Virtual Piano Lessons

Welcome To Virtual Lessons!

The need for creative music making and further learning never stops, even for an incurable virus.  As of March 2020, all piano lessons have moved to an online format and my students have thrived!   

we've discovered many benefits of online lessons!

  • Students are becoming much more independent and have practiced assignments faithfully.
  • Students are becoming more self-aware of what is on the page of music.
  • The student’s inner ear is being better developed as they need to listen to their playing.  I ask them to critique their own playing by listening to it.  
  • We’re discovering new joy in learning to do improvisation and composition! 
  • Students remember notes about individual songs because they write on their score themselves.  Copying the notes themselves is an important tool for learning.
  • Lesson assignments can’t be lost since they are on a computer.  I email weekly assignments.
  • Lessons can be recorded at request of parents for further review.  
  • Students are not hampered by minor colds or other illnesses; they can still take a regular online lesson if not feeling 100%.
  • Parents are becoming more hands-on and are learning/reviewing piano themselves!
  • Students are playing in the comfort of their own home, on their own instrument that they practice on.
  • No commute!  
  • No more sharing ‘regular’ colds and flu bugs in the studio! 

VIRTUAL LESSONS ARE CONDUCTED VIA SKYPE

Steps for Setting Up Skype Lessons

  1. Download Skype.  It’s free.
  2. Create a Skype account.  It’s also free.
  3. Test your video.  Open Skype on your computer, sign in, go to “Preferences” and select “Audio/Video” to make sure that your equipment is working.  If you’ve never used Skype before, try a video call with a friend or family member to see what it’s like. 
  4. Add me to your Skype account.  Please use this email: [email protected]

Tips for a successful virtual lesson

  1. You can use a laptop, tablet, or phone.  Make sure it is fully charged before your lesson or plugged into a power source.
  2. To find the right position for the camera you might need to experiment a bit. It’s good to have a side view of the student, with a view of the keyboard in line.  A laptop or mobile device needs to be at a good height and this can be done through the use of tables, books, etc.
  3. Lighting: it helps to have it behind the camera source.  Sunlight can be too bright and curtains/blinds may need to be shut.
  4. Have all books ready at the piano.  Please have a pencil and highlighter handy, too.
  5. Please have Skype open 5 minutes before your lesson is supposed to start.  This helps me maintain my schedule when I have back-to-back lessons.