A I use Zoom for online piano lessons, just before the lesson is due to start I email you a link to click on, if you dont already have Zoom you will be invited to download it. Zoom is free and only takes a couple of minutes to install (you only need to do this the first time).
Q Why Zoom?
A I can give online piano lessons using Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime, Messenger etc but with Zoom I can easily switch from one external web cam (which gives you a similar view to the one you would get sitting next to me at the piano) to an overhead view of my piano keyboard so that I can demonstrate (similar to the view in many Youtube piano tutorials), I can also screen share sheet music with you which I can annotate with my ipencil, I can use a virtual keyboard for beginners with note names and keys that light up as I play and I can use Apps such as Classroom Maestro to explain aspects of musical notation and theory.
Q What equipment will I need?
A A good internet connection, a piano or keyboard and either a smartphone, tablet or laptop. This Youtube video demonstrates some imaginative ways of setting up for online piano lessons.
Q Will I need to learn to read sheet music?
A People learn to play the piano using a variety of methods including playing by rote (copying finger movements), by ear, by watching Youtube tutorials with virtual keyboards and by learning to read standard musical notation or lead sheets (melody plus chord symbols). A well rounded musician will learn by all these methods and this is what I encourage students to do but you may well find that some methods work better with you than others.
Q Where will I get sheet music from?
A I will send you copies of most of the pieces that you will learn by email or Whastapp and there are many excellent online sheet music stores selling downloadable sheet music and hard copies. I can recommend all of the following:
Q Will I take examinations?
A Many students find that working towards a graded exam helps to motivate them but they are not suitable for everyone. Many students find that the satisfaction of learning to play a musical instrument is motivation enough and therefore choose to not go down that route. For those that do, I regularly enter students for the ABRSM graded exams (both classical and jazz) but I am also happy to enter students for other accredited examination boards such as Trinity, LCM and Rockschool.
Q Are there any problems with online piano lessons?
A Yes, there can occasionally be a problem with connectivity, however I allow time in between lessons so that should there be a problem I can extend the lesson.
Q Are there any advantages of online piano lessons over in person piano lessons?
A Yes I find the use of the overhead camera, the virtual keyboard and various notation apps to be very helpful.
Q How and when do I pay for online piano lessons?
A The first lesson is free and if you do not think that further lessons would work for you then there is absolutely no need to continue. If you do decide to continue then you pay after each lesson by bank transfer or Paypal, you do not need to commit to any number of lessons.
Q How long does it take to learn to play the piano?
A This is a question I am often asked and is possibly the hardest one to answer. This is partly because our individual concepts of what being able to play the piano means vary so much and also because progress depends on many things such as the amount of time spent practising, age, natural ability etc. Generally speaking I would normally expect a complete beginner to be able to play a simple five note tune using one hand after the first lesson and after say one year with regular practice be able to read and play pieces using both hands in the keys of C,F,G and D Majors.