The opportunities for music correspondence courses are vastly different today compared to a few years ago. Thanks to modern technology and the Internet, taking a music course by correspondence is now much more practical.

Imagine how hard it would be to learn how to play the piano or another instrument by simply reading a book. It’s true that people have successfully learned to play an instrument by reading a book. However, without the benefit of visual demonstrations, the process can be long and difficult. Today’s music correspondence courses contain visual demonstrations via video and live webcam instruction to accompany written textbook materials. This combination of learning materials greatly increases the student’s likelihood of success.

The type of correspondence course that you choose will probably depend on your goals. Examine your reasons for wanting to learn to play a particular instrument to determine where to start looking.

Do you want to:

* Receive nationally recognized certification? If so, you may want to look into colleges or accredited music schools. This is especially true if you hope to get a job in the music industry. Many employers want to see some type of formal education on your résumé from a reputable school. Many of these offer correspondence courses that can help you meet your goals. Sometimes you can complete an entire certificate program by correspondence. For other programs, you may need to do some live classroom work in addition to correspondence courses. Look for accredited music schools with a professional reputation in the industry. Most offer some type of distance education, either by correspondence or online. This can be an excellent alternative if moving somewhere else to get your musical education isn’t an option.

* Enrich your personal life? Maybe you always wanted to learn to play the piano as a child but never had the opportunity. Maybe you’ve been out of practice for several years and just want to brush up on your skills. If employment in the music industry isn’t necessarily your goal, then you’ll probably find what you need from a private instructor or company. Many online music schools offer programs for beginners or for honing old skills. They may combine written materials with DVD demonstrations, online video instruction or live instruction via webcam. Sometimes these types of correspondence courses are less expensive than those offered by colleges or music schools.

* Explore a new genre? Maybe you are a classically trained pianist who always wanted to learn how to play the blues. Perhaps you took lessons for a few years as a child, but never took theory and learned to understand chords. A correspondence course through a private instructor or company may be exactly what you need. Correspondence courses are available on specific topics and genres that may interest you. If you already know the basics, it won’t take long to build upon that knowledge and teach yourself something new.

Let your personal reasons guide your decision when choosing a music correspondence course. You’ll probably find that many music correspondence courses are very affordable. Plus, you can learn from the comfort of home with your own instrument. The list of advantages to taking a music correspondence course is practically endless.