Who We Are
TakeLessons is the largest online service marketplace for music lessons and academic tutoring in the U.S. A pioneer in the online services space, TakeLessons also equips teachers with web-based scheduling, billing and communication tools.
Unlike a referral service where any teacher can join, TakeLessons contracts and certifies each and every instructor after a thorough application and interview process, which includes a criminal background check. As a result, you can be sure you'll receive an exceptional lesson experience each and every time with a safe and qualified teacher.
Our company is headquartered in San Diego, CA; however, we work with teachers and students throughout the United States.
TakeLessons is an online marketplace for a variety of lessons. You can find instructors teaching dance, music, acting, and a wide range of academic subjects.
Finding Your Teacher
TakeLessons requires all teachers to submit a detailed application, complete an extensive interview, and pass a criminal background check. After a teacher is hired, our community of students takes over. While we provide ongoing support and training for teachers, those who receive low feedback ratings from students may be removed from the site.
Several factors go into finding the best teacher match for you. You'll want to consider your schedule, goals, experience level and any other specific needs you may have. All of our instructors create their own personalized profiles, so we encourage you to browse through the teachers in your area to get a feel for their different personalities, teaching styles and more. And don't worry - if you're not satisfied with the teacher you select, you can switch at anytime.
Related resources: Learn more about selecting a teacher
For privacy reasons, you'll have access to your instructor's contact information once your lessons have been scheduled and billed. Your instructor will call you to confirm your lesson time and location, discuss your goals, and answer any additional questions you have about getting started.
We hold our teachers to a very high standard, so we encourage students to contact us if any issues or concerns come up. Our support staff is trained to help determine solutions that will work for both parties. And of course, you're welcome to switch teachers at any time.
Related resources: Learn more about switching teachers
Getting Started With Lessons
Once you've booked your lessons, please check your inbox for a Welcome Email, which will include the username and password for your online student account, as well as a link to your Student Agreement and New Student Questionnaire. Once you've signed the agreement, your teacher will be notified and will call you within the next couple of days. During this initial call, your teacher will confirm your first lesson time and provide you with directions to their studio, if needed. We also encourage you to discuss your goals and any other questions you may have at this time.
At this point, you're all set for your lessons! Your teacher will customize your lesson plan based on what you want to learn, so don't be afraid to speak up. And of course, if you ever need to adjust your schedule or bill, you can make those changes within your online account.
Yes. Our instructors do not provide the instruments. If you have any trouble getting your instrument by the date of your first lesson, speak with your instructor directly, and he/she will work with you to determine how to proceed. Your teacher can also give you good recommendations for local music stores to purchase and/or rent instruments.
Most beginner students take one lesson per week. This is recommended by most teachers, as it gives you adequate time in between lessons to practice what you've been working on. However, we do give you the flexibility of learning at your own pace, so your schedule and the number of lessons you take is entirely up to you! Remember, you always have the option to change the frequency of your lessons as you go along.
The recommended length of your lesson will depend on your age, experience level and goals. Younger students, for example, should start with 30-minute lessons while they are getting comfortable with the lesson structure and instructor. As the student progresses, 45-minute lessons are a good middle-of-the-road option as you work on specific goals. 60 minutes is the recommended length of a lesson for advanced students and all levels of academic tutoring sessions.
TakeLessons accepts students ages 5 and up for most lessons. Voice students will typically start at a slightly later age (e.g. 8 or 9), when their vocal cords are more mature. However, some TakeLessons instructors who are willing to teach students younger than 5.
A good time to extend the length of a lesson for a beginner is after about 30-60 days, but this depends on your progress and consistency. Your teacher is an excellent resource to help determine if extending your lesson length will be beneficial for you.
As a TakeLessons student, you'll have access to your online student account, where you can easily track your schedule, manage your bills, make payments, communicate with your teacher and more. In addition, you can search our Resource Section and blog articles for tips and expert advice.
Pricing
Lesson rates vary depending on your location and the length of the lessons. Additionally, lesson prices can change depending on whether you take them in your home, at your instructor's studio, or online.
Lesson rates vary depending on your location and the length of the lessons. Additionally, lesson prices can change depending on whether you take them in your home, at your instructor's studio, or online.
Lessons are paid for in advance, which guarantees your time slot with the teacher that you've selected. You can find your billing information - including the date of your upcoming bill and how much you'll be charged - in the “Billing” section within your student account.
At this time, we don't offer any family discounts, as we'll still need to create an individual lesson schedule for each student. However, if you book the lessons consecutively, you'll only be charged one travel fee for in-home lessons, instead of one fee per lesson.
We don't offer a free trial lesson, but we're so confident that you'll love your lessons that we offer new customers a 100% Money Back Guarantee! If you take your first lesson and decide that you don't want to continue, we will happily refund the amount you paid INCLUDING the lesson you've already taken. To request the Money Back Guarantee, simply email us within 72 hours of your first lesson and we'll take care of the rest.
At this time, we accept payments via Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. You also have the option to pay with a debit card.
We do not accept payment via cash, check or money order.
In order to reserve your time slot, we require payment at the time of booking, which must be at least 7 days before your first lesson takes place.
TakeLessons Policies
Most instructors are flexible when it comes to rescheduling lessons. If you need to reschedule, please notify your instructor at least 24 hours in advance. You can request a reschedule within your student account, or contact your instructor directly. Reschedule requests are subject to studio and instructor availability and policies.
Yes, you can change the details of your lessons at any time, provided it's within your teacher's availability. You can request reschedules and cancel upcoming lessons in the “Schedule” tab within your student account. Just be sure to give at least a 24-hour notice prior to the lesson you want changed to ensure communication to all parties!
At TakeLessons, you're not bound by any long-term commitments and you can cancel anytime.
Our 100% Money Back Guarantee protects new students, so your first lesson is risk-free. If you aren't satisfied, simply email us within 72 hours after your first lesson. We'll either find another instructor to suit your needs or refund your entire lesson purchase (including the first lesson).
For existing students, you must give us notice of cancellation before your billing date in order to stop lessons for your next term. For specific information about the billing date associated with your lesson plan, please refer to your Student Agreement or check the “Billing” tab within your online student account.
Please note:We do not offer refunds on lessons that have already been billed. If you're not able to physically take the remaining lessons as scheduled, you have the option of saving them for later, giving them to a friend, or placing the credits on a gift card, which will never expire.
Students are welcome to switch instruments, lesson types or teachers at any point. Simply email us and we'll work with you to transition your paid lessons and student account.
In order to give your instructor enough time to prepare, we schedule all lessons at least 7 days from the time of booking.
We typically recommend that you take one lesson per week. However, we do give you the flexibility of learning at your own pace, so the number of lessons you take each month is completely up to you.