How To Make Online Violin Lessons Worthwhile

Can online violin lessons really work? I was skeptical, too.

In fact, at the beginning of my teaching career, I was perplexed with the idea of online teaching. How would I be able to teach detailed concepts and techniques through a screen?

In reality, the world has changed a lot in the past ten years. Technology has shifted many aspects of our life to the virtual realm. When I decided to start offering lessons online, I gained many new tools to enhance my teaching. Ultimately, this made me a better teacher and allowed me to share the joy of learning the violin with more students around the world.

I have come to believe that online lessons are not only effective, but are also fun. Technology can be used to suit the specific circumstances of online violin lessons. I’d like to share a few things I’ve learned along the way.

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How To Use Zoom Features For Enhanced Music Lessons

Out of all the video apps out there, I have a strong preference for using Zoom. There are some features of the Zoom platform that I have found particularly useful for violin lessons.

using computer sound sharing to listen to recording with the student.

I use the screen sharing function in almost every lesson. In this way I can listen to recordings with students in real time by sharing my screen and computer sound. Listening to top violinists play the repertoire that we are working on is an important part of the learning process, and my student and I can discuss the details of the recording, down to the specific phrase or note while listening together.

Screen sharing also provides the opportunity to examine sheet music together with the student. I pull up the online version of the sheet music and use the mouse as a pointer to draw attention to specific notes on the page or help the student stay on track as they play. This removes any frustration of not being able to physically point to the music in front of the student.

utilizing screen sharing and whiteboard function to give visual diagrams

When a student needs more clarity on notes, fingerings, or bowings, I use the whiteboard tool to draw diagrams as a visual aid for students. Though my on-screen handwriting may not win any beauty competitions, this tool has helped greatly in situations when the student is having trouble understanding the information aurally.

Getting The Right Sound

In addition to the Zoom features mentioned above, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of using a proper microphone for online lessons. Without a good microphone, sound issues can become frustrating and waste valuable lesson time. Getting a simple USB microphone for your laptop or computer can eliminate sound issues and allow the lesson to proceed smoothly. Personally, I have been using the Shure MV5, which has served me well in online teaching. My students have reported that they can hear me more clearly when I am using this microphone. Overall, a good USB microphone can enhance the sound quality of both your speaking voice and instrument tone quality.

The Future of Music Lessons Is Online

To summarize, these technological tools can truly help create a well-rounded and productive learning environment. Not only does online learning work, but looking forward I believe it is going to be the standard for music lessons in the future.

As a matter of fact, this is the reason I founded my online violin studio. I wanted to provide a opportunity for those who want personalized, high-quality violin lessons from the convenience of their computer. If you’re interested in trying out online violin lessons, do not hesitate to contact me and set up a free consultation.