Justin McKee, Piano Teacher at MJ Piano Lessons offers lessons online via Zoom or another free platform of your choice.
Online lessons proved to be highly successful during lockdown periods and are a great alternative to skipping lessons if you are unwell, cannot make your lesson in person or live outside of Sydney.
What to do
If you've never requested a lesson online before, reach out to Justin so that he can send you a Zoom link. While Zoom is the teacher's preference, you can select from other easily accessible, free platforms such as Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp video call.
Setting up before your first online piano lesson:
Make a test video call and ensure that your connection is strong enough for a live video chat.
Do you need a little more light in the room to produce a clear picture?
If you plan to position a camera or device in a static position for the duration of the lesson, get it set up beforehand. Preferably aim for an over the shoulder view or beside the hands shot. Refer to the images below for an example.
If you’re using Skype, add me as a contact by searching for my username and sending a request. Say hello and write your name in your request message.
Preparation for every online piano lesson:
Send through your completed theory work beforehand. You could simply take photo of it and send it through by SMS it.
Have your weekly notes to hand.
Be sure to have light in the room.
Make a note of anything you want to discuss, especially the bar numbers of any tricky sections you would like to work through.
After your online piano lesson:
Justin will send through your lesson notes after I have completed teaching for the day.
Practise at least three times per week with one day in between each practice day. The best day to first practise is the day after you've just had your lesson as you're more likely to recall the finer details that you should focus on to develop your skills.
Always warm your fingers up with some exercises before you start practising your pieces. If you're a new beginner, gently play through a favourite piece and others can work through their set technical exercises.
Complete your written homework and send it through to Justin by SMS, WhatsApp or email.
Please note:
There is no cost to a user for using FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp or Zoom if your device or desktop is connected to the internet. However, you do pay for the data used to make the internet connection. If you do not have an unlimited data plan, the data used for the video call will come off your data limit.
Lessons cannot be recorded, published or distributed and the teaching content remains the property of Justin McKee, MJ Piano Lessons.
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