Favorite Online Music Teaching Resources of 2021
In this post, I’m sharing my five favorite online teaching tools of 2021.
If you teach online, even occasionally, these tools can improve your experience and make your life easier.
Note: This is not the list you might expect!
I’ve already shared a basic, getting-started-online list of recommendations.
I’ve also shared a list of resources that helped me run a virtual studio while traveling and, while there’s a little overlap with that list, there will be some surprises here.
These are tools you might not think of - surprises that have made my life SO much simpler, and my students’ musical experience richer.
Resource 1: Digital Games
My online lessons are only 30” long, so games are a rare treat. When I use them, it’s for a purpose and usually a special occasion.
My requirements for digital games are:
They must be multi-level (SIMPLICITY)
They must engage my students quickly - and, ideally, make them laugh
They must be easy for me to figure out and run
I have THREE favorite sources for digital games. They fit my criteria and allow for easy lesson planning.
1. Julie Duda’s Creative Games Store
I’m currently obsessed with is Julie’s Christmas “Time for Cats.” It offers a wide range of challenge, the cat graphics are ADORABLE, and the instructions are clear and simple.
Julie is the piano-student-game-whisperer. She creates fun, innovative games for all types of lessons. She makes my life easier while motivating my students to work hard - while laughing.
2. Jennifer Foxx’s Music Educator Resources Store
Another favorite source for digital games is Jennifer Foxx’s store. When I needed games in specific levels to use as prizes, she had a game for every student and situation. They are simple to purchase and use; I love how she utilizes the QR code for easy student access.
3. Leila Viss’s Digital Escape Rooms
Finally, my go-to for online group classes is Leila Viss’s digital escape room games. My students love them; the Christmas Staycation set was particularly memorable (I think the parents got a kick out of watching, as well).
Resource 2: Digital Badge Boards
Occasionally, my students need a specific practice challenge. When I had an in-person studio, I used practice chart posters so students could benefit from peer motivation.
Once we were online, I struggled with the lack of peer motivation during practice challenges.
Then I discovered digital badge boards (thank you forever, Leila Viss).
A digital badge board is an interactive, online chart that everyone can see.
You can allow students to edit their own progress, or you can control all of the editing.
I’ve used them for practice-a-thons, collaborative composition projects, rote challenges, and general practice tracking. They adapt to a wide range of uses.
Leila Viss does a lovely job of demonstrating how to create a digital badge board - and she also sells a set of beautiful, premade digital badge boards in case you aren’t dying to jump in and create them from scratch - there is a bit of a learning curve.
If you aren’t utilizing digital badge boards, this is a resource that can offer big returns in your studio.
Resource 3: Vimeo
Okay, here’s where I really veer away from what you might’ve expected.
A couple of years ago, Jeremy and I developed an online piano program for children. In the course of building, we needed a video hosting platform that allowed full control of privacy, branding, and other elements.
Vimeo was the platform that fit our requirements, so I gulped and paid for an upgraded subscription.
I’ve never looked back. I use Vimeo for EVERYTHING now - including with my online studio.
It’s so easy to create a rote video, a quick lesson tutorial, or anything else to share with my online students. I upload, adjust the privacy settings, remove branding, and BOOM:
I have a clean, professional video to share with my students that is easy for everyone.
Because of how frequently I record, Vimeo has been worth every penny I pay for it. I like it so much more than YouTube because there are no ads, no Vimeo branding, no “watch more” suggestions at the end, and videos are easy to organize and manage.
Particularly as I’ve integrated a virtual music studio (while traveling, over a holiday, etc.), Vimeo has become one of my most valuable studio tools.
Resource 4: Parent Duets
Now I’m moving even further from what you might’ve expected in a list of resources - but hear me out:
Online lessons don’t usually offer the same opportunity to play music with peers. And giving students the joy of collaborative experience is a high priority for me.
So this year, I’ve turned our focus toward playing with family members. I’ve used simple patterns and challenges to motivate students to invite parents (or siblings) to play along with them.
And it’s worked!
As I’ve asked parents increasingly over the years to join in with simple patterns, I see they have become more willing - and less nervous - to jump in and play. It multiplies the joy and pride that parents AND kids experience in music.
To encourage parents to join in, I’ll use an instruction video outlining a simple pattern by rote. The intro to The Addams Family, for example, or the Chopsticks theme (while students play increasingly harder variations).
Often a parent is able to play a simple bassline - or even a rhythm with clapping, snapping, or shaking jingle bells around the holidays.
Families playing music together - usually while laughing - is the pinnacle of success for me.
Resource 5: Airpods Pro
I have a love-hate relationship with Apple and the way they’ve co-opted seemingly every corner of my life.
That said, my tech-savvy husband convinced me to get my first pair of Airpods this year as we were preparing to travel abroad for several months.
Previously, I’ve used headphones for teaching, as they eliminate feedback for my students. But they were large, and - let’s be honest - even great headphones aren’t super comfortable after the first few hours. Plus I had to plug them into my computer and stay within cord range.
Then came the Airpods. I pop them in and, honestly, I forget I’m wearing them.
They do a good job of noise cancellation, are light and comfortable, and they’re basically invisible to my students. And I can move around the room as needed!
So, while I’m not eager to promote an Apple product and contribute to their world takeover, I have to say that my Airpods (the Pro version) have significantly improved my teaching hours...and I wouldn’t go back.
Your Turn:
Have you used any of the tools I mentioned? How have you felt about them?
What online teaching tools have contributed to your success this year?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
