Online piano lessons by video exchange with a certified music teacher and professional musician

Read on to find out more about how online piano lessons by video exchange work and why they are so effective.

I've been taking weekly video exchange lessons with Ruth for fourteen months now. I started with very little piano experience, and I have learned several dozens of classical pieces during that time. Ruth makes very good choices of repertoire that covers various styles and time periods. My technique has improved a lot. I've learned a lot about rhythm, dynamics, articulation, phrasing. The main focus has been playing real music, not technical exercises.

Ruth provides you video demonstrations for each assignment. This gives you a clear goal: you hear and see what your performance should be like. When recording your video you listen to yourself and analyze your playing. Ruth gives you very clear and detailed feedback for each assignment, so that you understand immediately what needs to be improved. Ruth is a very knowledgeable and encouraging teacher. I've felt inspired all the time since I started taking lessons with Ruth.
Andrei, August 2018

​For my online piano lessons, instead of providing generic piano tutorials, I actually listen to your playing, identify your needs, and show you how to progress.

How it works:

Simply send me a video of your playing, and receive a video/email response with constructive feedback and a personalised assignment to help you improve.

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I had been learning piano with weekly face to face lessons, from a local teacher, for about two years when the first pandemic lockdown put paid to all that. As an older adult, with no musical background, I felt I had invested quite a lot of time and effort already and didn’t want to lose it all, so I looked around for an on-line alternative. That’s when I found Ruth and I’m so glad I did.
We started off with a couple of ‘video link’ lessons, which were a great way to introduce ourselves and get to know each other a little. Ruth immediately came across as very supportive and encouraging, coupled with a strong sense of calmness and patience as I struggled to play on live video. However, I was worried that if I couldn’t demonstrate my developing skills adequately on a video link it would be difficult to move forward. To help get over my performance nerves, Ruth suggested that another option that she calls ‘video exchange’, might suit me better and we have found that this weekly regime works really well.
It works like this: Ruth sends me a lesson plan for the week by email, often with one or more short video links so that I can see and hear her demonstrating how to play a piece (we both have copies of a workbook or piece of music we are working on).  During the week I make video recordings of my own playing of the various exercises and pieces, and then upload them to Google Drive (you could use other platforms). I can then copy a link address for each of my recordings into my email reply to Ruth so that she can view them.
Some of the great things about this process include having a written record of each lesson plan (that I can refer back to in the future) and having video examples of how to play correctly. It’s also extremely helpful to be able to look at my own videos to see and hear how I am playing, check my hand positions and timing etc.
I’m quite used to self-directed study at home so I’m very comfortable with this arrangement. I’m also enjoying learning more music theory and Ruth is brilliant at replying to email requests for help and providing detailed feedback on my progress on both theory and practice. She also has a lot of helpful guidance on various topics available on her web-site. Other students might find it useful to supplement video exchanges with occasional face-to-face video link sessions.
In conclusion, I think this is an excellent way to learn to play. I have all the benefits of working with my own personal and very experienced piano teacher, combined with the flexibility to practice and record my efforts at times when it suits me.
Thank you so much, Ruth.
Kathryn, May 2021

Please note, video exchange lessons are most suited to intermediate/advanced learners or near beginners who have already started playing/learning (either having had a few basic lessons, or having got started with some online tutorials or a tutor book). To find out whether you are eligible for video exchange lessons, read on or contact me.

​If you are a complete beginner and have never played a piano or keyboard, you may want to consider Skype lessons instead.

​If you want to learn piano, but you think you don't have time for regular private lessons, video exchange lessons are the solution.

With video exchange piano lessons, you receive private and personal tuition from a professional musician without having to fit in a regular predefined time slot for lessons. Because the communication between you and the teacher is by correspondence rather than in real time, you and the teacher don't have to be available at the same time. You can have your lessons whenever it suits you. 

You can also adjust the frequency of lessons to suit your budget and/or schedule. Lessons can be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Whatever suits you.

Ruth, I have had time to absorb all your feedback, your attention to detail, is second to none! Also, your subtleness and encouragement, allows me to strive even more. Thank you so much.
Kim Morley, August 2023

Online piano lessons by video exchange - combining the best of two worlds: online tutorials and private one-to-one tuition.

