New to Online Music Lessons? Here's What to Expect in Your First Lesson
What you need, what you’ll learn, and how to make your online music lesson a success
Rose Park
updated 10/22/25 • 4 min read
As you explore online music lessons with live teachers, you’ll find that many platforms offer a first lesson to try, either free or paid. But if you’re new to learning music online, you might wonder, “What do I actually do in my first lesson?”
Here’s a complete guide on how to prepare for your first online music lesson, what to expect from your teacher, and how to make the most of your time.
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Table of Contents
How Does the Online Music Lesson Work?
When you sign up for a trial or first lesson, whether it’s complimentary or paid, the session typically lasts 30 minutes.
Once you start your first lesson, the teacher will introduce themselves briefly and ask some questions to get to know you and your musical goals. Share your background, any challenges you’re having with your instrument, and what songs or methods you’ve worked on before. This helps the teacher personalize the lesson moving forward. After the quick intro, you’ll jump into the ‘learning’ part.
Piano beginners will likely start with the first pages of a method book to go over the basics – posture, hand position, finger placement, etc. If you have prior experience, talk about your pieces and techniques to get tips on improving.
For instruments you have to assemble, like flute or violin, put it together ahead of time. This allows more time for the actual learning during the trial. The teacher may ask you to play a piece and then work with you on posture and techniques to help you improve quickly.
For singing lessons, students can expect a focus on proper singing posture, breath support, and finding your comfortable range. Tell your instructor your song interests so they can suggest good vocal warm-ups and practice methods.
Near the end, the teacher will summarize and explain the next steps if you wish to continue the lessons. Some lesson websites may require rescheduling fees if you miss or need to adjust the lesson.
How the teacher will navigate screens
Your instructor will show the details of finger orientation (if the instrument uses hands) through toggle views, which alternate between multiple screens from the teacher’s side. You’ll get a close-up look at their hand movements, making it easy to observe and mirror their technique.
Some teachers will also share their screen to display the method books or exercises you’re both using. By working through the same materials together on a shared screen, you and your teacher can stay in sync. This synchronous approach will help you understand concepts and ask questions while on the exact same page of material. The screen sharing makes it feel like you’re truly learning side-by-side.
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How to Set Up for Your First Online Lesson
For the best online music lesson experience, make sure you have a few key things ready at home:
- Your instrument, properly assembled and tuned
- A stable internet connection — aim for at least 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed
- A laptop or computer to connect to the video call (using a phone is not recommended)
- Software installation or update: video chat platforms like Zoom require installing a desktop app
Walkthrough
Once you sign up for a lesson, you will receive a confirmation message with all the details, including your meeting link and lesson time. Before your trial, do a quick test call to make sure your camera, microphone, and internet connection are working properly. If possible, use an external microphone for clearer sound.
For video platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet, you can join directly from your browser or download the desktop app. Zoom is often preferred for its optimized audio settings for musical instruments. Be sure to turn on the Original Sound feature for the best quality. Google Meet is also easy to use and can be accessed through Google Calendar, Gmail, or a shared link, even without a Google account.
Set up your lesson space in a quiet, well lit area where your teacher can clearly see both you and your instrument. Position your camera so your hands, posture, and instrument are visible. This helps your teacher give better feedback and guidance during the lesson.
Why Online Lessons Work Well for Beginners
One of the best things about online lessons is how much time they save and how easy they make learning from home. Instead of driving to a studio or waiting for your turn, you can use that extra time to practice or focus on what you want to learn. It also makes lessons more affordable, since there are no travel or studio costs to worry about.
You still get real time feedback and clear demonstrations from a professional teacher who’s focused on your progress. With the right music instructor and a little consistency, you’ll be surprised by how much you can learn and improve right from home.
How to Get the Most Out of Your First Online Lesson
1. Be clear about your goals
2. Take quick notes
3. Make the most of feedback
4. Practice right after your lesson
5. Keep communication open
Does Every Lesson Platform Offer a Free Trial?
Not all music lesson providers offer a free trial lesson. We surveyed over 100 teachers on our own platform, Lesson With You, as well as three other major online lesson sites: Wyzant, Superprof, and Thumbtack. Our focus was specifically on piano teachers offering complimentary lessons.
Lesson With You offers free trial lessons across all instruments, has a fixed price of $65 per hour, and provides a better overall value than the three alternatives discussed below. Each instructor holds at least a bachelor’s degree in piano and offers a free 30-minute first lesson with no contracts required.
Wyzant does not offer free trial lessons. It has the largest pool of teachers, but their qualifications vary widely. In general, instructors with lower rates often lack degrees in music or a specific instrument, while those with formal degrees tend to charge significantly higher rates.
At Superprof, some instructors may offer a free first lesson or a discounted trial. The platform features many piano teachers, but most do not hold formal degrees in piano. The lower costs are appealing, but many instructors have not completed intensive piano performance programs at the college level.
Thumbtack does not consistently provide free trial lessons, but it offers more options than Wyzant and Superprof. Its instructors tend to be more qualified overall, often with formal training or degrees. However, lesson rates on Thumbtack are generally higher across the board.
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Online music lessons give you more control over your time, without losing the personal attention you would expect from in-person instruction. Lesson With You makes it simple to stay consistent, progress quickly, and enjoy learning from wherever you are.
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.