I had my first internet cello lesson today. It was supposed to be yesterday with Skype. Didn’t quite work out and rescheduled for today with FaceTime. My instructor had a mini he hadn’t used in a long time and set it up so we could use that.

Please do not ask what happened with Skype because I really would rather this thread does not meander. I request you stay on topic with comments and questions for others who may be considering FaceTime for lessons.

It went very smoothly. I had my iPad Pro holder set up so that my instructor would be able to see me, my fingering and bowing from the front, or almost front view. It worked, he was able to see and hear clearly. 

I had my music we were working on on my music stand. I had a wooden stool beside me with a notepad, pencil, eraser and music we had recently worked on, and rosin. Everything was in easy reach, but not in the way of fingering and bowing.

It was fantastic! I could clearly see what he was showing me of his fingering, and he could clearly see me. In the studio in the music store, we have to sit angled side-by-side. It was hard to see what he was doing, and the same for him with me. And, what I was seeing of his demos, we not of the proper angle so the perspective was off. I would assume the same was true for him watching my fingering and bowing.

We were able to play together because there was no time delay. That could change depending on how busy the internet is lesson to lesson.  

It was easier to take notes because I had the wooden stool with the notepad and pencil. I could hang up the bow on the stand hook my husband made me, steady and hold my cello, and just use my right hand to wrote down the notes. I could not do that in the studio. I was not able to juggle the bow and cello, and there is no hard surface to put any paper or notebook on to write. Setting it on the floor until I need it does not work because the cello is so large. 

So, my impression and thoughts are as follows. Based on the first FaceTime lesson, I prefer, it to going into the studio.

1. I did not have to haul the cello into the store and studio.
2. Because I did not have to haul my instrument in, I was able to warm up right before the session and start my lesson after warming up. In the studio lessons, I would play before heading out, pack up the instrument, drive to the lesson, unpack the instrument and get settled, it was like I never warmed up. Makes a big difference.
3. Because I was home, after my session ended, I was able to play a little bit of what we went over. Knee issues prevented me from sitting as long as I wanted while the session was fresh, but it was better than not being able to play right after the lesson.

My thoughts are that I am hoping we can continue with it this way, even after the store is able to open again, If I am not feeling well, but good enough to have a lesson, I would still be able to have my lesson. I am very strict about not wanting to bring illnesses into places and do cancel my lessons if I am sick. 

Would I recommend using FaceTime lessons to other people? Yes, I would. I am not sure about a person who has had no instruction. I am not sure how easy it would be to learn proper bow hold and beginning bowing. But, that ability would vary per student. I, surprisingly, was very relaxed. Much more so than at the store studio. This would also vary per student. 

Even given the issue with learning proper bow hold and bowing, if a person has no way to do studio lessons to get started with bow hold and bowing, I would recommend even the beginner try it starting with bow hold and bowing with FaceTime.

👍👍👍👍👍