Online piano lessons versus in-person piano lessons

Technology and online platforms such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and GoMeeting have advanced dramatically in recent years. As a result, deciding between in-person and online piano classes has become difficult. Both solutions have advantages and disadvantages, thus I suppose it is absolutely up to you. Because the quality of your piano lessons will not be compromised by the use of a screen, you can choose your decision based on your lifestyle and preferences.

We did not have such a luxury a few years ago, therefore it is worthwhile to explore the new opportunities that the modern world has to offer.

Why Choosing Online Piano Lessons Over In-Person Lessons

There are clearly some benefits to attending your piano lessons through Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or GoMeeting.

You don’t have to commute – I think this is a significant plus for our modern lifestyles. With the advancement of online shopping and rapid delivery, an increasing number of people are avoiding commuting until absolutely essential. It is true that travelling on a packed tube or wasting valuable time in traffic is not particularly pleasant. I don’t blame you because I constantly avoid driving if products can be delivered to my door or services can be provided at my home.

You can take your piano lessons on your own piano — what a unique opportunity! Other instrumentalists are not affected by this, but as a pianist, it is quite difficult to adjust to a different piano for lessons. Throughout my studies and career as a pianist, I have frequently faced this issue. Every piano has its own personality and mechanism, making it extremely difficult to replicate a previous performance. Some keyboards are heavier than others, and a piece you learned at home may be incredibly difficult to execute on another instrument. Your use of the pedal will also have to vary according on the room you’re performing in, and your hours of practice may not always be worthwhile. On the contrary, you must make adjustments every time. Professional pianists are used to it, but imagine how intimidating it is for a beginning or intermediate pianist!

Furthermore, you may arrive to our piano lesson with cold hands and spend the first part of your lesson attempting to warm up. This is a problem I’ve had a lot. Even if I wore gloves before my piano lesson, I would struggle to perform properly for the first part of my lessons. It’s both irritating and depressing.

Prior to the emergence of the new technology, we needed to find a piano teacher who lived nearby. If you live in a big city, it’s relatively easy to locate a great teacher, but what if you live in a small town? Is there someone who has the skills and qualifications to provide you with the outstanding piano instruction you deserve? And what if he’s already fully booked?
By taking piano lessons online, you can now choose from thousands of skilled piano teachers without regard to geography. You can study with a brilliant piano teacher from New York City, London, Paris, or Sydney wherever you live in the world. There may be a time zone difference, but if you do your research, you should be able to find an outstanding piano teacher with whom you can work.

You’ll also appreciate the fact that you can warm up and revise before your online piano lesson begins, and then review the content immediately afterwards.

Why Choosing In-Person Lessons Over Online Piano Lessons

The social factor is, in my opinion, the most important reason for attending your piano lessons in person. I’ve seen people say that they don’t want to sit at the computer for their hobby since they’ve already spent all day staring at a screen at work. I absolutely understand.

I must admit that I prefer meeting people in person rather than online, and that I prefer shopping on the high street than making purchases online.

The online world is amazing because it provides us with opportunities that we did not previously have, but leaving your apartment to meet friends or attend piano lessons is fantastic. At the end of the day, people are not designed to live alone, and socialising is an important part of our lives. Even though we can now do almost everything online, we still prefer to leave our houses, walk down the street, and make face-to-face relationships.

Aside from that, online piano instruction and in-person lessons are nearly identical. We teach hundreds of students through Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or GoMeeting at The Online Piano Institute, and I don’t see much of a difference. As I previously stated, it is nicer to meet someone in person, but since the quality of the tuition is unaffected, you can choose any way.

I feel it is a personal choice, and you can learn in either direction based on your location, lifestyle, and availability.

If you decide to take online piano lessons, I recommend that you find a reputable piano instructor or piano school and not enroll in any online courses where no piano teachers are present. Watching YouTube is likewise not a viable option.

Whether you are a complete novice, an intermediate performer, or a skilled amateur pianist, I believe that receiving feedback is critical. Although I am aware that several renowned music universities provide piano courses based on a set syllabus, I believe that exchanging ideas with your piano teacher is critical to your development. Receiving feedback is crucial, and being allowed to ask questions is also an important part of the process.

I hope this article has helped you in deciding which choice is best for you. There is no need to be concerned about sound quality or delays because online platforms such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and GoMeeting provide outstanding service. As I already stated, the decision is entirely yours. There is no right or wrong answer here. If you’re not sure, you could start with online piano lessons and then move to in-person classes, or vice versa. Or, if possible, combine the two!