When the pandemic hit, swarms of people gravitated to learning new hobbies and skills.
From DIY wall murals to baking to gardening–the opportunity to learn something new was truly endless since we were spending more time at home. Personally, I decided to dabble in learning how to play the guitar. My entire life I’ve been huge into rock and alternative music and have always admired members of my favourite bands shredding on the guitar. While I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will probably never achieve that skill level, I still made it a priority to challenge myself by learning how to play.
When I first decided to learn how to play, the pandemic was still at its height meaning my only option was virtual classes and tutorials. Now that the pandemic is starting to die down, I’ve decided to take onsite guitar lessons in Toronto. Both options have their pros and cons depending on your personal preferences and today, I’m going to tell you why!
Benefits of guitar lessons in Toronto
As with learning any new skill, there are a number of benefits to in-person guitar lessons in Toronto.
Class size: Most music schools will allow you to choose between group classes and private lessons. Depending on your skill level, confidence, and personal preferences, you may want to choose one or the other. With virtual lessons, you don’t typically have the option to choose a group class as it can get extremely confusing over the computer. Additionally, it can be much easier to learn how to play a new instrument when you don’t have to deal with possible technological
issues such as bad wifi or a laggy video.
Onsite corrections: When you’re learning in-person, your instructor is right there to help you catch any mistakes and teach you how to correct them. This can be done with ease in both private and group classes.
Deep instructor/student connection: The chance to form a deeper relationship and bond with your instructor is much higher when you take onsite guitar lessons. This connection allows for an overall better experience for both teacher and student. Plus, it offers the opportunity for both parties to better understand what the teaching/learning style of each individual is.
In-home vs. in-studio: Certain music schools will offer in-person classes right from the comfort of your own home. If you are worried about the pandemic, have a busy schedule, or would have trouble commuting to a studio, in-home lessons are a great option for you!
Challenges of in-person guitar lessons
Along with the benefits of in-person guitar lessons in Toronto, there are of course a few drawbacks to consider.
Health precautions: Although the pandemic is starting to die down, it has not completely gone away. This is a huge challenge to taking guitar lessons in Toronto, especially if you or a close relative are immunocompromised.
Pricing: Depending on where you’re attending music lessons and if you opt for private or group lessons, typically onsite classes tend to be more expensive when compared to online classes.
Flexibility: Everyone has a different schedule and freedoms when it comes to commuting and travel. If you have a very limited schedule or aren’t able to commute on a regular basis, in-person guitar classes in Toronto may not be the best fit for you. This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing between onsite and virtual classes.
Benefits of online guitar lessons
On the flip side, virtual guitar lessons also offer several benefits:
Lower pricing: While it all depends on your music school, many instructors will offer discounted pricing for online guitar lessons. This is because there is no need for commuting and travel for virtual classes.
Safety: If you are worried about your health and safety as it relates to COVID-19, virtual guitar lessons may be the best option for you. You are able to stay in the comfort of your own home while still honing in on a new skill!
No commute time: Taking online guitar lessons gives you all the flexibility you may need. Not only are you able to cut down on commute time but you are also able to easily find time that fits your busy schedule. Also, you can even take lessons when you’re not home such as during travel or visiting family! The options are truly endless when it comes to virtual guitar lessons in Toronto.
Ultimate comfort: Sometimes being in new spaces can trigger a sense of nervousness–especially when trying to learn a new skill. Playing from the comfort of your own home may allow you to open up more and really focus on the skill-building at hand.
Challenges of online guitar lessons
Difficulty catching mistakes: Unlike onsite guitar lessons in Toronto, virtual lessons can sometimes make it difficult for your teacher to catch those little details which can make learning to play a bit harder.
Technical difficulties: If you’ve been working or going to school from home, you know there is always the chance for technical difficulties. This could mean slow wifi, lag, a bad camera/microphone, or glitchy software.
At-home distractions: Depending on your living situation, learning to play an instrument at home can be difficult if you have to overcome different distractions. This is especially true if you do not have your own private space. With in-person classes, this risk is mitigated as everyone there is working towards the same goal!
Reversed image: Most tele-conferencing softwares like Zoom, project a reversed image onto the computer. This can make it difficult to learn how to play guitar when you’re looking at a reversed image model. That said, most softwares do offer the option to record without the mirrored option which is important to keep
in mind!
The best guitar lessons in Toronto
Whether you’re opting for in-person or online guitar lessons in Toronto, let our team of highly trained instructors help you learn how to play a new instrument! Greater Toronto Music School is currently open for online and in-home private music lessons. This means that you can choose which type of guitar lessons you’re comfortable taking and what best meets your needs! You can learn more details about our guitar lesson offerings here.
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