Online Learning

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I had always wanted to learn how to teach online and the Pandemic has helped me accomplish that goal. I have taught over 500 hours of lessons online now. It is great that we don’t have to allow anything to interfere with our love of music!

Zoom has been a terrific platform for online musical lessons

All you need is a laptop/desktop as your primary device to teleconference Zoom. 

And

A secondary device such as a cel phone or tablet. 

For the voice student – Proper breathing techniques, vocal warm ups, learning songs in a multitude of genres, singing to various accompaniments, performance technique, writing lyrics and even writing songs can be accomplished!

For the pianist – Technic, theory and repertoire can be shared and explored though the regular avenues of teleconferencing or enhanced with the use of a program called Internet Midi by Timewarp Technologies. Here is a video on this program https://timewarptech.com/shop/music-software-apps/software/internet-midi/?v=7516fd43adaaand there are others as well on their website www.timewarptech.com. 

You can look into this anytime.  Not necessary for the first lesson or subsequent lessons. 

Using www.speedtest.net check your Wifi Speed to see if you are getting the “fast internet” speed you are paying your internet carrier for. I have had students successfully learn with very low internet speeds, but faster download and upload speeds (like 60 mbps to 100 mbps and up) would be helpful. 

Step One

Use a desktop or laptop for your primary device if possible rather than a tablet. 

Make sure your primary device is plugged in or the battery fully charged.

Use a phone or tablet as a secondary device to play possible karaoke, accompanyiments or warms ups.

Make sure your secondary device is plugged in or has a full battery charge,

Install the latest version of Zoom on your device which can be found by visiting https://zoom.us/download.

Optimizing Zoom settings 

We have a few recommendations which is elaborated on this video by Billy Gollner, a technology adviser for Somatic Voicework ™ The Lovetri Method Online Institute. 

This video is perfect for you to see the best way to set up your Zoom for music lessons

Click here please https://youtu.be/w9sbwEzidgw

There really are just a few simple adjustments made on your Zoom audio choices to make the music lesson experience better and that is explained on the video. 

Suggestions of best audio (ideal but not essential)*

USB Microphones such as:

Blue Yeti ( set to stereo mode – not Omni)

AT2020 USB

Apogee MiC Plus

M Audio UberMic 

Rode NTUSB

Rode Podcaster

MicTec ProCast SST  

*as recommended on a list compiled by Billy Gollner in association with Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method Online Institute

Suggested Headsets

You can certainly Zoom without a headset but headsets can really allow you to hear better. 

Pulsen HPC-A30-MK2 (this is the headset I have because it came in a package with the Blue Yeti and plugs into the Blue Yeti for when you want to record yourself)

There are many recommended headsets or blue tooth devices available.