TakeLessons Shut Down — Where to Find Music Teachers Now

TakeLessons has shut down as a standalone platform. If you were a student or teacher on TakeLessons and are looking for what comes next, this article covers what happened, what to look for in a replacement, and the best options available today.

What Happened to TakeLessons?

TakeLessons was one of the original online music lesson marketplaces, connecting students with teachers for private lessons in music, language, and academics. In 2021, the company was acquired by Thumbtack — a home services platform. Over the following years, TakeLessons was gradually wound down as a dedicated music platform, with its marketplace functionality ceasing to operate for music lessons.

Teachers who had built their student base on TakeLessons found themselves without a platform. Students lost access to their teachers’ profiles and booking systems. Many in the music education community saw it as the end of an era for one of the space’s early players.

What to Look for in a TakeLessons Alternative

Not all music lesson platforms are the same. As you evaluate alternatives, here’s what matters:

Teacher vetting

TakeLessons allowed teachers to self-list with minimal screening. The best alternatives vet teachers before they can take students — checking credentials, conducting interviews, and reviewing teaching history. This directly affects lesson quality.

Music-specific platform vs. general tutoring

Some alternatives are general tutoring platforms that also happen to offer music. Others are built specifically for music education. Music-specific platforms tend to have deeper teacher quality controls, better instrument variety, and tools designed for how music lessons actually work.

One-on-one, ongoing lessons

There’s a significant difference between platforms built for one-off lesson bookings and those designed for ongoing student-teacher relationships. Research shows that consistent long-term instruction with the same teacher produces better musical outcomes. Look for platforms that prioritize relationship continuity, not just transaction volume.

Trial lessons

A trial lesson at a reduced rate is standard among reputable platforms. It lets you experience a teacher’s style before committing to regular lessons — a feature that matters a lot when fit and rapport drive results.

Find a Teacher on Tunelark

The Best TakeLessons Alternatives

Tunelark

Tunelark is a dedicated online music lesson marketplace with vetted teachers across 40+ instruments — piano, guitar, voice, violin, flute, saxophone, and more. Every teacher on Tunelark is screened before working with students. The platform is built around long-term student-teacher relationships, consistent scheduling, and transparent pricing.

Trial lessons are available at a reduced rate, and students can browse teacher profiles with bios, intro videos, and specialties before booking.

Lessonface

Lessonface is a well-established online music lesson platform with a large roster of teachers. It operates more as an open marketplace than a curated one, so teacher quality varies more widely. Worth considering if you want a large selection to browse through.

Local independent teachers

Many experienced music teachers operate independently, taking students through their own website or word of mouth. Google searches for “[instrument] teacher online” often surface independent instructors who aren’t on any platform. The trade-off: no vetting, no trial lesson guarantee, and no booking infrastructure.

How to Find Your Old TakeLessons Teacher

If you had a teacher on TakeLessons you were happy with, it’s worth trying to reconnect before starting fresh. Most teachers have moved their teaching to another platform or are taking students independently. Try:

• Googling their name + “music teacher” or “online [instrument] lessons”
• Searching LinkedIn — most professional teachers have a profile
• Checking other platforms (Lessonface, Tunelark) to see if they’ve listed there
• Reaching out via social media if you had any previous contact

Many teachers were able to bring their existing students along when they moved platforms. It’s always worth asking.

Starting Fresh: What to Expect

If you’re starting with a new teacher on a new platform, the process is straightforward. On Tunelark, you browse teacher profiles by instrument, read bios, watch intro videos, and book a trial lesson at a reduced rate. The trial is a real lesson — not a sales call — and lets you assess fit before committing to regular lessons.

Most students find a good match within one or two trials. The combination of teacher profiles, intro videos, and a low-stakes first lesson makes it easy to find someone whose style works for you.

Browse Teachers by Instrument

Frequently Asked Questions

Did TakeLessons shut down?

Yes. TakeLessons was acquired by Thumbtack and wound down as a standalone platform. The TakeLessons website and marketplace are no longer operating as they were.

Where can I find music teachers now that TakeLessons is gone?

Tunelark, Lessonface, and Preply are among the platforms still operating dedicated online music lesson marketplaces. Tunelark specializes exclusively in music, with vetted teachers across 40+ instruments.

Is Tunelark a good TakeLessons alternative?

Tunelark is built specifically for music lessons — every teacher is vetted, lessons are one-on-one, and the platform is designed around long-term student-teacher relationships rather than one-off bookings.

What happened to my TakeLessons teacher?

Many teachers who listed on TakeLessons have moved to other platforms. If you had a teacher you liked, searching for them by name on Google or LinkedIn is the fastest way to find where they’re teaching now.