Why COVID-19 Won’t Stop the Music Through Online Lessons

We at Vibo Music hope you are doing all you can to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic that threatens us. But be of good cheer. This too shall pass and we will be stronger for it.

Since self-quarantine is the order of the day, many businesses are concerned with closure and how they’ll deal with the loss of walk-in trade. Music teachers are not immune from this problem . . . or are they?

While some hope that self-isolation will cause the virus to die out on three to four months due to lack of hosts, this scenario is unlikely. More likely is that the virus may prove to be seasonal, which means that after a summer respite, we can expect a recurrence at the start of winter. Due to complex global conditions, we may have to accept that recurring pandemics may simply become a part of our lives. As such, until a vaccine arrives, or enough people become immune to the virus, it pays not to fall into a false sense of security when the current crisis subsides.

How this will affect occupations that rely on interpersonal relationships remains to be seen, but one can expect a huge migration of businesses to the Internet. The beauty of the internet is that its doors are always open. We can quarantine ourselves all we want and remain connected to the world.

Music education In the face of isolation

People have been posting instructional videos online for quite some time now, and many are quite useful. However, unless the instructor has an established reputation, there’s no vetting process for the quality of the information. But let’s say the instructor has good credentials in their field. Learning is a 2-way street. By simply watching a video, you can’t ask questions if something is not explained to your satisfaction.

Equally frustrating are explanations that presuppose knowledge you may not have. Beyond that, with all of the physical hurdles and sensory stimuli to cope with, students are often not in a position to recognize or hear their mistakes.

Additionally, without the watchful eye of an experienced teacher, it’s easy to form bad physical habits, which could come back to bite you later on, should you choose to make a career of your instrument. This is particularly true of fretless stringed instruments, such as violin and viola.

For the student to progress properly, it’s essential for the teacher to monitor and guide not only the student’s ear-training but also the formation of the muscles in the left hand. If the shape of the hand and fingers don’t form properly, the student will never be able to play in tune. The ability to guide the shape of the hand in relation to developing pitch is why violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz preferred to teach beginners, rather than have and already formed adult student struggle to unlearn bad habits.

Study in real-time, any time anywhere

With online instruction, these drawbacks are non-issues thanks to real-time communication platforms such as Zoom. Such platforms enable music teachers and students to engage in the one-on-one relationship that has been the cornerstone of music education for centuries. While COVID-19 may stop us from public gatherings, as long as we have the Internet, music instruction will continue unabated.

If you’re ready to take your first steps into a new and exciting world of musical enjoyment, or wish to continue your learning after a long (or short) hiatus, please visit https://vibomusic.com/online-music-lessons/ where you can sign up for a free lesson. For more information, email us at info@vibomusic.com or go to Contact Us page and a VIBO School representative will contact you ASAP.