Virtual lessons strike a chord with kids over lockdown
Paisley music school’s online classes are a hit with pupils
A Paisley music school is ensuring youngsters are able to keep their lessons up during lockdown by trying out online classes.
The Diane Mitchell Music School, which is located in the town’s Weir Street, has not let the lockdown stop pupils from honing their musical talents.
Run by Diane Mitchell, who has been teaching music for more than 25 years, the school has been trying out the new approach with youngsters learning a number of instruments including piano, drums, guitar and violin.
The classes have so far been a success, with Diane even starting online group classes in which children make their own instruments from items at home.
Diane said: “The classes have been going really well.
“Most of the pupils said they wanted to do online lessons during the lockdown to keep learning and we thought we would give it a try.
“It’s working really well so far and all the kids are really engaged with it.
“We weren’t sure how it would go so it was a pleasant surprise.”
She added: “We ran the first group class at the weekend and the kids really enjoyed it.
“They got to be creative and use household items to make an instruments such as rice in a bottle to make a shaker or using pots as drums.
“They all enjoyed seeing each other too.”
One pupil who has been enjoying the online lessons is nine-year-old piano student Sam Ramsden, from Paisley.
The Bushes Primary pupil has been able to practice his piano at home while continuing his lessons via FaceTime every week.
His mum, Amanda Ramsden, said the lessons are great as it allows Sam to continue something he enjoys while the lockdown is ongoing.
She said: “Sam gets his piano lesson every Monday on FaceTime.
“He is really enjoying it and has been engaging really well even though it is very different to how he would normally get his lessons.
“He was missing going to his lessons every week so it’s great that he is still able to learn, even with everything going on.”
The Diane Mitchell Music School is still taking new pupils.
Anyone who would like to take an online lesson should phone 07896689816 or visit the website at www.dianemitchellmusicschool. com
It’s working really well so far and all the kids are really engaged with it. It was a pleasant surprise