Getting a good video setup
(Instrucciones en español)
Sound quality: A computer with a camera and microphone are enough to get us started. If we’ll be working remotely for more than a few weeks, a good microphone (e.g. Yeti) will allow us to work on tone and sound production. Make sure to minimize any background noises, including ceiling fans.
Video quality: The biggest way to improve video quality is to use a wired connection rather than wireless. If your router is in another room, just use a long ethernet cable. Also make sure no one else in your house is streaming (e.g. movies or gaming) at the same time.
Camera placement:
- Raise your video device so that it’s approximately chest level, and 3-4 feet from where you’re standing.
- For laptops, you might use a tall stepstool (stack a couple dictionaries if needed). For tablets, a music stand is ideal (not the same one your music is on). Basically, you want your teacher to be able to see your full upper body.
- Make sure the camera isn’t pointed at the ceiling, and that you’re not standing in front of a bright window.
- If you’re reading from printed music, place the stand to the LEFT side of the camera. Your right side (and the violin f-holes) will face the camera (as though the camera is your audience).
Using the Zoom platform
When you’re ready for your lesson, click the link to my Zoom virtual studio, which you have received via email.
The first time you have your lesson, you’ll need to optimize the audio settings for music. (If you’re using a tablet or phone instead of a computer you may not have all of these options, so just do what you can:).
- On the bottom control bar, lower left, click the arrow next to microphone.
- Select the last menu item, “Audio settings.”
- Under the “Microphone” heading, there’s a box that says “Automatically adjust microphone volume.” Turn this OFF. A picture of this screen is here.
- Just below this, there’s a box that says, “Allow option for using original sound.” Turn this ON.
- Now, on the lower right of this same window, click “Advanced.”
- From here, you’ll see two options: “Suppress persistent background noise,” and “Suppress intermittent background noise. Turn both of these OFF.
- Exit from the settings menu.
- In the main video screen, in the upper left corner, you should see a grey box that says, “Enable Original Sound.” Click this “on” each lesson. (If your device doesn’t show this button, no worries.)
If you’re having trouble finding any of these options, feel free to reference the video walk-through below.
That’s it!
Getting ready for your lesson
Please set up and log in a few minutes early so you are ready to go when I finish with my previous student.
Parents of elementary-age students should attend the full lesson just as they would at my studio. In addition to taking good notes, you’ll be helping your child with posture adjustments and understanding each lesson item.
Presentation: The student should dress in a way that is comfortable and lesson-appropriate. Making the room neat and tidy is also part of preparing for lesson.
Materials: Students should prepare as they would for an in-person lesson, including trimming fingernails and tuning. Have all materials ready to go, including a pencil.
Lesson notes: If our previous lesson was in-person, please send me an image of your current assignment sheet sometime before we start. (If it was online, then I will have saved this from last week.)
After the lesson: Please PRINT the notes I send you after your lesson. (It’s great to print on the back of the last week’s notes!)
Record your practice activities and minutes each day. You can show me your filled-out practice sheet when we next meet!