A Teacher’s Perspective on Virtual Music Study
When the classical music world came to a halt in 2020, musicians everywhere were suddenly confronted with a daunting question: could private music lessons, something so rooted in in-person connection, truly be effective online? As a violist finishing my graduate degree at The Juilliard School and starting my first orchestra job with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, it was a question I faced head on in March of 2020.
I had planned several trips back to New York to complete my final in-person lessons with my teacher at Juilliard. When COVID shut everything down, those final lessons moved to Zoom. I was skeptical that learning the subtleties of phrasing, timing, bow articulation, color, and expression could happen through a video call.
To my surprise, the progress of my lessons continued almost seamlessly. My teacher focused on musicality, expressive shaping, and helping me develop my own personal artistic voice. Much of our lesson time had always been conversational; he proposed imagery and metaphors that helped me develop an idea of what colors or emotions I wanted to convey in a given musical phrase. Technical aspects of my playing were discussed only as a means towards strengthening my musical interpretation of a piece. Since our lessons were mostly conversation based, all of that translated to virtual lessons extremely well.
Because my internet connection at the time was unreliable, I would send my teacher pre-filmed videos (just using my phone camera) before each lesson. We would then meet on Zoom to discuss the musical choices and potential technical adjustments. Even with low audio and video quality, we were still able to communicate at a very high artistic level. At one of the top conservatories in the country, online lessons could still deliver meaningful progress.
Why Online Violin and Viola Lessons Can Work Surprisingly Well
For string players in particular, most of our technique is visible, and therefore workable in online lessons. Bow hand, bow angle, overall set-up, posture, and tension are just as easy to observe on video as in-person. Even with audio issues, I can still assess intonation, rhythm, phrasing, and musical direction from a student and follow up with a correction and a discussion of the underlying concept. This is likewise true for the teacher; I can model a technique for a student on a video call just as well as I can in-person.
Of course, some instruments (such as brass instruments or voice) face greater limitations online. But in my experience as both a teacher and student, string instruction adapts extremely well to a virtual format. That being said, in the end, the right pairing of teacher and student is the most important element of successful lessons. No matter what form lessons may take, an excellent teacher will translate to excellent student progress.
Pros and Cons of Online Violin & Viola Lessons
After years of teaching and studying through online private lessons, here’s what I’ve learned:
Pros
- Flexible scheduling for both student and teacher
- Comfortable home setting that can reduce stress and encourage focus
- No travel time means more time for other commitments
- Safe, no contact learning environment
- Technical and musical concepts translate well even over low-quality video and audio
- Lower barrier for commitment can encourage beginners to try lessons
- Ideal for busy people balancing school, work, and activities
- Access to high-level instruction regardless of location, ideal for students living far from a major teacher or music school
- Access to more teachers, helping students find the right fit
Cons
- Internet issues can interrupt lessons (though in practice this is rare)
- The lower sense of physical commitment can lead to more cancellations and lower investment
- Beginner students may need in-person help with tuning, setup, and instrument handling
- Shared musical community is limited when student and teacher live in different cities (ex: chamber music, youth orchestras, fellow students)
- Young children under age eight often benefit more from in-person lessons due to attention span and sensory aspects of early childhood learning methods
The Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Lessons
A hybrid model of in-person and online lessons can offer the perfect balance for many people. Students have access to the holistic experience of in-person instruction, plus the flexibility and comfort of online lessons. Especially for those living in regions with extreme weather, having the option to move a lesson online can be beneficial for days when travel is inadvisable.
Finding the Right Teacher for Online or In-Person Study
Choosing how to take private music lessons can feel overwhelming, especially with the wide range of options available. But the advantage is clear: you have access to more teachers, more scheduling options, and more learning styles by studying online. Many of my most successful student outcomes have come out of exclusively online lessons; I can still tailor my lesson plans to each student’s goals and needs while maintaining flexibility for both sides.
If you’re curious about whether online violin or viola lessons might be a good fit, I encourage you to submit a lesson inquiry and experience a trial lesson firsthand. Details about my teaching method, musical background, and studio policies can all be found on my website.