Category: Online Lesson

Online lessons have opened up endless possibilities to teaching. For example, I can share music game apps, annotate score collaboratively, teach by demonstration with ease and much more. Now that our lessons are online, there are a lot of things that we could do which we couldn’t do before!

Setting the device on the right side of the piano, with a slightly elevated angle (as shown in picture above) is ideal, so I can see the student’s hands on each key clearly. Also, the camera should show the student’s upper body and ideally their foot on the damper pedal, too.

Since I will be demonstrating and sharing content quite frequently during the lesson, it is important that the student can see me through a bigger screen, such as a laptop or tablet. For optimal experience, you may consider an earphone/ headphone with microphone so students can hear the effect that I am trying to demonstrate. Sometimes, subtle nuances cannot be heard through an external speaker.

Stable internet connection is also crucial. Try to limit internet use during your lesson time to ensure the best audio/ video transmission.

The platform that I use for most of my online lessons is Google Meet. The link will be emailed to you and posted onto Google Classroom under your name.

I love human connections and hearing music live, so I have never planned to deliver music lessons online prior to the pandemic. However, ever since I started teaching online in March 2020, I discovered a lot of advantages to online lessons.

1. It is much easier for me to demonstrate on the piano to show the gesture/ technique that produced the corresponding sound (we don’t even have to “switch seats”!)
2. I can see and hear the instrument that the student is practising on (and provide feedback on the posture/ adjustments needed)
3. Students are more independent and feel more accountable to organize their work and notes
4. Technology like sharing screen/ sound/ virtual white board/ screen recording/ google classroom to hand in assignments/ virtual sticker chart make our lessons run more effectively and efficiently
5. No more worrying about snow days or forgetting your books
6. Remote exams offered by RCM has a very flexible schedule (no more waiting until the next exam session) so students can take exams as soon as they are ready

Until things return to “normal”, continuing your lessons online is the best alternative, but I do wish to SEE you (for real) soon!

Ever since we started conducting online lessons, I have been taking extra time outside of lesson to check and mark students’ theory homework. I believe that understanding how music works is the best way to help students make informed musical choices, and to keep them interested.

I’m thankful that technology has made it so much easier for us to connect in the age of the pandemic. If you are new to my studio and would like some guidance to upload homework pages, please see document below.

There is also a place in the classroom where students can leave me a message about brief questions/ comments that they may have!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10l_rYVpQE3lhQmtObdZS3alEfT5joogk602CwlC_ZTE/edit?usp=sharing