For many people, online lessons still bring back memories of hastily organised video calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s understandable. But dedicated online music lessons are something quite different.

Technology has improved significantly, and so has the way I teach. My teaching studio is designed specifically for online lessons, with multiple camera angles, high-quality audio and a dedicated space that allows demonstrations and feedback to be clear and effective.

Online lessons also remove barriers that have always existed, not just since the pandemic.

Growing up in rural Queensland, I know what it’s like to want specialist teaching that simply isn’t available locally. When I was at school, the nearest double bass teacher was around a six-hour drive away!

Later, when I was living and working in Brisbane, I saw that distance could still be a barrier. Even in a major city, travelling across town for a regular in-person lesson isn’t always practical when you factor in work schedules, traffic and the challenge of transporting a double bass.

Online lessons mean you can learn from the teacher who best suits your goals, regardless of your postcode.

They also allow you to learn in your own environment, using the instrument and setup you practise with every day. For many people, this makes lessons more relevant and easier to incorporate into their lives.

I don’t see online lessons as a compromise. In many ways, I think they are the better option.