Are Online Piano Lessons As Good As In-Person Lessons?
- mamaxwell9
- Apr 14, 2021
- 2 min read
Short answer: Yes! Longer answer? Well, it depends.
For most people, online music lessons offer such convenience. There's no waiting in traffic, no need to wear masks and deal with foggy glasses, no adjustment to an instrument that isn't yours. Busy adults tend to really benefit from this style of lesson.
Where it can be a bit tricky is with really young beginners trying to start Suzuki lessons. Distractions abound in in-home lessons. Dogs are barking, people are talking, the TV is going, and not only is it hard to practice through all of that noise, it's especially difficult to stay focused enough to learn something new.
Something that really helps is if an adult in the household can help demonstrate some of the techniques in person during the lesson. Very young beginners really need to be shown rather than told. However, once children reach about 7 or 8, traditional classical lessons are essentially the same online as in person.
When the world changed in 2020, music teachers everywhere found themselves having to shift their focus to teaching music online. At first it was definitely tricky, with setup, lighting, and sound issues. Personally, it took me a few weeks to adjust to the "new normal" but overall has made me a better listener and much better at explaining what I mean, since the shortcuts of pointing to things and demonstrating has been changed quite a bit.
As a result of so many activities shifting to online, I've noticed a huge influx of new online piano students, and I am absolutely thrilled that I'm able to reach people from all over the country and share the joy of music together!
I wanted to share this video of one of my students, Gavin, who started in-person piano lessons in October of 2019. We had a few months of in-person Suzuki lessons, before the shutdowns happened. He has continued online piano lessons since then and I am so proud of his work. He is now reading music quite well on his own and is progressing quite nicely through Suzuki Book 2. Here he is performing a very famous Minuet in G Major that you'll probably recognize.
It’s fascinating to see how the shift to online learning has matured since 2020. I completely agree with your observation that while adults thrive on the convenience of remote sessions, younger beginners really benefit from that "hands-on" guidance at home. For students who are bridging the gap between traditional Suzuki methods and digital play, finding engaging material is key to maintaining interest. I’ve found that using Roblox Piano Sheets is a fantastic way to keep younger learners excited, as it lets them practice their rhythm and finger placement using songs they already know and love from their favorite games. It’s a great supplement to formal lessons!
I really resonated with your point about very young beginners needing in-person demonstration, and how crucial it is for an adult in the household to help demonstrate techniques. It highlights that while convenience is key for many, foundational learning often benefits from that immediate, physical interaction, especially before a certain age. This brings up a common question for parents and adult learners alike: once you're convinced online lessons are viable, how do you navigate the many options to find a program that truly fits your learning style and goals? For anyone looking to dive deeper into that, exploring online piano learning options can provide a great starting point.
If you're looking for a convenient way to play piano online for free, whether for practice when you're away from your instrument or just for fun, virtual piano keyboards are a great resource. They often come with realistic sounds and can be surprisingly responsive. It's a handy tool for composers to quickly try out melodies, for students to practice scales or chords, or for anyone who just wants to make some music without any setup. Some platforms even offer features like recording, different instrument sounds, and integration with online lessons, making for a well-rounded experience.