Why I Took My Piano Lessons Online - And Why I’ve Never Looked Back

Like so many people, my teaching world changed overnight in 2020.

For over three decades, I’d been teaching piano face to face, helping children, teenagers and adults discover the joy of playing. Then suddenly, lockdown arrived and every lesson had to move online. It was sink or swim time for us all.

I’ll admit it - I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, but one thing was for certain; there was little choice!

Could I really teach piano over Zoom or Teams? Would students still make progress? Would I still have enough of a musical connection?

The answer was surprising.

Within just a few weeks it became clear that online piano lessons weren’t simply a temporary solution. They were an exciting new way of learning that opened doors for students who may never have been able to take lessons otherwise.

Over the past few years, I’ve taught pupils from right across the UK, all from my dedicated teaching studio - whether that’s been Somerset, Hertfordshire, or now Devon. The beauty was that teaching online gave me the flexibility to base myself anywhere, and likewise for my students. And when I moved, they moved with me too.

Instead of travelling to lessons, students simply log in from home, sit at their own piano or keyboard, and we begin.

One unexpected benefit is that students learn on the instrument that play every day. If something isn’t quite right, whether it’s posture, seating position, even the keyboard setup, we can fix it immediately. Lighting, piano stools, keyboard stands; we’ve adjusted them all!

Learning from home also means parents don’t have to do battle with the traffic or juggle school runs, and adults can fit their lessons around busy working lives.

Technology has become a wonderful teaching partner too. Using multiple camera angles, screen sharing, digital music, recordings, I regularly demonstrate techniques clearly and give students resources that they can return to throughout their week of practise.

Most importantly, the progress has been every bit as rewarding. Whether I’m teaching a beginner learning their very first notes, a child working towards grades, or an adult rediscovering the piano after many years away, the principles remain exactly the same: encouragement, careful guidance, and lessons tailored to the individual.

In many ways, teaching online have made my lessons even more personal. Students are relaxed in their own homes, and that confidence often translates into better performances and a more enjoyable learning experience.

Parents often tell me how convenient it is not having to leave the house, while adult learners appreciate being able to finish a meeting, make a cuppa and be at their lesson just moments later.

And without the added concerns of travel time, wear & tear on a vehicle, parking, traffic, poor weather, or minor illnesses interrupting attendance, I’ve witnessed a great continuity in the lessons too.

Looking back now, what initially felt like a huge challenge became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as a piano teacher.

If you’re searching for online piano lessons, or a piano teacher in Devon just outside Okehampton, or simply wondering whether learning piano online really works, I’d encourage you to book an informal online chat with me to learn more.

Music has an incredible way of bringing people together, regardless of distance, and online learning is a fantastic way to bring music into your life and develop a skill that will last you a lifetime.