With online piano lessons by video exchange, you get all the pros of online self-learning and private tuition, without the cons. 

Pros of online piano tutorials (self-learning)

• Convenient - view the tutorials at any time that suits you. Easy to fit learning into your schedule.
• Low cost due to no travel expenses.

Cons of online piano tutorials (self-learning)

• Easy to get into bad habits because no-one is there to point out something you're doing wrong.
• Hard to progress beyond a certain point, because there is no tutor to identify your specific needs and recommend how to move forwards.

Pros of private 1-to-1 tuition (in-person)

• Receive feedback and guidance from a professional tutor.
• Tutor can tell you where/if you're going wrong and how to fix it.

Cons of private 1-to-1 tuition (in-person)

• In-person private lessons are more expensive due to travel cost, or cost of covering teacher's travel.
• ​You have to find time in your schedule for a set lesson time every week, as well as allow time to get to it. 

Because online piano lessons by video exchange are not a form of self-learning, and do not involve in-person tuition, you avoid these pitfalls. Instead you gain all the benefits of online learning, as well as professional and personal tuition.

What are online piano lessons by video exchange?

Online piano lessons by video exchange are a form of distance learning, and involve communication via time shifted video, as opposed to live video calls. This means you send a short video of your playing, and I respond with typed feedback and an assignment that addresses your specific needs. My feedback may include video demonstrations of any necessary corrections or suggestions. If I have a suggestion for a new piece, study or exercise to learn that I think would particularly suit your needs, I may include a demonstration of it, as well as sheet music (if it is in the public domain). I can also help you with sight reading, or learning to read music, and provide assessment and advice on any of your sight reading attempts. If you are struggling to work out how to play part of a particular piece of music, I can provide video demonstrations and a breakdown of how to approach it. During the course of regular correspondence lessons, depending on what needs focus, I will help you work on a range of aspects of musicality, including: technique, phrasing, expression, rhythm and reading music.

Feedback from a qualified tutor is vital for the learning process.

When you are learning any musical instrument, feedback from a qualified teacher is essential to ensure you learn correct technique and don't get into bad habits. In order to progress, you need to know what you're doing wrong. You also need to know what you're doing right. You can certainly learn a lot from one of the many widely available free online piano lesson tutorials, and they can be a great place to start, but you don't get the benefit of feedback from a qualified tutor.  Feedback is one of the most important aspects of receiving any kind of tuition.

Tuition by correspondence means convenience.

​The fact that the video communication is time shifted means that you can take the lessons whenever it is convenient for you, rather than struggling to fit a set time into your busy schedule. Also, you can avoid any connectivity problems which can arise during live video calls. 

Online video exchange piano lessons are more effective than traditional lessons in many ways.

They are an effective method of learning piano, due to:

• The convenience.
• The ability to repeatedly view instructions and demonstrations.
• The motivating effect of recording yourself and having a goal to aim for each week - having a regular assignment and aiming to record the results of your practice at regular intervals tends to spur on progress.
• The fact that recording yourself trains you to really learn how to perform; and critique your own playing. It will also help build confidence in your playing. Even with my in-person students, I have frequently recommended that they regularly record themselves due to these benefits. With video exchange lessons, recording yourself is an integral part of the process. 

Receive the same amount of tuition as you would during a standard in-person lesson.

​I have extensive experience of teaching piano lessons in person to many students (more than 25 years of experience, having started teaching at a very young age), as well as online. Consequently I am able to judge what would be a suitable amount of learning for your weekly assignment, and ensure you receive the same amount of tuition as you would in an average weekly in-person lesson. Based on your individual needs, I aim to provide you with an assignment that gives you enough to practise for the week to keep you moving forwards, without overwhelming you. Alternatively, assignments can be fortnightly or monthly, depending on your budget or schedule. Whatever the frequency, each lesson (a lesson is one exchange of videos/emails with feedback and assignment) is comparable to a standard in-person lesson.

You never need to worry about trying to get the perfect performance during your recording.

