While the answer may depend on who you ask or your learning preferences as a whole, there have been multiple studies showing that not only are online lessons as effective as in-person lessons but they’re often more effective than the latter. Learning in a virtual setting promotes productivity and independence.
Companies like Udemy and Khan Academy have thrived as people have realized that they can have access to affordable education right at their fingertips from the comfort of their own home. This kind of accessibility also allows individuals to be able learn at their own pace.
Now, that might still leave you wondering how learning to play an instrument through an online platform could be as good as learning in person, and we’re here to answer that question!
On average, students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only 8-10% in a classroom setting. In addition to that study, another study from the University of North Carolina showed that students are 36% more focused and perform 22% better during online lessons when compared to in-person lessons.
In a study that was more focused on the benefits of online music lessons specifically, findings revealed that off-task behaviors comprised 36% more time during face-to-face lessons while student performance increased more than 22% and all eye contact increased during online lessons.
These studies alone suggest that students learning to play an instrument in a virtual setting have the potential to learn more quickly and effectively than they would with traditional, in-person lessons. By not having someone there in person to help, it encourages students to completely focus on the task at hand which helps them retain more knowledge. In-person, private music lessons are also often more costly when compared to online music lessons (especially when you factor in travel time and costs).
If you find yourself interested in learning more or giving online music lessons a chance, you’re likely asking yourself where the best place to start looking for an online music tutor is.
Well, look no further!
While there are plenty of options out there when it comes to finding online music lessons, here at Virtu.Academy, our focus is on the quality of our teachers. Our teachers are from the world’s top music conservatories, such as Juilliard and Berklee, and are well-versed in teaching students virtually. We take pride in the quality of our lessons and believe that, no matter the age or experience level of a student, everyone should have access to affordable, online music lessons.
Since we started our mission in 2018, we have helped pair countless students with conservatory-trained teachers based on their specific needs and watched them grow into talented musicians. The COVID-19 pandemic skyrocketed the need for online music lessons and, while many students came from in-person lessons to our platform, many of them never went back to in-person lessons – and are still with us today!
We realize it might be hard to take our word for it, so here are some testimonials from some parents of our students about how starting online, private music lessons helped their children progress in ways they never expected:
“Tosca Opdam is a warm and engaging instructor. My daughter has been pleasantly surprised at how much Ms. Opdam has been able to help her with violin technique in an online format. In just a few weeks, Ms. Opdam has been able to resolve some bow hold issues my daughter had struggled with for years.”
“Emily Duncan's enthusiasm and positive energy keep my kiddo excited about her lessons and inspired to practice far more than she did w/o private lessons. The lessons cover more than just getting through playing a song, she's learning music theory as well. We live in an area where it would be easy to find an in-person teacher, but we're so happy with Virtu Academy that we wouldn't dream of switching.”
“My son has taken both violin and bass lessons for about 1 year now and has learned so much through this virtual platform. He really enjoys his lessons with Ethan P for bass. Definitely saved us during the pandemic where his in person classes were no longer available.”
These are only a few examples of many more of how online music lessons have the potential to not only be as good as in-person lessons but go beyond expectations. And, since online lessons are generally more cost-effective than in-person lessons, there’s no harm in taking the leap and giving it a try. Online learning in any capacity might not work for everyone, but you’ll never know if you never give it a try.
If you still have reservations about how you could benefit from online music lessons or are interested in receiving a music tutor recommendation, please feel free to reach out to our support team at hello@virtu.academy and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have!
We’d love to be a part of your musical journey and hope that you found this article helpful.
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