Recently, online flute lessons went from being an option to being the standard. Having to stay home has changed the way we learn and teach music.
Luckily, there are a couple of ways you can have online flute lessons. If you can’t make live lessons work, you can have recorded lessons or vice versa.
Want to watch instead of read? Head to my YouTube channel to watch the video!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
What Are Online Flute Lessons?
Online flute lessons are lessons that you can have from the comfort of your home. You don’t have to worry about going to your teacher’s house or studio. Also, you don’t have to worry about setting up for your teacher to come to you.
You and your teacher can be in different locations, which means there are a few benefits of taking online flute lessons.
Why take online flute lessons
One of the best reasons to take online flute lessons is the convenience. You don’t have to worry about commuting to lessons. Because of that, you can still have lessons in inclement weather.
You also have access to more teachers when taking online lessons. If you take lessons in person, you have to work with a teacher in your area. But online, you can find teachers all over the world, and you can find one willing to work with you.
Want to work with me? Join the Lesson Studio!
Why not take online flute lessons
The biggest disadvantage of online lessons is that you don’t get the same connection as when you’re in the same room as your teacher. You have to do everything visually and with sound.
Your teacher can’t move your hands into the correct position, they’ll have to explain where to place your fingers. If you need help with your air and breathing, you can’t feel your teacher’s air as they demonstrate.
Luckily, there are a few ways around these issues.
Live Online Flute Lessons
Live online lessons are probably the most common type of lessons. They work similarly to in-person lessons, but you aren’t in the same room as your teacher.
That means you and your teacher have to agree to a time in your schedule. You also have to agree on the video chat program to use. FaceTime and Skype are both very popular, and Zoom is gaining popularity.
Of course, this also means that you need a decent tablet or computer.
Pros of live online lessons
As with any online lesson, your location doesn’t matter. You can work with anyone you want, whether they’re in your city or not. Having your lessons at home also means you don’t have to spend time commuting to and from your lessons.
Depending on the teacher you choose to work with, online flute lessons might cost less than lessons in person. This is especially true if you live in a higher-priced area but study with someone who lives in a different place.
Cons of live online lessons
While live lessons can be valuable, they aren’t perfect. For one, you need a stable internet connection to have a productive lesson. And your teacher also needs a reliable connection, which can be out of your control.
If you live with pets, kids, or roommates, it can be hard to have quiet time. But you need a quiet space to have online live lessons. So if you can’t get that quiet time, you might want to find another way to learn flute online.
Recorded Online Flute Lessons
If live lessons don’t work well for you, consider doing recorded online lessons. As a student, you can submit a recording to your teacher for feedback. Or as a teacher, you can record yourself teaching and send the video to a student.
I offer performance checks, which are reviews of recordings that you submit. Performance checks don’t have to be every week, so they can be a great way to still get feedback while saving money.
Want to try a performance check?
Pros of recorded online lessons
The biggest advantage of recorded lessons is that they’re typically cheaper than live lessons. You don’t have to commit to a weekly schedule, so you don’t have to spend as much on studying the flute.
And if you can’t find a teacher with openings that fit your schedule, you can still learn. You can make a recording on your own time, and you can read or watch the teacher’s feedback whenever you can.
Cons of recorded online lessons
Of course, performance checks and recorded lessons aren’t perfect. One of the disadvantages is that you don’t get immediate feedback on your playing. It could take a day or two for your teacher to review the recording and provide comments.
Also, it can be hard to ask and answer certain questions. You can include questions in your email with the recording. But it can be hard to get answers on detailed things, like your embouchure or tone colors.
So…
Online flute lessons are an excellent option for many people. What’s more, there are multiple types of online lessons available. If you’re interested in taking online lessons, give live and recorded lessons a try. You might find you like one over the other.
Want to know more about learning flute online? Check out my ultimate guide!