Don't be scared about recording yourself! Sometimes online piano students are initially worried about recording themselves. However, there is no need to feel self conscious, embarrassed or intimidated about recording yourself. I am here to help, and it helps me as a teacher to see what kind of problems you're having, and what kind of mistakes you're making so that I know how I can help you. Imagine, if all your recordings were of you playing perfectly, there would be nothing for me to instruct! What's more, your videos will be private and I will never share them without your permission. 

You don't even have to show your face or speak during your videos if you don't want to, so don't be shy. Any questions or comments you have can be emailed to me. The most important thing is for me to be able to see your hands on the piano keyboard so that I can check your position and technique. Of course if it is easier for you to ask your questions during your videos, then do so.  

I have never been so inspired or in love with the piano as I have been for the past few months whilst having lessons from Ruth. I am a returning adult learner learning through distance learning with Ruth. I have had in-person lessons with various other teachers in the past and honestly feel as though distance learning is so much more beneficial! Ruth is fantastic at explaining things via email and videos, you can tell she really does put a lot of time into things and never rushes her feedback. Not only do I strongly recommend Ruth as a piano teacher but I also strongly recommend distance learning as a method. I am hoping to soon start preparing for my grade 6 exam with Ruth and feel every confidence that she will be able to get me there!
Hayley, October 2018

Read more reviews about my online piano lessons and my teaching in general.

Learn to play piano online with a qualified and experienced instructor.

If you choose to learn piano with an experienced and qualified piano teacher, you can ensure you learn the right way. This helps you avoid developing bad habits and having your progress hit a wall. In the long run, this makes your piano lessons more rewarding. Read about my credentials.

You can watch a few videos of my piano playing here: Brahms Intermezzo, Mendelssohn Venetian Gondola Song or Beethoven Rondo. I have published many more videos on this site too, these are just a small selection. You can find more by using the navigation menu or following the links on the video pages listed above.

Pricing

Frequency of lessons to suit your budget.

£16.50 GBP per lesson. Pay by credit/debit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay via secure online checkout (or bank transfer is an option if you are in the UK) ​. Pay as you go, or pay for a block of lessons in advance. This is for roughly the equivalent amount of tuition of an in-person half hour lesson. If you need extra tuition per lesson, we can discuss pricing options. You can find out how much to send per lesson (i.e. how many videos and of what length) here.

It doesn't matter what your currency is, or where in the world you are. The secure online checkout will still allow you to pay sterling.

Ruth is a great teacher! Very supportive and always answers my questions. I have found her online lessons perfectly fit in with my busy lifestyle. I can re-view her videos and emailed instructions (I obviously don't get things first time round!) I can also see my progress as it's all recorded and saved. And I find that really motivating. She has personalised every lesson. I can even learn away from the piano... so no excuses! Haha! And I love her cat that makes an appearance every now and then in the videos. I've nicknamed him 'Cameo Cat'
Sarah, August 2018

Read more about me.

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Exchanging videos via free video sharing platforms.

The process is simple. You just record yourself performing your practised work using your smartphone, tablet or a webcam. Then you upload your video to a video sharing platform such as Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo or Dropbox. You can choose to make your videos private in your settings, and be reassured that when you share your videos with me, I will not share them with anyone else without your permission. ​​Next, you email me a link to your video, and I will give you coaching and further instructions based on what I have seen and heard. 

Replay, zoom in and pause videos for more effective learning.

Watching a video rather than a live performance allows me to pick up a lot more detail, and thus give better advice -  I can replay the video to ensure I haven't missed anything, and zoom in for a closer view of your hand positions and fingering. This works both ways - the demonstration videos I send to you can be replayed, paused and zoomed in for greater efficiency of learning.

Free sheet music.

​For your weekly or fortnightly assignments, I can provide you with free sheet music from public domain sources, or we can work from purchased sheet music of your choice.

Personalised to suit you.

​​My online piano lessons are tailored to your needs and preferences. You can learn just for fun or prepare for graded exams if you wish. Whichever you prefer, I will formulate a piano course that suits you personally and choose pieces and exercises that build on your individual strengths and develop your weaker areas in order to help you progress. I am also happy to help you work on repertoire of your choice. If you want to prepare for graded exams, I mainly follow the ABRSM exam syllabus. However I do prepare students for other exam boards too.

