I get it. We are all still recovering from an overload of forced, online interaction. The idea of learning anything virtually brings back highly stressful memories. Working from home, setting up tech, navigating WiFi issues, and attending bad Zoom meetings contributed to an overall feeling of frustration. However, as a piano teacher who successfully taught virtually for years before COVID, I would like to share why I feel strongly that learning piano online is an option you should consider.
It frees up your time and energy: Parents have FOMO for their kids, so they want to make up for lost time. The drive to be sure their children experience multiple, in-person activities is powerful, since parents want their kids to have growth opportunities and brain development that may have been missed. However, that drive leads to a lot of driving. In traffic. After a long work day. Online piano lessons can be done on an alternate day from other activities. You can be home, but your child can still enjoy learning music.
It’s less overwhelming, but highly engaging. Especially for younger, neurodivergent, or more introverted kids (or adults), they may be interested in learning an instrument, but are socially overloaded after an entire day of interaction. Learning and interacting with a teacher - via a screen - can give students the benefits of learning a musical instrument, without the increased energy needed for an in-person lesson. You can control their learning environment, and they have their own space.
The technology has improved. When I began teaching online, it was FaceTime or Skype plus a few webcams, which weren’t even HD. Then I changed platforms and upgraded my audio and video. My students and I appreciate the interactive tools and whiteboard. As long as both teacher and students keep their technology and apps up-to-date, the sound and video quality is excellent.
Remember, online lessons are more than the technology; it’s how the teacher leverages the technology. So if you are considering online lessons and screening a teacher, here are some questions to ask:
How long have you been teaching online? Do you enjoy teaching online?
What online platform do you use? Do you invest in high quality audio and video equipment? Do you have multiple camera angles, and are they simultaneous?
What type of technical support do you provide for students?
Do you use extra tools to share a screen and mark up a music score to help with note reading, music theory, and chords?
Are your online lessons live or pre-recorded?
Can students access lesson “clips” or recordings for support in-between lessons?
Do you offer a hybrid option (alternating in-person and online)?
Many of these questions could also be asked of an in-person teacher. Unexpected events, illness, and even extended travel should not be barriers to a quality music lesson. If an online option is offered, it should be done well.
In the last 10+ years, attitudes toward online piano teaching have come full circle. At first, there was a lot of skepticism. Then, parents requested online lessons because it was a convenient option. Now, post-COVID, it’s back to skepticism, no doubt due to some bad (maybe even traumatic) experiences. But to be fair, the entire world was forced to pivot online, with virtually (pun intended) no preparation or training. However, with an experienced piano teacher who has the right skills and equipment, online lessons continue to be an option worth considering.