| Most people who have a desire to play a musical | | | | musician, you can find a piano course that appeals |
| instrument dream of playing the piano. There is a | | | | to your skill level. |
| mystique surrounding this particular instrument | | | | - In some cases you get unlimited access to the |
| that separates it from all others, and pianists are | | | | entire library of lessons, videos, sheet music and |
| generally held in very high regard among | | | | other resourses the course provides. |
| musicians. | | | | - You can advance as quickly or as slowly as you |
| Private piano lessons today have become quite an | | | | want. There's no timetable or deadline except |
| expensive proposition, and as a consequence, | | | | those you may set for yourself. |
| many people have been turning to online piano | | | | - If you are a beginner, it's an ideal way to learn |
| lessons as a more economical option. But is this | | | | the basics of music theory and get a feel for |
| digital method of delivery an effective alternative | | | | what playing the piano is all about, while |
| to the traditional one-on-one experience with a | | | | progressing at your own pace. |
| teacher? | | | | On the Down Side |
| Let's examine some of the advantages and | | | | - As comprehensive as any particular course may |
| disadvantages: | | | | be, it will never be sufficient to satisfy all your |
| On the Up Side | | | | musical development needs. Sure, you could make |
| - It is significantly cheaper to get piano lessons | | | | remarkable progress and achieve a measure of |
| online because the time, effort and expense | | | | proficiency, but at some point you will outgrow |
| associated with setting up and delivering digital | | | | that course. |
| lessons are a fraction of what traditional lessons | | | | - Some of the finer points involved with |
| cost. | | | | technique, execution and expression may not get |
| - The material and teaching methods are no | | | | the attention they deserve. These are a few of |
| different from what you would expect from a | | | | the elements that contribute to "touch" - that |
| live tutor. | | | | subtle something pianists acquire which allows |
| - No travel necessary. You can study your music | | | | them to convey their emotions through their |
| in the comfort and privacy of your own home | | | | music. |
| without having to hassle with driving to your | | | | - Since you don't have a teacher monitoring your |
| lesson. | | | | every practice, you could easily form bad |
| - You can choose the type of music you want to | | | | technical habits which could hamper your |
| play. While the rudiments of music apply to all | | | | long-term development. |
| genres, if you want to learn jazz or classical, you | | | | - Not every musician or pianist who offers an |
| can select a course that focuses specifically on | | | | online course is necessarily a great teacher. You |
| that musical form. | | | | don't want to get stuck with a course that is |
| - You get to set your schedule to fit the | | | | poorly designed and is more confusing than |
| demands of your day. You are no longer | | | | enlightening. |
| restricted to any particular weekday as you | | | | A great online course may not be sufficient to |
| would be with offline lessons. You can practice | | | | guarantee a professional career as a concert |
| whenever it's convenient for you. | | | | pianist, but it can certainly provide you with the |
| - You get to hear and see how your lessons are | | | | tools to entertain your friends at parties and play |
| to be performed before you actually play them. | | | | for your own enjoyment. And the cost in terms |
| This audio/visual component helps you understand | | | | of time, effort and money, makes an online piano |
| what you are to do, and gives you a reference | | | | course an attractive proposition. The trick is to |
| point against which to compare yourself. | | | | find the one that best suits your needs. |
| - Whether you are a beginner or and experienced | | | | |