Online Flute Lessons, Yay or Nay?
Are you considering starting to take online flute lessons? Are you on the fence about it? I know I get lots of questions about the validity of them and whether or not you can get a really positive musical education online. Well, my opinion is YES! There are some questions to ask yourself and your potential teacher, however.
What do YOU (the student) need in order to succeed?
Successful online students often need a few extra things in order to make sure they can get the most out of their lessons. First of all, a good computer and internet connection are crucial. It’s going to be excessively difficult to hear and learn if your internet is constantly cutting out or if your computer is having problems.
You’ll also want to invest in a good microphone. The AKG Lyra and the Tula are two of my favorites that pick up the flute well. Many lesser known USB microphones have trouble picking up frequencies and will simply cut out when the flute hits higher (or even middle) registers, which can make it exceedingly difficult for your teacher to hear you.
A good set of headphones are a must. I would recommend these AKG headphones which will allow you to hear more accurately when your instructor is trying to show you the small detailed corrections that you may need to make on an advanced level.
What should your teacher be doing in order to help you be successful?
Your teachers’ responsibilities are substantial and keep in mind that a good teacher may not have the best technology to teach, but that doesn’t make them a bad teacher by any means. That said, having a good microphone, camera (multi-angle if possible), and a good way to send you lesson notes and music.
Hands-on simply isn’t possible in an online setting, but there are lots of amazing things teachers can do to help mitigate that, including multi-angle camera setups, extra resources, games, etc.
Why online?
Some teachers simply don’t like to teach online because it’s more difficult when you can’t be hands-on. Teaching (and learning) online is a partnership that does require extra work on both sides in order to work. That said, the beautiful thing about online lessons is that you have access to some incredible teachers when you’re not struggling with proximity. Online lessons can be so helpful to those in remote communities, or if you’ve simply found someone online (say, through social media) that you would really like to learn from. Finding a teacher that aligns with your values and your needs as a student is vitally important to your success, and if they don’t live in your area, having the option of working with them online is great!
Is online right for you?
Online lessons, while a great option, can be tiring to some people. You have to be a little bit more diligent about listening to instructions and mimicking what you see and hear rather than having someone there and hands-on to direct you. You also have to be willing to invest in some amount of tech in order to truly get the most out of your lessons. If you’re able to make those small investments and you are self-aware enough and understand your ability to hear verbal instructions and translate that to action, then online is a great option for you! If you aren’t able to invest in the extra tech and you really need someone to be hands-on in your instructions, you may consider finding someone locally.
Key Takeaways
Online lessons are great for helping you find the exact right teacher if you are unable to do so locally.
These lessons require a bit more technology, such as a microphone and headphones, a good laptop, and a solid internet connection.
Online lessons don’t have the benefit of hands-on instruction but can make up for it in lots of ways.
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