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Lockdown learning

Related: Coronavirus forum, discuss everything related to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

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Original poster

Piano lessons via FaceTime etc

13 replies

outthedoor1 · 05/04/2020 12:18

Has anyone's DC had a virtual piano lesson and how has this gone? My DD had one and it seemed ok although like many other things not quite as good as in person lessons. Not as easy for DD to follow instructions/corrections.
Not sure how long this will go on for but would you expect to pay full fee for "distance learning" for an entire term or longer depending on length of lockdown?

OP posts:

meonekton · 05/04/2020 16:24

We declined the offer of online lesson from the piano teacher. I just don't think it's worth it. My dc still practice everyday, and I think it's good enough. I am sure there are great teacher who can teach children distantly, but I just didn't think it suited my dc.

dancemom · 05/04/2020 17:15

Dd wasn't keen when her teacher suggested this but she actually enjoyed them and I think it's better than forgoing lessons for 12 weeks or more.
I'm paying full price which I don't mind as I do already pay a reduced rate.

Eroica · 05/04/2020 17:19

My DD studies at a conservatoire junior department, and her lessons (two instruments and theory) have continued via Skype and zoom. They have finished for Easter holidays for a couple of weeks. They did close earlier than schools due to teachers working in such close quarters with their pupils- not safe on either side.

Londonmummy66 · 05/04/2020 17:19

My DD has had 5 online lessons - seem to be working well but obviously not as well as a face to face. We are paying the full price - music teachers are not the wealthiest at the best of times and have had their other (performance) work disappear overnight.

Eroica · 05/04/2020 17:20

We have the camera aimed at the instrument each time, so the teacher can see the fingerings etc.

Daffodil101 · 05/04/2020 17:21

We continued to have singing and piano lessons. It’s not as good but I want to support the tutor’s income. Also I think that bit of continuity is important for children’s mental health.

Whattodo121 · 05/04/2020 17:23

Ds is having piano and trumpet lessons via FaceTime at the moment and we’re paying full price for both, why wouldn’t we?! It’s not their fault that they can’t do face to face lessons. DS’s piano teacher is a good friend of mine who’s amazing at what he does and relies on his self employed income to pay the mortgage. Am going to continue to support him throughout.

confusednortherner · 05/04/2020 17:32

Dis is doing drums with his teacher online, I wasn't sure at first but they both said it went well so will continue. I want to make sure there's a teacher there for him to return to when this is all over.

Severorstay · 05/04/2020 17:43

Same as others - we went with it to make sure the great teacher he had was there after all this shitshow finds it’s new normal.
Teacher is using zoom - with phone or iPad pointed at the keyboard.
Thought it would be tricky but it’s turning out to be quite good. We have got a very nice young teacher though who is good with the tech - but so far I’m quite impressed with both the quality of the content and my DS’s behaviour, which has not always been ideal :)
So thumbs up from me.

Bonkersblond · 05/04/2020 17:52

DD Is having dance lessons via zoom at a reduced rate, We are continuing to pay for DS activities as want them to be there when this is all over, our dog walker won’t let us pay her not even a retainer, I just hope she comes back! At the moment we have no change in income but that might not always be the case, if I get laid off we might have to rethink who we continue to pay.

ChicCroissant · 05/04/2020 18:05

My DD plays the violin and is having online lessons via video - they seem to be going OK and she enjoys them so we are planning to continue for as long as necessary. We have already paid full price for the term and I'm happy with that.

feelingdizzy · 05/04/2020 18:09

My teens are continuing their guitar lessons,they dont have much else to do, their guitar teacher has been good to them they have been going for years,my income hasn't reduced so why not ,the kids seem to enjoy it.

Original poster

outthedoor1 · 05/04/2020 22:46

Good to know that generally lessons are going well.
Whattodo- “why wouldn’t you”
That was precisely the point of the thread- if the virtual lessons didn’t quite deliver and you or your DC were not happy with them then I wouldn’t expect you to continue paying for them especially over the long term.
This of course might be influenced by your interest in preserving the teacher’s job but that might also be balanced by your financial outlook.

OP posts:

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