When an online piano lesson program is done right, it offers these 10 key advantages over traditional piano lessons:
1. You can work at your own pace. If you're gung ho and you have extra time, you don't have to wait a week for the next assignment. And if you've got extra commitments, you can space your lessons further apart.
2. Repeat the lesson anytime you need to. Just click to listen, watch or read again and again, without having to pay your teacher for each repetition.
3. You can ask questions of your teacher anytime. Instead of waiting for a weekly lesson, you can receive answers to your questions, motivation and support as you need them through email or other online tools.
4. You have an instant record of each lesson. Learning tools such as video and audio recordings save you from trying to write down or remember what your teacher said during your lesson time.
5. Your self discipline will improve. Rather than having a teacher tell you what to do and when, you will become self reliant. This skill can transfer to many areas of life.
6. You will learn true and accurate self evaluation. You will judge for yourself how you played a certain song or whether or not it's time to move on, instead of relying on a teacher to validate you. This is another important life skill.
7. You will gain confidence in yourself. Because this process is self-directed, you can take all of the credit for your success!
8. Since students can be anywhere in the world, you can interact globally. Online forums and blogs offer opportunities for peer support, learning from each other and socializing with other music lovers.
9. You will have regular opportunities to share your music. You choose when to perform, express or record your music within your online piano community - there's no need to wait for an annual recital.
10. The lessons are yours for life. Anytime you want to refresh your memory, move to the next level or start again, you can return to the lessons. When taking online piano lessons, you never really quit!
I've taught extensively both online and in person, and I have concluded that the vast majority of students can learn successfully online if they can have the support they need to tap into these advantages and overcome these disadvantages.
