Online Music Lessons with Boston Woodwind Academy
Don't live local to our Cambridge or Gloucester, MA studios, but want to get professional woodwind training? Need to refrain from in-person music lessons for other reasons? No problem! You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish with online woodwind lessons.
​
Boston Woodwind Academy offers the following online woodwind lessons:
-
Other online woodwind lessons - recorder, piccolo, oboe, world instruments, period instruments, and more​
​
How do online woodwind lessons work?
Online flute, clarinet, saxophone, and other woodwind lessons work very similarly to lessons in person. You'll meet with Joe by logging onto a video call with a secure link that will be sent to you before your lesson. You'll go over the day's lesson plan, covering a mix of talking over theory and other concepts and then putting them into practice by playing your instrument and getting helpful feedback and mentorship.​ Joe will help you by demonstrating techniques, using call and response, and other interactive methods to help you improve your playing from wherever you may be.
What software and equipment do I need to take online woodwind lessons with Boston Woodwind Academy?
For the best online music lesson experience, ideally you'll want to have a laptop or tablet and a stable surface to mount or place it on where you can stand within view of the camera from the waist up and comfortably see your screen, though in a pinch, you can use your smartphone. Ensure that you have access to a power source in case you need to plug in your charger. It's helpful to have a notepad and pencil handy as well for note taking during your lesson. Ensure that you have a stable Internet connection, and know how to tether to your cell phone in the event that Wi-Fi is unreliable. You'll have a chance prior to your lesson to make sure that your video and audio are working properly to connect to your virtual lesson room.
If I choose to try online lessons, does this mean I can't do in-person lessons?
Not at all! You can choose to have online music lessons, in-person lessons, or a hybrid combination of the two. There may be some days when you might not be feeling well enough to come to the studio (or may be contagious with an asymptomatic case of COVID, for example) but would feel up to having a lesson at home. Or you might have a tight scheduling issue where coming to the studio wouldn't work that day. If you are local to one of our studios in Cambridge or Gloucester, we always encourage students to meet in person if able, but we're happy to work with what is most comfortable and makes the most sense for you.
Any other tips for getting the most out of online woodwind lessons?
Yes! Here are some tips to help ensure that you have the most positive experience possible with online music lessons:
-
Find a focused space: Join your lesson in a room that's as private and free of interruptions as possible. This might be your bedroom, a home office, practice room at your school, anywhere you feel comfortable performing on your instrument and where you'll be able to be present and focus.
-
Gather your materials: Make sure that you have everything you need for your lesson ahead of time - your music, a notebook and writing utensil, your laptop/charger, a music stand, your instrument(s), and any other materials you might need.
-
Check your visibility: Ensure you're in a well-lit environment and able to stand close enough to your camera so that we can see your hands when you're playing your instrument.
-
Have enough room to play: Find a place for your laptop or tablet where you can freely sit or stand to play and be visible from at least the waist up.
-
Reduce distractions: Close any other programs on your computer that might cause alerts or distractions and turn off your phone or put it on silent and tuck it away during the lesson.​
-
Get as comfortable as possible: Before your lesson starts, go to the bathroom, have a snack if you're hungry, keep some water nearby and wear comfy clothes.
-
Bring your intention as well as your instrument: Take a few moments before your lesson to center in and think about what you'd like to work on and what you're hoping to get out of your lesson that day. So much of our performance as musicians comes down to our mindset; feeling grounded and focused and coming to your lesson with intention can really help!
How do I schedule an online music lesson with Boston Woodwind Academy?
If you're ready to try out online music lessons, simply fill out the form below or send an email to bostonwoodwindacademy@gmail.com and we'll be in touch to get you all set up! We'll be happy to answer any additional questions you have and get you scheduled for online music lessons.
Joe LaRocca | Woodwind Artist
"I cannot emphasize enough the notion that the desire to learn is most important in music. A student cannot be forced to become a great musician, it first has to come from the heart. The core of my teaching style centers around that. I try to impart my passion for music to the student so as to motivate them into developing a natural curiosity about the mastery of the craft as well as artistry."
About Your Woodwind Teacher
Joe LaRocca - Boston Woodwind Artist
Joe brings enthusiasm, patience, and a sense of humor to his work with students, helping establish comfort in the studio that leads to better learning and playing.
Accomplished performer, composer, and educator Joe LaRocca brings over a decade of professional experience to his mentorship with students. Joe has performed as a wind doubler onstage and in the pit for award-winning shows at The Huntington Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Ogunquit Playhouse, among others. He has toured with the 50th Anniversary National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and was the recipient of the coveted Post-Graduate Artist Diploma at Longy School of Music in Cambridge. Joe has performed in orchestras, chamber ensembles, jazz groups, and has also had his own compositions performed in Greater Boston venues!
Let’s Get Started!
Interested in scheduling an online music lesson with Boston Woodwind Academy? Fill out this form and we'll be in touch with you right away to get you scheduled and help answer any questions you may have.