Byron Matice in his home studio. (submitted photo/ Byron Matice)

By Ian Gustafson

More Than Music

Guitar instructor explains challenges of teaching amid COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 6, 2020 | 2:15 PM

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up how the public operates in everyday life. From how children learn, all the way to how business owners provide their services.

Byron Matice, owner of Byron’s Guitar Instruction, is facing challenges when it comes to teaching his numerous students guitar lessons.

The teacher of 40 years has taught out of his garage and for the past three weeks has now moved to teaching through FaceTime social distancing recommendations.

“The challenge is seeing the entire person and the full spectrum of the guitar,” Matice told paNOW. “Working with the iPad, I have to stay back and use it at a distance so that they can see my fingers and my guitar.”

He added he must make sure he can see both of his student’s hands in the camera view. He sends music and practice sheets via email.

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“The dimension is so different than seeing someone 3D right in front of you,” he explained. “That’s been the biggest thing. The sound has been good and the very first couple days I had a couple of calls drop off but other than that the coverage has been really good, and the sound has been good.”

“It’s a huge difference for me because I’ve had 40 years of teaching students face to face, so this is virtually the first time that I’ve taught over the web,” he added.

Matice said he retained all his students — each of whom have transitioned well to the change.

“I think because I’m older I’m still stuck in the old ways. I think the students — especially the younger ones are so much more comfortable working in front of a screen,” he said. “I think after this is all done there’s going to be a lot of students that are going to continue in this new medium because it’s convenient for them; they don’t have to drive.”

He said using the new format was bizarre at first but necessary since there was no way to maintain social distancing in his music room.

Before they went online, students were challenged with the smaller space and were still passing each other in the music room. Matice said it was a process to sanitize all doorknobs, seats and music stands afterwards.

“That was just for a few days and then it became clear that they were advising against it and so that’s when I said ‘We should continue but I think for your safety and mine we should follow the guidelines and not be face to face anymore,’” Matice said.

He is optimistic his lessons will continue and hopes to acquire more students.

“I have to restructure for every student because every student has a different love of what kind of music they love, what songs they want to learn, what skills they want to learn so I build a course around an individual student,” Matice said.

During this time of uncertainty Matice recommends people to listen to music and practice their instruments to keep busy.

“This will end and someday bands will be playing live again,” he said. “Turn on the radio, put your CD’s on and listen to music. That’s the best medicine for a time like this.”

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12