Frequently Asked Questions about Online Piano Lessons
If you're considering online piano lessons for your child, you may have a lot of questions. Online music education has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility, accessibility, and effectiveness. Video conferencing technology makes this easier than ever. In this blog post, I'll answer some of the most common questions about online piano lessons to help you make an informed decision.
1. How do online piano lessons work?
Online piano lessons are typically conducted via video conferencing platforms like Zoom, where the student and teacher interact in real-time. The lessons usually involve direct instruction, feedback, and music practice assignments. In addition to the lesson itself, students might receive digital sheet music, practice videos, or even customized games to help reinforce what was learned.
Many online music teachers use a combination of tools to keep lessons engaging, including virtual whiteboards, video demonstrations, and interactive music programs (like Midiculous for piano visualization). For example, I use multiple camera angles to show both sheet music and hand positioning for a more comprehensive learning experience. I play board games using multiple camera angles or screen sharing.
I’ve been able to incorporate all the activities I used to do in person to my online piano lessons. This includes duets! If there is a big lag in the sound, I play my part with a steady tempo so the student can play along. If the student has a cell phone available, we can put the Zoom call on mute, connect via phone, and play in real time, which would allow me to adjust to the student’s playing if they are still struggling with rhythm. I’ve noticed that lag times are almost nonexistent in most of my calls these days, a big improvement since I started teaching online in 2020!
2. Do I need to have any prior experience to take online piano lessons?
Absolutely not! Online piano lessons are suitable for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students. Teachers generally tailor their lessons to the student’s current level. For example, if you're a beginner, lessons will focus on understanding the basics like note reading, finger placement, and rhythm.
Even if you're an advanced student, online lessons can offer a space to refine techniques, learn new repertoire, or explore more advanced concepts in music theory. Every student progresses at their own pace, and the flexibility of online lessons means we can go over any concepts you may need extra help with.
I’ve successfully had online piano lessons with children as young as 4 but I recommend age 5 or above for most students. Younger students may need help with things like changing the audio settings at the beginning of the lesson or turning pages in their music book, so I ask that parents stay nearby. But you could be scrolling on your phone or making dinner while your child learns music! (Sure beats driving in after school traffic, sitting at a piano studio for 30 minutes, and driving home again. And did you remember to bring all their music books?)
3. What equipment do I need for online lessons?
All you need is a piano (acoustic or digital), a device with a camera and microphone (laptop, tablet, or phone), and a stable internet connection. Teachers may also recommend certain apps or programs to enhance learning, such as music flashcard or ear-training apps. Headphones, microphones, or webcams can improve the experience but are not necessary.
It's also a good idea to make sure your space is well-lit so your teacher can easily see your hands while you play.
A quiet environment is important to avoid distractions during music lessons at home. Younger siblings are generally very curious and will try to watch over their sibling’s shoulder during the lesson.
I’ve always taught using sheet music and ask my students to have a pencil ready at the piano. This works great for online piano lessons as well!. Sometimes I also share music to the student’s screen and have them use annotation tools.
4. What are the benefits of online piano lessons compared to in-person lessons?
There are several benefits of taking online piano lessons:
Flexibility: You can schedule lessons at times that work best for you without the hassle of commuting.
Germ-free learning: I’ve had a student sneeze on me during a lesson. More than once! Even after washing hands and wiping down the keys, this means I could spread those germs to every other student I see all week. For students and teachers with chronic illness (like me!) remote music lessons are crucial to well-being.
Music books live on your piano: Growing up, my brothers and I were always “forgetting” to pack our theory books, “forgetting” to take music to our lessons, leaving the books in the car after the lesson, and wrecking our books by hauling them around. Online piano lessons makes this a non-issue!
Comfort: You can take your lessons from the comfort of your own home, in a space where you feel relaxed and ready to learn.
Access to Teachers Worldwide: You’re not limited to teachers in your local area, allowing you to choose a teacher who aligns with your learning style. Instead of searching for piano teachers near me, you can search for piano teachers in New York, piano teachers in London, or piano teachers in Nashville!
Technology Integration: Online teachers often use innovative tools like interactive games, screen sharing, and digital resources to make lessons more engaging. I teach my students how to use programs like GarageBand, and I make personalized challenges for them on musictheory.net.
Asynchronous support: This year I have added the PracticeSpace app for all my students, so we can share videos and assignments, as well as documenting practice times. Students can ask me questions at any time between lessons, or they can check audio or video files of the music they are learning. I also have 4 asynchronous lessons assigned throughout the year.
5. How do I keep my child engaged during an online piano lesson?
Keeping children engaged in a music lesson from home can be tricky, but many teachers use games, visual aids, and creative activities to maintain interest. For younger students, interactive activities such as rhythm clapping games, brain breaks, music-based puzzles, or improvisation sessions can make lessons feel more like play.
As a teacher, I use playful activities and short, easy-to-follow demonstrations to keep my students entertained. Additionally, I create and share visual aids to enhance learning. I try to move to a new song or activity every few minutes, so we do 4-5 activities in a 30 minute lesson.
6. How often should I take online piano lessons?
I recommend weekly lessons, as consistent practice and learning are crucial for improvement. Piano skills take many years to develop so it’s best to have a consistent schedule.I include Winter holiday, summer, and spring breaks in my teaching calendar for a healthy balance.
It's also important to establish a good practice routine outside of lessons. Even if you’re taking weekly lessons, daily practice makes a huge difference in your progress.
7. How can I track my progress during online lessons?
I use the PracticeSpace app for all my online piano students. This makes tracking your progress during online piano lessons easy, because it keeps a record of lesson notes and assignments. You can also share videos with me, and I can send personalized piano tutorials too.
8. How do I know if online lessons are right for me?
Online piano lessons are a great fit for most people! They offer the flexibility of scheduling, the comfort of home, and often have a wide variety of teaching methods and resources that can cater to different learning styles. For example, for those who struggle with sheet music I can make piano tutorials that light up the keys as I play for visual learners, and save them to their assignment in PracticeSpace. That’s something that’s not possible in a traditional, low tech piano lesson.
Top tier teachers all around the world are making the switch from in-person to online lessons, because it improves their work-life balance, prevents spreading disease, and students still make amazing progress when they practice. It also eliminates the need for renting an expensive studio space or having a parade of students through your home and neighborhood week after week.
Try a free trial lesson to see if online lessons are right for you or your child! This is a great way to gauge the experience and decide if it works with your learning preferences. Contact me to set up a trial lesson.
9. What if I need to cancel or reschedule a lesson?
Life happens! I offer asynchronous video lessons when a student cannot make their scheduled lesson time. I ask that they send me a video through PracticeSpace of their completed piano assignments. Then I use their lesson time to watch their assignment and create a personalized teaching video, showing the next steps I want them to take. I create their next assignment in PracticeSpace so they know exactly what to practice.
Asynchronous lessons make the student responsible for their own learning. Recording forces them to hear the music as they are really playing it, and they can see their own posture and hand position in the videos they make. Students who submit asynchronous assignments to me show better progress than those who just skip them.
