How Music Education Can Happen Online
By: Hannah Haefele
Tags: Online Education, Music Education, Music Classes, Teachers, Education

How Music Education Can Happen Online

Photo by Larisa Birta on Unsplash

Music is one of those things that benefits significantly from in-person contact. So when the world shut down in March 2020, a lot of musicians had questions about continuing lessons and other activities.

Rightfully so, because most lessons and rehearsals had always been in-person. Of course, some musicians already offered online lessons. But for most of us, it was a big change.

At this point, we all know that music education can happen online. The question now is if it should be online and if certain student may benefit from studying music online.

Some students live in rural areas, so the internet is their access to the world. And teaching online gives musicians more flexibility in where they live.

If you’re going to teach or study music online, you need the right tools. Whether you’re doing so out of necessity or choice, the right tools can help make music lessons more productive and enjoyable for the teacher and student.

Apps and Programs

Here area few apps you should have to teacher and learn music online.

Video Chat Software

Zoo has become probably the most popular choice for video chat. But there’s also Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime. Even Facebook Messenger has a video chat feature.

A good video chat program is essential for live lessons. That way, the teacher and student can see each other and hear each other.

You can still teach students to play an instrument, and you can see what they’re doing. While it’s not as good as in-person lessons, it does give you the chance to work with someone one-on-one.

Screen Sharing

Tools like Zoom let you share your screen with your students. That can come in handy if you need to point out a specific part in the music your student is working on.

You can also share online resources for metronomes, tuners, and sheet music. Then, your student can see what you see like they were in the same room.

If your chosen video chat program doesn’t support screen sharing, you can use a tablet and hold it to the camera for a similar effect. You can also use email or set up a shared Google Doc to send links and notes back and forth.

Email

Of course, you need email to communicate with people online. You can use email to send invoices for lesson payments, and you can also send lesson reminders.

If you or a student needs to cancel, email is a good way to notify the other person. You don’t have to worry about giving out your personal phone number and potentially subjecting yourself to calls and texts late at night.

Your email can have a professional signature, and you can connect it to your website. That can look even more professional to potential students.

Equipment to Use

While the right software is great, you also need some hardware. Here are a few things you and your students should have for online music lessons.

Computer/Tablet/Phone

You both need a device to use for lessons. A computer is the best option because it has a big screen to see the other person. You also don’t need to worry about a stand to prop up a computer like with a tablet or phone.

Your phone can also use a lot of battery after a lesson or two. A tablet can be a nice option, but you’ll need a tablet stand so that it can sit up.

As long as you and your student can see each other, the device you use doesn’t matter. But it does need to have video and audio capabilities for lessons to work.

External Mic

While not necessary, you should consider getting an external microphone. That will usually have better sound quality than your computer’s internal mic.

You can look for a USB mic that connects directly to your computer. When you need to demonstrate an exercise, your students will be able to hear more more clearly.

If your students have the money, they can get an external mic. But I don’t think it’s a huge deal if they can’t afford one of don’t want one.

Environmental Tips

The right equipment helps, but the wrong environment can make that all go out the window. You and your students need good environments for lessons.

Access to Instrument and Music

Of course, you can’t have a successful lesson without your instrument and the music your students are studying. They’ll also need a good instrument and a copy of the music they’re playing.

If necessary, you can copy the music and email your students. But if you’re working out of a book, it will be easier for them to buy the book.

Instruments should be in good condition, especially since you can’t physically check a student’s instrument for leaks or other problems. You may also want to research some instrument technicians around the country so that you can recommend someone near your students.

Quiet and Distraction-Free

If you or your students have to have lessons in the kitchen or living room, it can get noisy. You should make sure that it will be quiet wherever you choose to do lessons.

A bedroom or home office is ideal. But a living room can suffice if other family members know to be in another room or out of the house.

You should also make sure your pets aren’t around because they can cause noise.

And similar to noise, your teaching or learning space shouldn’t have other distractions. If you like a clean space, make sure you tidy up the area before you start lessons.

Students may also be distracted by toys and other items. If they get distracted, ask them to put the toys away during their lesson.

Parents?

Some students, especially younger ones, are more easily distracted. They also don’t have the longest attention spans. If a student can’t stay focused, consider asking one of their parents to sit in on the lessons.

A parent can provide a physical block to distractions, and they can calm their child if the student starts getting upset. You can only do so much through a screen. If a parent isn’t available, you can ask if an older sibling can be around to make sure your student pays attention. Some siblings may not want to do that, but it’s another option.

Now, you don’t have to always require a parent, but it helps if you notice a student may need some in-person help. And if that doesn’t work, you may want to move them to in-person lessons if possible.

Can Music Education Happen Online?

Music education can happen online. But teachers and students need the right hardware, software, and environment. The right mindset helps too.

Even after the pandemic ends, online lessons can help students in rural areas or single parent households. Online lessons don’t require travel time, so they can also be useful during major storms.

Whether you prefer online or in-person lessons, 2020 has taught us that online music is possible and can be successful. You just have to adapt to the circumstances.