enthusiast or an advance player, he has always something to offer and in spades. He is a brilliant maestro but an equally great mentor if not better!!"

– Benjamin Khong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Completed The Jazz Guitar Masterclass Course)

///

"Like most guitar enthusiasts, I started off young, enthusiastic and eager to learn, but eventually lost my zeal and got stuck in a rut with the same licks and chord progressions. Even though I wanted so much to learn about jazz guitar playing, the online resources available kept me away with their complex lingo on jazz standards and music theory. So when I heard about Az, I immediately called about classes.

I can remember the first class with Az so vividly, the way he handles guitar classes is truly a breath of fresh air. Always smiling and warm, he unravelled the basic jazz chords, as well as their arpeggios within the first lesson. I remember driving back and trying to recall all that I had learnt, and telling my mom how much I had enjoyed the class. Moreover, taking classes with Az has reinvigorated my desire to improve and practice harder than before. He has also opened up my playing from being a purely 'pentatonic scale' player to venture beyond my comfort zones on the fretboard. To put it in a nutshell, I've truly rediscovered my passion for the guitar.

From my experience with guitar teachers, I can testify that not all great guitar players make great guitar teachers. But Az is the exception to this rule, and I can't wait to get back to classes with him, so that I can continue learning! "

– Arwin Goo, Jazz Guitar Student, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

///

"Studying guitar with Az Samad is awesome. The 2 months of Jazz Guitar Masterclass is a kickass journey for me, made my money well spent. Haha. Az Samad's teachings is so well structured. Talking about soloing over changes, I spent most of my time finding more licks to solo, so that I don't play the same licks over and over again in every song. After I started Az Samad's lesson, I understand that being able to play a good solo is more than just practicing licks ! Hahaha. Good one.

We talked about how to explore and practice chord voicings, melodic comping, writing lines over changes, rhythmic and melodic motif development . Trust me, Az Samad is a friendly guy and it's really easy for me to get information from Teacher Az in any topic related to guitar. At least enough for a year to practice I can say. Hahaha.

Now that I've completed this 2 months Jazz Guitar Course, I feel better at understanding about Jazz Guitar. One of the most important information that I've got from Teacher Az Samad is, there are too many things for us to practice, we have to be sure what is our goal and we want to achieve so that we can have a good direction to plan for our every practice session. Really appreciate all the information I got from classes and I'm PROUD to be Az Samad's student ! =)"

– Chee Seng, Guitarist, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

How much is the investment for this class?

Students & musicians pay me US$150/per hour.

This means if you took a 1-on-1 session with me, this class would be US$225.

Since quite a number of people have reached out to me privately on this topic, you can now save and attend this introductory group class instead.

The class is currently priced of US$60.

NOTE: The live version of the class has already taken place. When you purchase this class, you will receive access to the recording of this class.

In addition to the original live-streamed Facebook Live video, you will also receive HD & SD versions of the class from my other camera (side view, with clearer video + audio). 

Class Details:

This was a 90-minute live class conducted via Facebook Live in a private Facebook group.

You will received the class recording & the class handout.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. I couldn't attend the class live. Is there a recording of it?
Yes, the class has be recorded. You will have access to the class recording of the original Facebook Live session. 

2. Do I get notes with this class?
Yes, you will receive PDF handouts to accompany the class.

3. I'm in the United States/Europe/Asia - is this class applicable to me?
Yes, the concepts taught will be applicable to music teachers from all over the world as long as you have a good internet connection to conduct online video lessons.

4. I'm new to this. I've never taught online yet just in person classes before this. Will this help me?
Yes, this class will equip you with the knowledge to empower you to teach online (even if you've never taught online before).

5. I'm not tech savvy. Will I end up buying a lot of expensive equipment to do this?

You will find out the most practical ways to conduct online 1-on-1 music lessons most likely using equipment you already own! 

6. I already teach online. Will this be useful for me?

It depends. If you already have enough students OR already make more than enough money, then this isn't for you.

However, if you feel like you can still grow & get more students (or get BETTER students), this might help.

7. Is this easy to apply?

Some of it is easy. Some of it takes more time. Like anything, you get what you put in. The more you apply the concepts, the better the results you'll get. If you're looking for an instant quick fix, this is not for you. 

8. Why is this expensive?
US$60 might be quite an investment for some of you.

I understand. But consider how much money you could be making when you get 1, 2 or 3 students who keep studying with you over a year. Would you make back the US$60? Would you make more than that?

Also, you'll learn what my 1-on-1 students have paid $US150 for (that's my hourly teaching rate, as of 2023). So there's that too.

9. Is there a discount?

No. This is already value packed at US$60. In fact the price will likely go up in the future, without any advance notice. 

Ready to sign up?

Click "I want this!" to get enrolled now.

NOTE: This class was originally released and called, "How To Teach Music Online Like a Boss"