In-Person vs Online Cello Lessons
In-person or online cello lessons- which format is best for you? As a teacher who has done both I can confidently say that it entirely depends on the needs of the student. Each option has its pros and cons. Let’s discuss!
When I first began teaching, I worked entirely in-person with students. It is the most traditional format and can be very effective. When learning in-person, the teacher can manually adjust your form. This can be incredibly helpful for some learners! I used to rely on a lot of these techniques to help students find positioning that worked best for them, often by adjusting the cello for them. The first few weeks of lessons can have a lot of trial and error as every student has to develop a technique that best fits their body. Some students have longer arms proportional to their torso, while others might be taller or shorter. Many adult students have persistent tension in their hands, back, and arms that needs to be addressed. It takes patience to find a setup that works well for your needs!
Online lessons work for students who have visual and aural learning styles. If you can listen to instructions, observe a demonstration and imitate, online lessons are a great fit! On the other hand, some students might prefer a more hands on approach and need some level of manual adjustment from a teacher. If this is the case, in-person lessons will be much more efficient. As an online teacher, I monitor students closely in the first 1-2 months of lessons. If things aren’t clicking, then we may need to move in a different direction.
When I decided to move my own studio online, I knew that I would need a method that would allow my students to develop a solid setup even in the digital format. Because of this, I developed a series of exercises to help students build their technique without manual adjustments from me. For instance, imagine that you are holding a cup of water in your right hand, and dump the water straight onto the floor- you can turn the cup completely upside-down. Notice how your forearm, wrist, and knuckles are now angled towards you? Ta-da! That is what we call “pronation”- and it is a fundamental part of how our bow setup works. You just found an angle that would work best for your bow arm! I love these exercises because they allow the student to develop their setup by following the natural movements of their body.
Online lessons are great for people with busy schedules and those who live in rural areas. It can be easier to stay consistent when lessons can occur in the comfort of your own home! When I taught in-person, about 70% of my students requested to have lessons home. Many of these students had siblings with their own interests, or were adult learners with busy schedules. It can be challenging to keep a routine of driving 20-45 minutes to lessons each week.
On the other hand, a good cello teacher can absolutely be worth the trip! I remember driving an hour to my teacher when I was in high school. I had taken a one-year break from the instrument my Junior year of high school, and his teaching method helped me prepare for my conservatory auditions in just three months! Even now, I am incredibly grateful to my mother for investing the time each week to take me to cello lessons. Having now made a career out of music, the level of dedication she provided was truly invaluable.
**Note: Teachers who provide in-home lessons exist, but they can be scarce. Most instructors establish their own studio after 1-3 years of teaching. It is worth reaching out to ask!
In short, students who are compatible with visual and aural instruction will usually perform well with online lessons, provided the teacher has established methods to help develop strong fundamentals. Some students will prefer an in-person teacher if they find that manual adjustment is needed! A good cello teacher is absolutely worth the trip each week, but those with busy schedules might prefer the convenience of online instruction.
I hope this helps!
-Susan Lindemann
P.S. Interested in joining my studio? Click HERE to learn more!