When people first think about online piano lessons, one of the most common questions is:
Can online lessons really work as well as in-person lessons?
The short answer is yes — provided the student is committed, the setup is right, and the lessons are taught properly. I got proof of this recently when one of my online students was awarded a Spotlight Award from the Royal Irish Academy of Music for his exam performance.
This student has never come to Cork for a lesson. We have never been in the same room. Every session has been online. Yet with regular work, careful preparation, and a structured approach, he achieved an exam result strong enough to receive special recognition from the RIAM.
That is worth reflecting on.
The 2020 Pandemic Was Bad for Online Piano Teaching
Let me be direct: I have a feeling, rather counterintuitively, that online music tuition — and piano in particular — took a bit of a reputation blow during the pandemic of 2020–2022.
One would think that with restrictions in place, people had all the time to embrace the new medium. What happened instead is that many teachers and students scrambled in a frenzy to catch up with the technology in order to keep working and learning, which resulted in a very poor user experience.
While instruments such as guitar, bass, violin, and cello can be taught successfully with the single front-facing camera built into a laptop, the piano setup for online lessons requires a different design. In a previous article I talk in detail about how to optimise the student’s setup.
Add to that the proliferation of “Revolutionary Piano Online Courses” offered by a number of snake oil sellers, promising the moon and cashing in on people’s sudden loss of purpose during that time, and there it is: a perfect storm which damaged the reputation of online piano learning.
A Spotlight Award, Achieved Entirely Online
A student who learns 100% online recently received a Spotlight Award from the RIAM for his exam preparation. That is recognition of a genuinely strong performance — a testament to the student’s sense of style, musical flair, and innate musicality. It is also proof that once the student is committed, his family is supportive, and the tech setup is properly organised, online lessons are a medium for success.
What Made This Student’s Progress Possible?
A strong exam result never comes down to one lesson or one trick. It is the result of several things working together over time.
In this case: regular online lessons, clear practice goals between sessions, focused work on technique, rhythm, expression, and exam pieces — and a musically gifted student who listened carefully, made corrections, and kept showing up consistently. Support at home made a difference too.
Then there is my own setup: I use multiple camera angles so students can see the keyboard, hands, poise, body movements, and musical examples clearly. Good audio is non-negotiable — because playing piano is not only about producing the right notes. Tone, rhythm, phrasing, balance, and musical expression all need to be heard properly. The technology is there to support the teaching, not get in the way of it.
Can Online Students Prepare for RIAM Exams?
Yes — as long as the lessons are structured and the student has a suitable instrument and setup at home. Exam preparation can cover everything it would in person: pieces, scales, technical work, sight-reading, aural training, rhythm, theory, musical understanding, and building confidence before the exam day itself.
Students can record practice performances between sessions, review lesson notes, or send short video clips to check specific technical points. Likewise, the teacher can record short video demonstrations on passagework, annotate sheet music, or record the whole lesson for later review. And for many students, removing the commute makes it easier to maintain a consistent weekly routine.
Who Are Online Piano Lessons Suitable For?
Online lessons work particularly well for adult beginners, returning players, exam students, intermediate players who want to improve their abilities, and students outside Cork who don’t want to limit themselves to whoever happens to teach nearby.
They are not the perfect fit for everyone. Very young beginners certainly benefit from in-person support at the early stages. But for students who can concentrate well and practise independently, online lessons are a serious and effective option.
The Real Lesson from This Award
The Spotlight Award is a lovely achievement and this student should be very proud of it. But it also says something broader: online piano lessons can lead to serious, recognised, award-worthy progress.
If you’d like to find out more about how online lessons work, you can read about my setup and approach on the Online Piano Lessons in Ireland page. And if you’d like to discuss availability, get in touch — I’m looking forward to hearing your story.
