One year ago I taught my first online piano lesson. I felt like a 2nd grader attempting for the first time to bowl in a lane with no bumpers. "I normally get a strike! Why is my ball in the alley? What is going on?" I was used to hearing students playing on my in-tune piano, in a quiet space without interruptions. I quickly adapted to hearing students on out-of-tune pianos, in a house full of chaos, through the computer which distorted or muted every note they played!
We've come along way! Thank goodness, the sound quality of online platforms to hear music has improved immensely! Looking back over this year, there have been many positives:
- For the most part, my students have attended every lesson.
- They have practiced more than usual, due to so many other activities being canceled.
- They have become more independent readers of music since I cannot play in real time with them, they have to figure out a lot on their own.
- Scheduling has been a breeze with students home more and I've been able to teach starting earlier in the afternoon.
- I have taken on students in cities other than my own, an opportunity I never knew existed.
- Teaching music theory has, in some ways, been easier, using my i-pad and sharing my screen at lessons to teach concepts.
- Teaching group lessons is easier in some ways as everyone has a piano and there are no scheduling issues.
The list goes on.
But I really, really, (really!) miss seeing my students in person. I got my first vaccine last week and am eagerly awaiting the second one. Words literally cannot express how eager I am to open my studio again ! ❤️💕😊