Oboe Studio Online Lessons

Benefits of Online Oboe Lessons

Online music lessons offer some unique advantages. The most obvious is that learning a musical instrument with all its benefits – physical, intellectual and psychological – may continue when distance or the need to isolate occurs. There are times when parents are too unwell to drive their child to a lesson, or they have a schedule clash that would make it hard to drop off or collect their child, or for a myriad of other reasons – online lessons will always be available for convenience and ease of access.

I am excited to offer online lessons on an instrument for which there are few teachers in rural areas. As a teenager living in country Queensland I had to travel a five-hour round trip to access oboe lessons in Brisbane. Online lessons would have made many of these long drives unnecessary. Woodwind generalists do a great job giving rural and remote students their first lessons, but will be supported by students also having access to online lessons from a specialist teacher.

There are other interesting benefits to online music lessons. Lessons may be recorded by the student to play back during their practice and reinforce the lesson – it is like having the teacher there with you all week reminding you of the particular aspects on which you should focus. If the student has their lessons on a tablet or phone that does not have recording capacity, I am happy to provide the links to the Zoom recording at the completion of the lesson via email.

I also write notes during each lesson that are sent on to the student/parent. As I cannot write anything into the student’s music in an online situation, these notes provide the information they need to mark fingerings, definitions of terms, counting of rhythms, and ways of approaching technical challenges. It also clearly defines the work that has been covered in the lesson and should be practised during the week, something many parents greatly appreciate!

I am also able to provide audio recordings of myself playing the music students are studying so they have an aural reference of the tempo, rhythms and phrasing. These can be sent via text or email outside of the lesson time at no extra charge. I have found this to be a valuable tool in assisting the speed and accuracy of learning.

**Please note that due to a NSW government policy change, I am no longer able to redeem Creative Kids Vouchers for online lessons.**

Reeds

Students are advised on the purchase of oboe reeds suitable for their particular needs, taking into account their playing level, the instrument they are using and their playing situation, for example solo work or ensemble playing.

Advice is also available in all aspects of reed making and reed adjustment as the student advances.

AMEB Music Craft, Music Theory and Musicianship

Tuition in Music Theory and Musicianship (up to Grade 4) are available as an add-on to oboe lessons – please add 15 minutes to regular lesson time.

Guidelines for lesson length

30 minutes: suitable for a beginner to AMEB 3rd grade

45 minutes: suitable for AMEB 4th and 5th grades

60 minutes: suitable for AMEB 6th grade and above

Tuition Fee Structure – Online Delivery

30 minute lessons: $56.00 ($560 per 10 Week Term)
45 minute lessons: $81.50 ($815 per 10 Week Term)
60 minute lessons: $106.00 ($1060 per 10 Week Term)

Online lessons are generally taken in as a ten-week block, invoiced per term. They can be used in combination with face-to-face lessons.

Trial, holiday and casual lessons are available on request and subject to my availability, and are charged at the same rates per lesson.

Terms and Conditions for Online Lessons

1. Lessons are delivered weekly, or twice weekly by request, according to public school terms. Most terms are 10 weeks. Students commit for the entire term.  New students may commence mid-term if lessons times are available, and after that commit to full terms. If a student is away for part of the term, and cannot attend makeup lessons, the full term fee is still payable. The lesson time has been reserved for that student, and therefore must be paid for in full.

2. Invoices for the full term will be issued during the first weeks of term, and are payable within two weeks of issue.

3. If a lesson falls on a public holiday or pupil-free day, the lesson will either take place as normally scheduled if both parties are available, or may be rescheduled for another day and time, subject to my availability.

4.  Final term lessons are delivered on the Saturday at the end of week 10, usually the first Saturday of the school holidays. If a Saturday student cannot attend because they are travelling or for any other reason, a makeup lesson should be scheduled in advance.

5.  In the case of illness or other reason a student cannot attend their scheduled time, a makeup lesson will be given at a mutually agreeable time. In the same way, if I cannot attend a lesson for any reason, a mutually agreeable time for a makeup lesson will be arranged. Please give as much notice as possible for known events, however I will accept rescheduling for illness or injury before 9.00am on the day of the lesson. Unfortunately, cancellations after this time will result in a forfeit of the lesson fee. I am happy to teach via Zoom at any time for any reason – just let me know before the lesson is scheduled to begin.

Please limit rescheduling as much as possible, as my timetable is usually busy and does not allow for much flexibility. It will not be possible for me to continue teaching students that require constant flexibility.

6.  Makeup lessons will ideally be scheduled during the school term as close as possible to the missed lesson so that the student does not lose momentum with their learning. If no mutually suitable time is available, the lesson may be scheduled during the holidays, subject to my availability. This option will not always be available, so please check first. No lessons can be carried over to the following calendar year.

7.  It is greatly appreciated if notification to discontinue lessons in the following term is given by the last week of the previous term, including the intention to discontinue lessons in the following calendar year.