Online piano lessons are becoming more and more popular for learning piano. And that’s hardly surprising; they are convenient, engaging, and quite affordable.
But are online courses also effective? And can they actually replace traditional music lessons?
In this article, we will take a look at the benefits and potential drawbacks of each option.
More importantly, we will help you determine what type of classes are best for you!
Online Piano Lessons Vs In Person
Whether you should opt for online piano lessons or in-person piano classes depends on various factors.
Both options have their own advantages, so it all comes down to your goals and preferences.
To help you make the right decision, let’s go through the main characteristics of in-person piano lessons and online piano learning courses.
In-person Piano Lessons
One thing is for sure: despite the popularity of online music programs, traditional and in-person piano lessons are still one of the most effective ways to learn the piano.
If you decide to go to a music school, you will undoubtedly build a strong foundation. You will be taught by qualified teachers who will guide you through the process in a step-by-step fashion.
Generally, in-person piano lessons are very efficient because they entail clear guidance. If you have a teacher by your side, you can get clear instructions suitable for your level and your individual learning pace.
Plus, your teacher will give you immediate feedback on your playing. That way you’ll be able to correct mistakes, but you’ll know exactly what to do to improve your performance. Direct feedback is extremely important, so this is a huge advantage.
Also, with in-person piano classes, you’ll be ‘forced’ to follow a linear learning path. With online courses and apps, you can easily skip lessons and, for example, try to learn a song that’s too challenging for you. But your piano teacher won’t allow that.
The thing is, music schools have a ‘strict’ curriculum and traditional approach for a reason. If you want to become a skilled piano player, you can’t jump to playing popular songs right away. You need to learn how to read notes, develop a sense of rhythm, get control of your fingers, and so on.
Some online courses even skip music theory lessons and they won’t teach you anything about notation or correct hand position. But with in-person lessons, that certainly won’t happen.
All things considered, although they’re generally more expensive and they’re not available in every living area, in-person piano lessons are still one of the best ways to learn piano, especially for people who want to take their piano learning seriously.
Pros & Cons of In-person Piano Lessons
Pros:
- Clear guidance
- Easier for correcting mistakes
- Immediate feedback
- Linear learning path
- Professional teachers
Cons:
- Can be pricey
- Travel time
- Less flexibility
Online Piano Lessons
If you’re one of those people who don’t know how online learning became so popular, let us clear some things up.
First of all, the best piano learning platforms offer video lessons recorded with high-quality production. Their videos have multiple camera angles, close-up shots, on-screen notation, and so on. All of that makes them easy to follow.
The best online music programs also have impressive rosters of teachers. On some platforms, you can even learn from famous musicians.
All in all, if you decide to learn how to play piano online, you’ll have a variety of teachers to choose from.
And if you find a private online tutor, you’ll have the advantage of getting real-time feedback. Plus, your teacher will adjust to your needs and preferences.
And if you want complete freedom to choose your learning material, you can opt for a program that offers a library of video lessons and song tutorials.
Speaking of songs, online piano programs normally have more variety when it comes to genres. Some platforms and apps have extensive song libraries (with thousands of easy piano songs), and online tutors are usually open for suggestions.
So, whether you want to play popular hits or lesser-known tunes, finding a good piano app/course would be a good option.
Online piano programs generally have more material. Some of them have thousands of video lessons focused on different styles and techniques. If you only have one teacher, you can’t expect them to know everything. And with a good online course, you can focus on, well, almost anything.
Another advantage of online piano lessons is a variety of useful features. If you don’t have a piano teacher by your side, it’s good to have online learning tools at your disposal. Some programs offer tools like a metronome and looping option, and some even use gamification elements to keep you motivated.
As you can see, learning how to play piano online can be quite interesting; you just need to find a course that fits your learning style.
And regardless of what type of online classes you choose, you will probably spend less money than you would have spent on in-person lessons. Online tutors usually have affordable rates (although that depends), and piano learning apps/courses offer different membership plans.
Last but not least, online lessons are very flexible. In most cases, you can make your own schedule and learn at your own pace.
All in all, taking online piano lessons is a convenient and efficient way to learn the piano, especially for casual learners who want to try out different styles and genres.
Pros & Cons of Online Piano Lessons
Pros:
- Flexibility
- Less expensive
- Variety of teachers
- Modern learning tools
- Rich song libraries
Cons:
- Not easy to get detailed, accurate feedback
- Lack of structure (in some cases)
Final Thoughts
In our online piano lessons vs in-person classes comparison, it’s not easy to choose a winner. Both options have their own advantages.
At the end of the day, it all depends on your ultimate goal and preferences.
If you prefer structured learning and traditional teaching methods, you should opt for in-person piano lessons. Even though they’re usually more expensive than online learning, they are definitely worth it.
And if you’re looking for flexible scheduling and versatile tools and genres, you should check out our list of the best online piano lessons. They can be an excellent learning source for anyone who wants to learn the piano in the comfort of their home.
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