Online Music Lessons: Pros & Cons
By Bianca Jazmine
Music is a vital part of our lives. It moves us emotionally, but also stimulates the brain when learning. For those that love to learn music, these turbulent times have made people of all ages reconsider attending their music lessons in-person. In our current world of Zoom birthday parties and working from home, many are switching to virtual lessons.
Music online seems a bit intimidating for some. How can one truly learn through a phone call? The truth is, it is totally possible, and offers a range of pros and cons compared to studio lessons.
ONLINE LESSONS: PROS
Virtual classrooms are becoming the new norm. The first benefit is the ability to be in the comfort of your own home. Being in a familiar and safe environment can help students focus better and calm their nerves. Students can also enjoy a more flexible schedule, without the worry of commuting to class (environmental bonus!). Virtual learning increases self-discipline and time management as you practice at your own pace. And for those that are anti-tech, computer skills can aid one’s ability to keep up in our quickly developing society. The best part is that all of these extra skills come with the same high quality education you were receiving in-person.
ONLINE LESSONS: CONS
Although online lessons offer access to a whole new skill set, many still raise an eyebrow at the thought that virtual school could still be enriching. Teachers and students playing music simultaneously becomes a challenge in the virtual classroom. Over the lagging of a call, it is near impossible to perform a duet, so participants must play one at a time. The ability to duet is not a make-or-break for learning, but it is a feature some students enjoy. Connection issues can also become a concern. If someone’s Wi-Fi quits mid-lesson, it could lead to many frustrating minutes of troubleshooting, or simply praying the connection resurfaces.
CONCLUSION
In a rapidly shifting world, the fate of one’s music education is in the hands of embracing modern change. In the online music classroom, one gains self-control of their environment and skills, while still maintaining the personability and enrichment of music lessons. Continuing to grow and follow your passion in the face of these stressful times can be the one thing that keeps us going. Thanks to technology, students may continue to march to the beat of their own drum.
