How It Works:

Kathy Parsons has been successfully teaching online piano lessons since August 2007. Although the technology is still new, it works well, and students enjoy the convenience of having lessons in their own homes at a time that works for them.

Lessons are done with video-chat software that is free to download and to use from Skype, Google, or iChat (for Mac). The software is completely FREE to use as often as you want - no phone charges, no usage fees.

Many newer laptops have built-in camcorders that work great for this purpose. You just set up the computer near the piano or keyboard. You will be able to see me full-screen as well as a small box that shows what I'm seeing from my end, and the same is true from my computer. When I am talking or listening to you play, my camera will be on my face. When I play for you to demonstrate or make corrections to what you have played, my camera will be on my piano and hands so you can see as well as hear what I'm doing.

What You Will Need For Online Lessons:

- a piano or keyboard

- a computer that can be placed near your piano or keyboard

- a fast internet connection

1. -a webcam or camcorder (many newer computers have them built-in)
   

Before we start lessons, I will give you a short list of music needed, depending on your playing level. All will be easily available at music stores or online at Amazon or various composer websites. I teach a wide variety of music, allowing students to choose pieces they really like once the basics are learned. I will furnish worksheets that will help you with music theory and to better understand music in general. Lessons will be tailored to your needs and what you want to learn.

Lesson Details:

Because online lessons are more sophisticated than lessons involving a teacher sitting next to a student, Kathy would prefer to not start very young beginners. Beginners who are at least eight years old should do fine, and teens and adults should do especially well.

Lessons are weekly and are conducted in 45 minute sessions.

Lessons will be charged at $120 per month, including Kathy’s newsletter, "Pianotes," and supplies such as worksheets for learning the notes and music theory.

Please email Kathy with any questions: kathyparsonspiano@mac.com.

Free Trial:

                                                       

About Kathy Parsons:

Kathy Parsons has been teaching private piano lessons since January 1981. Based Hercules, CA (SF Bay Area) until July 1, 2007, Kathy has taught students from the age of 5-66, enjoying them all. She has been teaching via the internet since August 2007, and finds it fun, convenient for all, and very effective.

Kathy grew up in Oakland, CA, and started playing the piano at about age 5. Art and music were always the driving forces in her life, and she graduated with a BFA degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts in 1974. She started teaching piano a few years later, staying completely independent. She started writing a monthly newsletter for her students that opened a variety of doors, allowing her to communicate with many composers and artists, especially

as the so-called "new age" piano style began to grow. Finding new age to be a bridge between pop and classical music, Kathy discovered that students of all ages could readily identify with this style of music. As sheet music came into print, Kathy incorporated the best of it into her teaching repertoire. She also mixed contemporary composer bios and interviews into her newsletter along with the classical composers, and eventually started doing in-home student workshops with some of her favorite contemporary composers. The list of artists who have performed for and worked with Kathy's students is impressive, and includes David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, David Nevue, Robin Spielberg, Kevin Kern, Spencer Brewer, and many others.

The newsletter (Pianotes) and online music newgroups in the mid-90's led to Kathy become one of the staff writers for the print version of Bill Binkelman's "Wind and Wire" magazine. When that was discontinued, she was offered a place to continue writing CD reviews and artist interviews on the site that became Solo Piano Publications. She was the primary writer for that site until early 2008. Her own site (this one!) allows her to expand her endeavors into other areas, so keep watching for lots of new material.

Kathy moved to Florence, Oregon, on the central coast in July 2007, looking for a quieter lifestyle and to be closer to the ocean and nature. She continues to teach and write, and is looking forward to expanding her online piano lessons.