Teach Piano Online Like a Pro 

Hosted by Doreen M Hall palomapiano.com

  1. The pros and cons of online lessons.

Pros

  • Convenient for students and teachers
  • Access to the best instructors.
  • Opportunity to teach more hours across time zones and get more students.
  • Students develop independence.
  • Better attendance.
  • Ability to record lessons.
  • Very low overhead.
  • Learn and teach from the comfort of home.

Cons

  • No hands-on teaching.
  • Adjustments must be made for very young or special needs students. (Adult must help)
  • Internet issues.
  • Assigning repertoire can be challenging.
  • Teaching very advanced students can present some challenges.
  1. Why the piano is well-suited for online lessons.
  • The piano is well suited to online learning.
  • Teachers can see what the students are playing on at home.
  • Technique can be taught and observed if cameras are correctly placed.
  • Each person has their own instrument.
  • Duets can be played online
  1. The bare minimum needed to get started.
  • Teacher and Student
  • An instrument
  • A fast internet connection. (100 mbps)
  • A laptop computer of large tablet. (camera built in)
  • A way to set up your tablet or computer so that student can see you.
  • An extra mic if necessary.
  • An online meeting platform (Zoom, Google meet, Rock Out Loud Live, Muzie, Mooz, etc.)

Helpful extras

  • An overhead camera for the keyboard.
  • Screensharing on the iPad or from the computer screen.
  • Headphones with built in mic or extra microphone A camera for the pedal. (I use nexigo wide angle)
  • An easy way to source and send sheet music.
  • Room lighting
  • *iPencil
  • *Kindle Reader
  • A sheet music app. (Forscore for mac or iPad – Mobilesheets for Android)
  1. How I set up my studio for online lessons.
  • Acoustic piano
  • Forscore
  • IPad Pro
  • Nexigo wide angle camera.
  1. Which platforms I use to conduct lessons.
  • Zoom,
  • Google Meet
  • FaceTime
  1. Optimizing the Zoom sound setup.
  • Audio settings >Low background noise cancellation.
  • Additional microphones
  1. Which devices work best for online lessons?
  • Computers or tablets with large enough screens to be able to see well and read music.
  • Chromebooks do not work.
  1. My favorite online apps and games.
  • Note Rush,
  • Music With
  • Grandma, Rhythm Swing, Paloma Piano
  • I RealPro
  • Forscore
  1. How to instantly assign and start teaching a new piece while online.
  • Screensharing
  • Sending music in chat
  • Listening to music on YouTube
  • Choosing music from Paloma Piano
  • IMSLP
  1. Asynchronous lessons.
  • Recording and sending Video
  1. Online live and video recitals.
  • Deadlines
  • iMovie
  • Permission to share.
  1. Communicating with parents.
  • Texting
  • Phone Calls
  • Email
  1. Keeping track of assignments.
  • Notebooks
  1. How to recruit new online students.
  • Have a website
  • Show up on Google Search
  • Using Yelp, Thumbtack, Lessons.com and other paid search Platforms
  • Social Media
  • Word of Mouth
  • Local Advertising, Online group lessons.
  • How to recruit students
  • Other types of classes
  • Adult and non-traditional students
  • Using Breakout Rooms.
  1. Billing
  • MyMusicStaff
  • PayPal
  • Zelle
  • Venmo
  • Checks/Cash

Links to stuff I like

IPad Pro

Nexigo Webcam with Built-in mic

Forscore

Mobilesheets

MyMusicStaff

Paloma Piano Membership

Kindle Cloud Reader

Comments & Discussion

Leave a Reply