Online Piano Lesson Programs - How to Choose

Learning to play the piano online is a great idea, but how to start? There are so many options that choosing one out of the many can me overwhelming.

One of the most common ways people usually start their search is to consider what kind of lessons they want. For example, do they want to play by ear, play by chords, or learn to read sheet music? The other thing people consider right off the top is how much the program costs.

Actually, neither of those things will help you determine the best online piano lesson program for you.

Here is what I suggest you look at when you’re evaluating potential programs to find the best match:

1. Support - How many forms of support are available? Are there online discussion forums with other students? Teacher recorded lessons? Quizzes and progress journals to keep you accountable?

2. Performance - Do you have opportunities to record and perform your playing to share with your teacher and online community?

3. Evaluation - How does the program track your progress and evaluate your success?

4. Guarantee - Is there a money-back guarantee? What is the time limit? Is it at least 120 days?

5. Content - How will you learn? Will you be playing by chords, reading sheet music, or playing by ear?

Did you notice that I mentioned content last on the list? Did that surprise you? While it might seem like your most important decision, it’s actually not the best determining factor of a quality program.

In fact, I am going to tell you a secret that will help you choose the best program for you as a beginner student. Sometimes it is less important WHAT you learn in your piano lessons than HOW you learn.

Anyone can put together a package of piano lessons and publish them online. What counts here is how the program is put together to support you in your learning. If you’re excited by everything else you’ve read about the program, AND it will teach you what you want to learn - to read music, play by chords, or play by ear - then that is your winning choice.

One word of caution: The last thing you want to consider is cost. If a program is perfect for you, it is worth the cost. A $30 program might sound great because it’s so affordable, but if it doesn’t meet your needs based on the above criteria, you’ll just be throwing the $30 away.

If you use this systematic method to shop for your online piano lesson program, you will find your perfect match.