Tips for Taking Online Piano Lessons

Learning piano at home, while undoubtedly convenient, can present unique challenges for an unexpecting online learner. However, that is why Eliason School of Music is here to help those who are new to taking piano lessons online. Below, we will explore how learning piano at home is different from physically attending lessons and how to overcome the challenges one might face with online learning.

The first and most obvious challenge is that you may not have access to a piano like you would in a classroom setting. However, there are several ways to solve this problem. The first would be to invest in your very own piano. While this choice may seem daunting, consider how serious you are about learning to play the piano. If you foresee yourself taking online learning quite seriously, this may be the right choice for you. However, if you prefer to test the waters before diving in, consider renting or borrowing a piano. By renting instead of purchasing, you give yourself a bit more flexibility and time to learn before making any serious purchasing commitments.

After gaining access to the required instrument, it’s time to set yourself up for success by preparing a schedule. This tip tends to be especially helpful for those who are new to learning piano at home, as following a schedule helps boost dedication. When creating a schedule, consider the following: What time of day do you feel most focused, and what days of the week do you have enough time to make lessons meaningful? By dedicating time according to these considerations, you will likely make better progress than you would be taking lessons sporadically.

Before beginning a lesson, prepare a space that promotes focus. Remove all distractions, such as cellular devices, televisions, and pets. Make sure the space is as quiet as possible so that you can properly make note of key tones and lesson instructions. Do this by closing any windows in the room, informing any household members or guests that you will be beginning a lesson, and distancing yourself from any noisy appliances, such as dishwashers and laundry machines.

Lastly, hold yourself accountable. Given online learning lacks the instructor’s physical presence, it mostly will be up to you to motivate yourself. One way to do this is to set goals and to remind yourself of these goals each time you begin a lesson. By setting goals, you give yourself an objective that, in turn, will encourage practice until it is accomplished. Another way to hold yourself responsible for your success is to establish an accountability partner with whom you can schedule a weekly or lesson-to-lesson check in.