Making the Most of Online Lessons
Currently, we are all trying to adjust to a new normal. Our calendars have been completely wiped empty because things we had scheduled, are now cancelled. As we stay home to avoid social interaction as much as possible, it’s essential for education that relies on in-person interaction, such as schools and music lessons, to move towards a more virtual teaching platform. This is an adjustment for all of us.
At first you may cringe at the idea of online lessons and we fully understand the reason why. Online lessons may not be able to deliver the same level of hands on, personal instruction that teachers normally provide. However, we believe that in this time, it is crucial to have a little bit of normality inserted back into our schedules so teachers are making the move to online lessons. To help you get the most out of your lesson, we’ve included some simple tips to improve your experience.
Make sure you have a good internet connection
The most important part of an online meeting is to make sure that you have a good internet connection. Make sure that the device you are using is connected to a private wifi and not to cellular data. If the connection is not good, then you will notice that there is a lag in the video and audio. Having a good internet connection will be the first step to ensuring a good online lesson experience.
Try using a computer or laptop
While mobile and tablet devices become more of the norm, they can be difficult to use for lessons. The smaller screen can make it difficult to see one another and at times, difficult to hear. Additionally, depending on the device you use, the microphone and speakers may not deliver as good of a sound quality for music lessons. Using a computer or laptop is another step that can help increase your online experience. If you have a microphone that can connect to your device, the sound quality will be much better.
Placement is important
Make sure that you think about where you place your device. If your device is too far away from you while you are playing your instrument, the person on the other end won’t be able to hear you. If the device is too close to you and your instrument, the audio may distort and be unclear. This placement will vary depending on the instrument. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles to get the best possible experience.
Too Close
Problems:
• Audio distortion
• No view of pedals or posture
• Partial view of keys
Too Far
Problems:
• Insufficient audio volume
• Unclear view of keys
Just Right
• Good view of posture
• Good view of pedals
• Device elevated above keys
• Lower chance of audio issues
Use a good video conferencing app
There are many different types of video conferencing apps that can be used. Each have their own set of pros and cons but the key is to make sure to use the one that is the best fit for you. We’ve listed a few apps that music teachers have told us that they are using.
Facetime
Zoom
Google Hangouts
WhatsApp
Skype
Privacy is key
Privacy is extremely important to us nowadays, and even more so when students are involved. Most video conferencing apps have some type of encryption and security measures but you can always do more. Make sure to do your due diligence to understand video conference security. If the application allows, make sure to set up a password so only the people with that password can enter the meeting. Additionally, make sure that you are connected to a private wifi connection rather than a public one.
