Online classes Vs Physical

So, what do you guys think about having online classes instead presencial ones? Because, as I was looking for, it’s a quite cheaper than having classes with a teacher in front of you…

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My teacher teaches me via one-on-one Zoom lessons. I have absolutely no complaints about my teacher. We have had some technical difficulties, but nothing we weren’t able to deal with.

It is really important that you have the immediate feedback of real-time lessons, though, regardless of whether they’re in-person or online.

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General rule of thumb is that in person lessons are usually better than online lessons, but online lessons are better than no lessons. Sometimes online lessons enable increased frequency of instruction which may make up for the difference. They may also enable access to more teacher choices for those who have limited options locally.

I think online lessons are more viable after one has been setup well. Ideally one would begin getting setup properly in person. But this isn’t always possible.

Under almost no circumstances do you want asynchronous classes where you are not getting live, personalized instruction. That rarely works for newer learners. At more advanced levels you can sometimes provide a recording and get recorded feedback, but even then it is suboptimal.

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I just started online lessons. I did in person lessons when I was a kid, and again as a teenager.

It was a little weird at first but the teacher is excellent. I was pretty concerned that my technique, the real physical aspects of playing, would not get the same attention - but she immediately recognised what I needed help with in both the physical action of playing, and the kind of pieces I should work on.

I will add - I have a very good setup for video calls. I was streaming a bit previously so lighting, microphone and camera are all much better than I’d imagine most people have. I assume this helps a lot, but I haven’t asked her if it matters on her end. I would just guess it gives the teacher a much easier time if you have your technical stuff in good order.

Either way, do lessons, it’s 100% worth it.

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I have 1 on 1 classes on Skype. I live in backwater internet land Germany, so we do have some nimor connection issues here and there, but it’s nothing that would be a great hindrance.

I instantly clicked with my teacher, and I have had amazing progress over the last 7 months I was under his tutelage!

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I do online lessons and love them.

They are are soooo convenient, and so far the online format hasn’t been a problem.

It’s working really well for me. Much easier to fit into my schedule and I can wear comfy PJs during my lesson😂

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I was very hesitant about on-line lessons, but decided to try it just to see during the pandemic. I got a great teacher in across the sea, and have been doing it now for about 9 mos. Has been great and my playing has advanced a lot. Find the right teacher for you and try it out. No big deal if it turns out to be not for you in the end.

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In-person lessons are better than remote lessons when starting out, since you can get direct physical feedback, but any lessons are much better than no lessons

Online lessons are good. In-person lessons are better. I did Zoom lessons with my teacher during COVID times. We could get things done and I could show him stuff I wouldn’t normally be able to otherwise (sheet music from a website in my PC, a YouTube video, or some recorded piano accompaniment in my digital piano for instance).

Where it really breaks down is on duets. I was doing the Bach Double Violin Concerto and playing the duet via Zoom is both nearly impossible and dissatisfying sound-wise. Also, on the sound itself, unless both of you have studio-quality mikes, the sound settings in your PC will do a disservice to both violins.

Which is really the bottom-line here. As you learn the violin more you realize the value of live music. The value of hearing the violin echoing on a room. Hearing the sound that a computer will never be able to fully reproduce. However, if that is not possible, online lessons will still be good. My son is taking online cello lessons by choice because we couldn’t find a good cello teacher in town and the Suzuki schools was not accepting new students during COVID, so he plays duets with me :slight_smile: