Do Online Lessons Work?

As a private music instructor since 2010, I frequently am asked about online music lessons. Many people wonder if you can have a quality experience and learn this way, or if face-to-face is the only way to go. Though I still love teaching face-to-face, I have been surprised by how good of an experience one can have online. I would sum it up this way:

The right teacher online is better than the wrong teacher face-to-face.

There are also some advantages:

Convenience

Taking lessons online is convenient. You don't have to commute to a studio, carry your instrument in, complete your lesson, and commute home.  

Comfort

Taking lessons online is comfortable. You can be wherever you want. Choose a space in your own home, or anywhere else. When I first started teaching and didn't have my own space, I worked at a local music school and also drove to some students’ homes. I noticed students were more comfortable in their own homes. Being in their own space did something to put them at ease, and this made a big difference in their learning.

The comfort of your own home!

Efficiency

Taking lessons online is efficient. There is no travel time. There is no need to pack and unpack your gear. There is no need to wait in a waiting room with other students/parents. When I teach online, I can end a lesson, leave my studio, and eat dinner with my wife in the next room. We both love it! My students love this too. I have a student who does yoga right before our lesson. She finishes her workout, grabs her cello, and is ready to go. If you value your time, this can be a great way to learn music.

In the Summer of 2019, I moved from a large city where I had built a studio of seventy students to a smaller city where I had no connections. Over the last ten months, I have gained some local students, but being able to teach online has been a game-changer for my business. I had one student decide to continue lessons after she moved overseas. It has been a practical way to stay connected. Since moving, I have gained online students in four different time zones!

Teaching online has made me a better teacher. I have to be more precise in my language. I can’t simply adjust a student’s hand position, for example. Instead, I must clearly articulate my instructions.

When the COVID-19 pandemic of Spring 2020 forced schools and businesses to shut down, I had to move all of my students online, including the ones I usually teach face-to-face. It has been a pretty smooth transition, and my previous experience teaching online was hugely beneficial. 

So are you looking to start a new hobby? Are you a professional working remotely anyway? Are you a parent who wants to make your child’s education as convenient as possible? Then online lessons may be for you.