Ruth is an amazing teacher.. i had distance lessons with her by email and video and it worked really well! Ruth is brilliant at seeing what you need and breaking down into into easily digestable chunks.. patient and insightful - i have had to stop lessons for now but will be resuming as soon as i can!
Charlie, August 2018

How can you be sure that the piano teacher you choose is actually a skilled pianist? This is very important if you want to learn piano, and the only way to find out is by watching and listening to them play, so watch me play piano.

Watch more of my piano videos.

onlinepiano@ruthpheasantpianolessons.com

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Do online piano lessons by video exchange seem like a radical idea?

​Video exchange lessons are not a new or unique concept - they go right back to last century. Before the days of the internet, teachers and students used to mail video cassettes and papers as part of correspondence courses. Distance learning and correspondence courses were popularised by such organisations as The Open University. These made it possible for people with busy lives and full time commitments to study remotely, and still receive feedback on their work from a tutor, just as in traditional classes. 

Of course, now we have the huge advantage of email, allowing study materials and videos to be received instantly. But the advantage of correspondence is that you can reply to emails when it suits you. Consequently more and more music teachers are taking advantage of the benefits of video exchange lessons, either to supplement their weekly in-person lessons, or replace them altogether. 

Online distance learning has allowed me ​to teach students all over the world; including Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, USA, Czech Republic, and of course my own country, the UK. Time shifted correspondence means you don't have to be in the same time zone as me in order to receive tuition.

In essence, the logistics of online piano lessons are as follows:

A student emails me after practising according to my instructions, and shows me the results of that practice via links to private videos uploaded to YouTube; Google Drive; or similar. The email may include any comments or questions. I respond with feedback and further instructions. I normally aim to send feedback within a couple of working days.

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​The practicalities of online piano lessons.

Equipment
​You don't need to use any complicated or expensive equipment to participate in online piano lessons (unless you want to). All you need is a smart phone, tablet or web cam.

Video Sharing Platforms
Google Drive, One Drive, YouTube, Google Photos, WhatsApp and more.

Compressing Videos
When you record your videos they can be a very large file size at first - compressing them makes them much quicker and easier to share and store. There are lots of simple to use video compression apps available for free, just have a look in the app store of whatever phone or tablet you use, and take your pick, or ask me for recommendations. Then you can reduce the file size of your videos so that they upload to your chosen file sharing platform more quickly (or you can email them if you make them small enough) and take up less storage space on your device.

​Privacy and Personalisation
I teach private lessons. Unlike a lot of online learning systems I choose pieces of music and exercises that suit you personally, you have personal interaction with me by correspondence, and you get personalised feedback rather than relying on a database of pre-recorded generic instruction videos and then not knowing whether you're doing it right or not. Also, any recordings are only viewed by me. In this way my video piano lessons follow the same principle as traditional private one to one lessons.

Sheet Music
Both you and I will need to own and refer to copies of the same sheet music. I can either provide free public domain sheet music downloads (music that is out of copyright) or recommend sheet music to buy. Some people like to have a tutor book that they can work through with my guidance, and prefer an actual physical book of sheet music as opposed to PDF downloads. I own a lot of good piano music books which I can recommend to you, that way we can ensure we both have the same music. However if you would rather save money there is a vast selection of sheet music that is out of copyright and free to download, and I am happy to provide you with music in that form. You can also find free public domain sheet music on this website: IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library

Any Level or Ability
I offer distance learning for any level. If you are a complete beginner and would like to learn how to read music this is something I can teach you. Equally if you already know how to read music and have been playing the piano for some time, I am happy to help. This method of learning is particularly useful for self taught pianists who want a bit of professional guidance without committing financially and otherwise to traditional lessons. 


Classical Training
I specialise in classical training. With proper classical training you can pick up any style of music you like, whether you prefer pop, rock, jazz or blues. If you only take training in pop/rock/jazz/blues etc. styles, you are restricted to only being able to play this kind of music and your progress can hit a wall. With classical training you learn proper technique and your understanding of music is broadened. Consequently other styles of music become so much easier to pick up. I do teach all styles.