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The COVID pandemic forced many activities into our homes that we never dreamed would happen there, not the least of which includes our jobs, our children’s schools, town council meetings, concerts, and much more. Another activity to include on that list is music lessons.
Many parents may have found themselves wondering how virtual classes for music and learning an instrument -- something that is so hands-on and requires face-to-face engagement -- could possibly work. But not only has it worked, but it has also worked well. So well, in fact, that many teachers and parents alike are planning on sticking with it, even once COVID restrictions are lifted. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why that is.
More Teachers From Which to Choose
It can be very difficult to find a music teacher who your child loves, who teaches in a style that you love, and who is nearby. But if you choose to have your child take music lessons online, your options have expanded exponentially.
Very often, children have to stop taking lessons entirely when they don’t get along with their teachers or they aren’t a good fit, for whatever reason. With online learning, kids can more easily find someone they like and therefore learn from them more readily.
This isn’t just about finding the right fit, either; it also opens up the option of music lessons to families who may not be able to pay for limited availability nearby. With all of the tremendous benefits of music lessons, this is a wonderful way to offer this skill to kids everywhere.
Flexible Scheduling and Saving Time
Many in-person music teachers like to keep the same schedule every week, which is convenient for some families. However, with illnesses, unexpected happenings, and irregularly scheduled events such as sports games and more, many families find themselves having to cancel their music lessons more often than they like.
Typically, teachers of virtual classes offer more flexibility in scheduling. What is more, families will save tons of time by not having to drive to and from lessons. For families today with so many demands on their time, this is a tremendous benefit. It might get you one more family dinner every week, which is priceless time with your growing kiddos.
Immediate Feedback
In addition to flexibility with scheduling, music teachers for virtual classes are often more available in between lessons. Since kids are already using a digital platform to communicate with teachers, they can easily record themselves practicing and send those videos to their teacher for feedback. Whether that feedback comes immediately or in the next lesson, it’s a way to communicate in between lessons, which fosters faster learning and development of skills.
Less Anxiety and Stage Fright for Kids
Music lessons can be nerve-wracking and stress-inducing for a number of reasons, many of which are alleviated by going virtual. New experiences are almost always scary for most kids, so being able to do their first music classes virtually, in the comfort of their own environments with mom and dad nearby, can take a lot of that away. If kids can become comfortable sooner, then they’ll be able to make progress more quickly.
It can also be stressful for young kids to be face-to-face, one-on-one with an authority figure such as a music teacher. Think about it: kids don’t often have that kind of experience; most schools and other types of lessons are not private. Again, being in their own homes can help kids be more comfortable.
Finally, recitals can be terrifying, especially for kids with shy, perfectionist tendencies. Believe it or not, some children quit taking music lessons simply because they don’t want to face the fear of playing on stage. Teachers of virtual classes have found several alternatives to allow children to showcase their progress on different platforms. All of them help avoid the dreaded appearance on stage in front of peers and their parents.
Safer and More Convenient
One drawback to traditional music lessons is that very often, parents are asked to leave their child alone with another adult for a decent chunk of time. Most teachers are fully vetted and background-checked. But even so, it’s a little nerve-wracking for parents, who have very specific expectations for how they want people in positions of authority to speak to or interact with their children. With virtual classes, parents have the option to keep an eye on things and the teachers know it.
On a lighter note (pun totally intended!), not having teachers come to your home means no pressure on Mom and Dad to clean up before another human steps foot in the house. What a relief!
The Takeaway
Are virtual classes for music lessons right for your child and family? Only you know that for sure. But the bottom line is that many parents have fallen in love with the convenience and other benefits of them. Our advice: give it a try!
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