More and more, families choose homeschooling because of the flexibility it offers in addition to the amount of control and involvement parents get to have in their child’s education. And this popular option is not just about learning the ABCs and 123s. Homeschooling should encompass a holistic education, in order to cultivate a versatile and well-rounded young person.
That’s why music education should be included in any homeschool curriculum. Learning music has benefits that include enhancing a child’s creativity, boosting self-esteem, developing motor-skills, and improving spatial reasoning.
A growing number of parents are aware of these benefits. However, there are some parents who may still neglect music education, simply because they believe that it isn’t as important as academic learning or picking up other life skills. Some parents also feel that it’s daunting to teach something that they don’t know very much about, particularly if they’ve never studied music themselves.
Thankfully, there’s a myriad of music-learning resources out there. No longer are you confined to only traditional lessons–where you pay a monthly fee for weekly face-to-face lessons, go along with a structured music curriculum, and have to travel to your music lesson at a specific place and time every week.
So, which would you pick: online or traditional music lessons? This article aims to help you make the right decision for your child.
The advent of technology has opened new doors and possibilities to everyone, no matter where you are or what your budget is. Online music lessons–whether on platforms such as YouTube or other online courses–are now available to you conveniently in your own home.
These online courses are often much cheaper or possibly even available free of charge. Sheet music, online tutorials, and even written guides about various instruments and music styles are also easily accessible with the click of a button.
Benefits of online music lessons for homeschooler
- They easily fit into your homeschooling curriculum time: Music lessons are a great way to inject some relaxation time or a change of pace into a busy day of academic learning. Since the learning will be taking place online, you won’t have to worry about things like last minute cancellations, inflexible lesson scheduling, or if the teacher simply doesn’t show up.
- They're more affordable: Traditional music lessons usually consider the entire cost of the provider–and can cost up to around US$60 per hour lesson! The cost includes things like the lesson venue or the cost and time taken for the teacher to travel to your home, if the lesson is not given at a studio. For that reason, online courses, which are usually subscription-based on a monthly payment model, are usually far more affordable.
- They’re convenient: Online lessons can occur, whatever the weather or location. You don’t have to worry about events such as the teacher falling ill and no time is wasted travelling. Your child can switch from learning English and Math–to music–just like that. In addition, you don’t have to lug a heavy instrument to and from to your lesson, or sit and wait for your child to finish his or her lesson.
- They offer versatility: If junior can’t decide whether he wants to learn the guitar or the violin, why not expose him to both? With online lessons, you can do that easily. Simply let your child voice his or her interest, and look for the suitable courses or videos.
- You can pick the best teacher for your child: When you’re searching for the best online music lessons for your child, feel free to check out online reviews of the programmes and the teachers so you’ll know what to expect. In this way, you can select the most suitable one for your child. Furthermore, if you’re based in a small city or a place where there aren’t many traditional lessons available, online lessons allow you to broaden your options beyond your location.
- They’re great for different paces of learning: Since you pay a set amount for a subscription-based online course per month, learning music online allows you to take the same lesson over and over again within that time frame, which can help if the child struggles through the lesson the first time! This repetition helps clarify concepts and strengthen the connections so that children are able to play passages more efficiently and faster. Additionally, this repetition allows the child to learn at his or her own pace–which suits homeschooling perfectly.
- They allow for better practising and warming up: Since you’re not time-bound when it comes to online music lessons, the child will be able to take his or her time warming up before the lesson and be better prepared for the new material. He or she can also practise immediately after the lesson–to further solidify and retain what is learnt.
- You can learn together with your child: Unlike traditional lessons, you can learn alongside your child when it comes to online lessons. This is particularly helpful if you’ve never been a musician yourself and if you want to pick up a new skill. Or, if you once knew how to play, brush back up on your skills. It’s also a great way to bond with your little one!
- They complement traditional lessons: Online lessons and traditional music lessons aren’t mutually exclusive, you can always do both at the same time! For instance, if you’re keen to try a different technique, instrument, or genre of music from your traditional lesson, an online lesson could be the way to go.
- Using technology is exciting: Anymore, technology and the internet especially, are so pervasive and important to everyday society that they are necessary to include in your child’s education. Why not take advantage of these fun new tools to help your child learn a new musical skill? Besides, being able to watch an online lesson can be an exciting and refreshing change for your child!
However, it’s important that you make sure you sign your child up for the right online music lesson, from an accredited website. Think about what you’re looking for in an online teacher–are you looking to learn solid techniques from well-qualified instructors? Are you looking for a structured curriculum? Are you simply looking to let your child pick up some basic skills while having fun along the way?
However, it’s important that you make sure you sign your child up for the right online music lesson, from an accredited website. Think about what you’re looking for in an online teacher–are you looking to learn solid techniques from well-qualified instructors? Are you looking for a structured curriculum? Are you simply looking to let your child pick up some basic skills while having fun along the way?
If you’re convinced that online music lessons are for you and your homeschooled child, check out some of the resources at Liberty Park Music.
Liberty Park Music provides affordable courses for piano, guitar, drums, and music theory. Choose from our three learning plans (from US$15 to US$99 a month), and you’ll be able to access music courses, online workshops, webinars, and much more!
Whether your child is a complete beginner or an early advanced musician, there's something for you. So, give it a go, and sign up for a 30-day free trial, now!
