The Online Music Teacher Community - Friend or just more Competition?

At what point do we as musicians stop enjoying the global sharing of resources and begin to realize the ever increasing competition that is all around us as a result of the far reaching impact of the Internet into our lives? Will there come a time when people stop looking for music teachers in their local area and opt to study only with major teachers because they happen to offer lessons via webcam?

I think musicians must embrace social media and the technology that makes virtual lessons a reality, but will the local music teacher who may have the same amount of enthusiam and creativity lose out on this? Have I already lost out on students because their mom or dad found them online lessons with a teacher who lives 500 miles away? Gone are the days of competing against a few music teachers, but now you're competing with tens or hundreds of other teachers that are now offering virtual lessons. Why not become one of them?

I think online lessons are wonderful tools, especially for more mature players who are looking for a way to easily take a lesson or two with a well respected master teacher, but I think that nothing replaces a good, local teacher for beginners and continuing students.

I am open to offering lessons via Skype, so I'm not against this newest development in technology. The amount of competition that exists currently can be overwhelming at times. Musicians must learn how to deal with this new layer of complexity, and go forward. Be confident in what you have to offer, and creatively build your audience and studio. Keep your eyes and ears open for the next opportunity, and never be afraid to take risks. This is the face of the future.