New Advice on Online Group Teaching

We’ve published a new advice page with guidance on moving to group teaching online. You can read it now in the teaching online section of our Covid-19 advice pages.

Published: 20 May 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:30 PM

Photograph of a person playing tambourine in a group setting. — The guidance on our new advice page aims to help music teachers set up and run group online music sessions. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Online group teaching and ensemble work is challenging due to the limitations of technology – but solutions do exist. Such solutions will never replicate real ensemble playing, but they can provide a reasonable alternative.

They can also broaden what music teachers, schools and music services/hubs are able to offer, which may be necessary if social distancing remains in place for a long time, or if the resumption of extra-curricular music is delayed.

The guidance on our new advice page aims to help music teachers set up and run group online music sessions. Although the guidance is specific to Zoom, many of the processes and tips are universal and can be adapted to whatever software you are using.

The page covers:

Setting up for your first session
What equipment you’ll need, or may find useful
Considering the timing for your session
What to do before the session starts
Leading the session
Editing a performance together

Visit the Online Group Teaching page for advice on the specific practicalities of group teaching online. For a first hand account on group teaching, see our blog from Inspire-Works’ co-founder Mike Simpson on Leading Live Music Workshops Online.

For more general guidelines please see our Teaching Music Online guidance, which covers the basic principles of online teaching, including safeguarding, privacy and security.

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