Online Lessons for COVID-19

online lessons laptop coffee and notebook

Online Lessons for COVID-19

We truly appreciate all of you that are willing to bear with us during this time and break out of your comfort zones for a couple of weeks. As a small business that operates 100% on classes, an event like this creates unforeseen hurdles in delivering the best lesson experience and we’d like to thank you for being accommodating as we move to online lessons temporarily. We feel like the recommendations of top health officials are important, regardless of the consequences to our business.

By continuing your lessons you are supporting small business, our local community, AND supporting musical artists by enabling our teachers to make a living doing what they love: sharing music. Many of them have also been affected by cancelled gigs as well, so your support is very appreciated.  

A long-term goal for Oconee Music was to begin offering regular online lessons. In 2018 we began implementing this option to help cover makeups due to mild sickness. We found that doing online lessons now and then uncovers new information about the students and gives the teacher new perspectives to help the student. Our teachers have an extensive amount of training material and are prepared to deliver their best version of lessons online. We are ready to deliver excellence to you even in the digital world!

Here are some of the benefits we’ve found from Online lessons:

  1. THEY HELP DEVELOP MUSICAL EARS.
    Online lessons encourage students to listen closely. It’s great practice in ear training!
  2. THEY DEVELOP COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
    The online dynamic relies on clear communication, and can help students stay super focused during lessons.
  3. LESS OFF-TASK BEHAVIOR.
    Studies show that online instruction reduces off-task behavior and increases teacher modeling and eye contact.
  4. STUDENTS TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THEIR MUSIC.
    Since teachers can’t point, students are responsible for looking at their music and making any necessary notations.
  5. STUDENTS CAN PRACTICE IMMEDIATELY AFTER A LESSON.
    Because there’s no travel time involved, teachers can encourage students to stay for a practice session after their lesson.
  6. CHECKING THE AT-HOME PRACTICE SET-UP
    There is a lot of benefit to seeing how a student practices at home, particularly with the piano. We can check to make sure your regular practice sessions are as productive as possible!
  7. VIDEO LESSONS CAN BE REWATCHED.
    If you choose Zoom we can record the lesson, Students and parents can rewatch sections if they need to!

Here is how it will work:

Your teacher will contact you to see if you prefer Zoom or Facetime.

General Set-up for everyone: Student should be set up at their instrument with a pen/pencil for notes and any music books nearby. Students younger than 8 should have a parent sit with them during this lesson. The phone/tablet/laptop should show the student’s face and the instrument. That might mean finding a stand on a table or shelf nearby. A stack of books works great!

Facetime: If you are an iphone/ipad user and choose Facetime, your teacher will contact you at your lesson time. (Note – please allow a 5-10 minute buffer on start time – we want to give all students their full time and this may take a bit longer to transition between lessons.)

Zoom: Your teacher will text or email you a meeting link – you will need to download the Zoom app to your phone/tablet if you are using a phone or tablet. The desktop version should open automatically although some browsers may prompt you to allow a plug-in. ***Important note: you will not be able to join the meeting until your teacher has joined it. (Please allow a 5-10 minute buffer on start time – we want to give all students their full time and this may take a bit longer to transition between lessons.)

We hope this will give you a good diversion from the monotony of social isolation AND continue to move your child forward in their musical progress. Please let us know if you have any further questions!

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