I used to say that I wasn't in love with the new technology but I liked some of the things that I can do with it. I'm not convinced that is still true. I've been enhancing the old and familiar with it for the last several years, but recently I've really started looking at it differently. It's been a slow conversion, to be sure, but I'm gradually replacing my fear with curiosity. And that's not easy for an old guy set in his ways.
I suppose that I could say that it started with creating my website, but I only did that because others convinced me that I needed to. I was a pretty easy sell, though, because they never really gave me a reason beyond "It's the future" or "You don't want to get left behind." I was never truly convinced until I started booking weddings and other gigs through my site without ever hearing my clients voice. Giving them the opportunity to pay online solidified it for me.
A few years ago, at a students request, I started giving make-up lessons online. We both stumbled at bit at first but we got the hang of it pretty quickly. I now have several regular students that I meet with weekly online. One is a former student who moved to Florida and continues to take lessons. Another adult summers in northern Michigan and winters in Costa Rica. We are able to have lessons throughout the year with only minor interruptions for travel. There are others scattered around the country that have somehow found me through the internet.
Online lessons allow me to do some things that I wouldn't be allowed to do at a music store. I can give away some free materials and email recordings. If I wanted, I could break up the lessons into 2 fifteen minute sessions instead of 1 thirty minute session. This wouldn't work in a physical location but will work nicely online. I've already recorded a couple of lessons and given the links to a few students. So they can access the demonstrations any time they wish. I intend to do many more in the future.
There are critics of course. One of the most common criticisms is "It isn't as good as being there in person." A similar criticism has been leveled at group lessons vs. private lessons. I suppose both criticisms would be valid if the purpose was to train future artists only. But different people learn music for different reasons and for them "performance" isn't always on the list. For some, learning in a group or learning online is, in fact, the better choice.
Nothing is perfect and online learning certainly has its problems. Every system has its flaws and I'm determined to overcome these flaws. But I'm convinced that online learning, in one form or another, is just getting started. And, so far, I like the possibilities and opportunities. If I can find a way to let others know about it and to overcome their hesitations then many who would not otherwise learn music may take the plunge.
I don't expect, nor do I want, online lessons to replace conventional lessons completely. But they can help to enhance lessons or reach out to those who won't or can't participate in conventional lessons. The future is either wondrous or scary. It just depends on whether we're fearful or curious.