Are Online Piano Lessons Worth It?

We are living in a surreal world right now with societal behaviors projected to change for at least the rest of 2020. Thanks to COVID-19 many music teachers have migrated to remote piano lessons. It is understandable to be hesitant and you might be wondering whether it will be like regular lessons, what to expect, is it even possible online lessons will be as good as in person lessons among many other questions. These are all valid concerns so here are a few answers.

Are online piano lessons just as good as in person lessons?

Online piano lessons are just as good as in person lessons and in fact they make music lessons more accessible to the wider public. Once upon a time you could only look for local piano teachers but now with the availability of remote lessons you can book a piano lesson with that famous professor or popular teacher from the other side of the world. You also cut down the hassle of travel time and are able to play in the comfort of your own home, your own instrument and on your own schedule. I had the chance to have piano lessons with some fantastic professors from the likes of Colburn, Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music before I went to audition for music schools all through the power of Skype. I’ve also played in long distance remote masterclasses at a professional studio which was a fantastic experience and incredibly easy to navigate. Nonetheless all my experiences were streamlined and an incredibly easy process. Not only was it a great tool to gauge my connection with the teachers but I was able to learn from them without having to travel all the way from Australia to the US. Online lessons still have structure and is identical to an in person lesson provided both teacher and student have a stable wifi connection as well as a good camera setup from a tablet, phone or laptop. Think about it! What better way to manage stressful circumstances than through the power of making music. It is important to have an artistic and expressive outlet to remedy our anxieties and mental health during these uncertain times!

What about homework and how can teachers teach without seeing the hands?

The process of weekly assignments is actually easier through online lessons. As a teacher myself, I use a cloud based platform such as Notion which allows me to organize and assign specific pages to every student with their individual notes, checklists, score links and homework. I like to share them directly or email the details to my students at the end of every lesson. Hands are certainly seen, it is suggested to set up your phone, tablet or laptop on top of a table or tripod with a clear view of them from above or on the side. Here are some examples of my own students with a fantastic set up:

What platforms would we use for online lessons?

With a plethora of options, the most convenient and easy to use platforms include:

Zoom

A newcomer on the scene that has exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom is a great platform with the ability to record video chats which is fantastic to review previous lessons.

Skype

Skype looks and sounds as good as you can get from IP communication, although Apple's FaceTime usually looks better. Skype is great due to it’s flexibility and not being limited to Apple products.

Facetime

Not only is it easy to set up and use, Facetime also offers some of the cleanest video and audio quality. For Apple users this would be the go-to.

Google Hangouts

Another staple, easy to use and organize within the whole google cloud. Video and audio quality matches Skype.

Why should we have lessons when everything is uncertain?

This is a fair and reasonable question. When times are uncertain, it is paramount to keep a routine to help calm our anxieties. Keeping that routine can help us feel more in control of everything and can aid our mental health. It can help us to cope with change, form healthy habits and reduce stress levels. This is especially true for children in particular to feel safe. A regular routine of weekly lessons and daily practice will be a big tool in helping anyone manage their uncertainties. Daily practice can occupy our minds and give a set of goals to strive for as well as see improvement to boost our morals.

You have more time to practice now than ever before!

With restrictions, lockdowns and bans in place - now is one of the best times for everyone to start a new hobby and make music with the piano. Consider picking it up to feed your soul and give you some mental clarity from all the noise in the world right now!

Hope.

I hope this article has helped answer some concerning questions regarding online piano lessons. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this, especially to my fellow musicians who have all been hit hard. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, we will all pull through. Stay strong.