Tips for Online Music Lessons

Tips for Taking and Having Successful Online Music Lessons

As more and more people who want to learn music turn to online learning and prerecorded video lessons, live online music lessons have also become increasingly accessible and popular among music students of all ages and levels. While virtual lessons offer convenience, flexibility and typically offer better pricing than in-person music schools, they also present unique challenges that can impact the quality of the lesson. To ensure a successful experience, here are some tips to keep in mind as you get started.

Find a quiet space

Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment for your lesson — this is one of the most important requirements that will help students have a successful learning experience. Even if it’s not possible to find the perfect environment, try to coordinate with your family members and housemates to ensure that during your lesson time the activity and noise levels around you will be at a minimum. If the lesson is for your child, then it is especially important with live music lessons for kids that the child is able to focus in a distraction-free environment. Close any open windows or applications on your device that may interfere with the audio or video quality or distract you during the lesson.

Prepare your setup

Before your lesson begins, make sure your devices are up to date and working properly. This includes your desktop and mobile device(s) (computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone), internet connection, and any necessary firmware, software or applications. Test your audio and video settings ahead of time to ensure they are working correctly. Whether you want to learn how to play piano, guitar, drums, violin, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, trumpet, ukulele, dulcimer, banjo or any other instrument, it is important that you have a working setup that makes you feel confident.

Upgrade and tweak your setup

If you are taking piano lessons, guitar lessons, drum lessons, violin lessons or any other type of lessons where it is possible to get an electronic or MIDI version of the instrument, then it is worth it to purchase one if you haven’t already. This will enable you to connect it directly to your computer which can provide a much clearer and higher level of audio quality to your teacher. You may also need to purchase a standalone audio interface as well, depending on whether your electronic instrument has one built in or not.

However, if you are taking voice lessons or play an instrument that does not have an electronic or MIDI version, such as mandolin or oboe, or you just don’t have the luxury of purchasing any new gear at the moment, then using an acoustic instrument is still totally fine — as long as the platform you are taking lessons on has high-quality audio that is designed for music, and not just using a service like Zoom or Skype that are not optimized for music and will filter it out by default.

Use headphones

Use a headset or headphones to minimize background noise; this will improve the quality of your online classes and provide the best overall experience for both you and your instructor. Although echo cancellation is a standard feature in videoconferencing, it still does not always work 100% of the time. By using a headset or headphones, you will also be ensuring that neither you nor your teacher will experience any echo-related issues. As a student, you always want to make sure that your instructor can hear you clearly so they can provide the best instruction and feedback possible.

Be punctual

Just like in-person lessons, it’s important to be on time for your virtual lesson. If you are running late, notify your teacher in advance. If you need to adjust your schedule or cancel, be sure you are aware of your teacher’s rescheduling and cancellation policies and let them know in plenty of time to avoid having to pay for any missed lesson. If you are someone with a hectic schedule that is often changing, you’ll want to find a teacher that you know is flexible.

Come prepared

Make sure you have all the necessary materials for your lesson, including your instrument, music books, and any notes or assignments from your previous lesson. This will help you make the most of your lesson time. If you’re not sure what you need to have, contact your instructor and they can let you know what materials are required for new students for their first lesson. Also, a good teacher will personalize your curriculum with a variety of music and supplementary materials, so if they assign you something new and you’re not sure where to get it, be sure to ask them where to find it.

Communicate with your teacher

Communication is key in any successful music lesson, especially online. Let your teacher know if you are having trouble hearing or seeing them, or if you need them to repeat a concept or technique. Also, just as with in-person private music lessons, make sure to communicate your needs and goals and get in touch with them in between lessons if you have any other questions about the material you are working on.

Take breaks

Sitting in front of a screen for an extended period of time can be tiring. A good instructor should always be understanding of their student’s needs, so let them know if you’d like to take a short break during your lesson to stretch, move around, or grab a drink of water.

Practice, practice, practice

To make regular weekly progress in your musical journey, it’s important to practice consistently outside of your lessons. Even the best musicians need to follow a regular practice routine and your teacher can provide guidance on what to practice and how to approach it. If you have kids who are studying music, try to keep track of your child’s practice time and encourage them as much as possible.

Be patient

Online lessons may have a different feel compared to in-person music education and becoming a master musician won’t happen overnight, but with patience and persistence, you will be able to notice improvement in your music skills and can achieve your musical goals. Studying music is a fun and rewarding experience, so be sure to reach out to your teacher if you’re not enjoying your curriculum and want to change it up.

Conclusion

Taking one-on-one music lessons online offers flexibility and convenience for students, but they require a certain level of preparation and dedication to make them successful. By following these tips, you can get the most out of your experience and continue to improve your musical skills as you learn music online.

If you are ready to take music lessons, you can begin by browsing many courses and qualified music teachers here.