Wider adoption of webcams is driving a new era of music lessons in which teaching is done remotely, sometimes from other ends of the earth.Music teachers are finding a boost in their student numbers through people interested in learning via Skype and other services, including a number of older people picking up an instrument for the first time.
Speaking to the New York Times, Gary Ingle, chief executive of the Music Teachers National Association, explained that the technology is allowing individuals to teach students all over the world.
“There will be people who would never take a music lesson unless it’s done online. As music teachers, we should be willing to meet students where they are,” he said.
Some musicians with less common instruments also have greater access to teachers via the internet.
Dr John McClure, a pathologist from Minnesota, is learning to play the bagpipes from Jori Chisholm in Seattle. His lessons include those during working hours.
“I’ve been on call, waiting for a specimen from the O.R., and I’ll do a lesson with Jori,” he told the news provider.
Elsewhere, younger students use webcam lessons so that parents do not have to transport them to lessons.
As for teachers, they can use the technology to conveniently squeeze in extra students and find more pupils from further afield.
Nick Antonaccio, owner of music studio Rockfactory, also told the New York Times that lesson schedules are often more consistent as there tend to be fewer conflicts like traffic and other extracurricular activities.
Not only this, but lessons can be recorded to help students practice during the week.
However, it is unlikely that Skype will become the main method in which music lessons are conducted as without in-person interaction teachers cannot manipulate their student’s fingers on the instrument.
During a tough economic climate though, some musicians can build up a small business from their own home.