Smart Piano Provides Lesson Program Advice Amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects have more people turning to the power of music to help cope with their new realities. Whether looking to start a new instrument during stay-at-home orders or simply hoping to supplement canceled in-person lesson programs, The ONE Music Group and its network of piano schools are looking to provide music makers with an opportunity to continue playing.
Inspiration struck Ben Ye as he was trying to ignite the passion for piano in his son. Struggling to get his son interested in practicing, Ye harnessed the motivational power of screen time and made practicing the piano as fun as playing a game on a tablet utilizing a smart piano prototype. This prototype, which later evolved into the “world’s first and only upright, Apple MFI-certified digital piano,” and the new game like approach had Ye’s son learning his first song in just 20 minutes. The company reports more than 500,000 users across the globe experiencing the joy of playing 'The ONE Smart Piano,' which has helped aspiring musicians of all ages and levels fall in love with music.
The NAMM Member also developed The ONE Smart Piano Classroom which is a real-time, interactive, smart education system for teachers and schools to have group piano classes in a more efficient and enjoyable way. Ever since it was released in 2015, it has been implemented by 2000+ schools and workshops globally.
The ONE Music Group has been committed throughout the length of the COVID-19 pandemic to providing students with the opportunity to continue with their music education and their teachers an opportunity to continue doing what they love, teaching. Peggy Xu of The ONE Music Group commented on the decision to continue operations during the pandemic stating, “The purpose of offering an online piano class in COVID-19 status is nonprofit. Continuing online can help students keep practicing and cultivating their skills while they are isolated at home. We [The ONE Music Group] may not earn money from this, but we can keep teachers employed, enhance team cohesion, and stimulate students’ practice. That’s how we keep our business alive and plan to thrive once the lockdowns are over.”
Xu is offering her expertise to other lesson programs in hopes that others will be able to continue operations as well. She recommends:
- Duration: Two paths of instruction designed for either one month or one month+ dependent upon the predicted length of lockdown.
- Software: Zoom and The ONE Smart Piano Software. Optional: Sparring Sync App to allow students to finish assignments.
- Class Size: Both one-on-one and group lessons have their advantages and disadvantages. One-on-one classes allows for more attention to your students but may result in an extended instruction period. Group lessons offer an opportunity for greater teacher efficiency but are likely to require more proficient educators.
- Parent Communication: As parents’ step into teaching roles it is vital to keep lines of communication open, especially for younger students. Some tips include coming to an agreement about class schedule, understanding and testing Internet requirements, and determining if parents should accompany their children during the class. Communication can come in many forms including phone calls, social media chats, social media announcements, online activities, and group chats.
- Class Content: Without real-time body movement or games, online classes risk becoming boring, there may be a need to shorten class time to avoid losing student interest. Be flexible and evaluate the engagement of your lessons frequently.
- Follow-Up: Make sure to follow-up by reviewing the class, supervising student practice, curating videos for especially difficult points, and consolidating the skill.
For more information about The ONE Music Group, please visit https://www.smartpiano.com/.