Online lessons ~ some background
While on-line piano/keyboard teaching is not common in this country, it has been an established part of the overseas music teaching scene for many years.
Prior to the Covid 19 lockdown of March - May 2020 we had been looking into online teaching as a way to offer additional support to our students who are spread over a wide geographic area. Thoughts turned to urgent action as events unfolded during March, and after new equipment was installed, we taught our first online lesson on 23 March, after level 3 / 4 was announced. We have been happy with the way online lessons evolved. They have enabled our students to maintain and advance their musical skills during the weeks of isolation, and feedback has been good. |
In future we plan to keep the equipment in place and use it to provide ‘top up’ lessons, especially for our 'long distance' students, those preparing examinations or impacted by weather events.
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Setting up for on-line lessons
Online piano/keyboard lessons use the sort of technology that will be familiar to anyone who has used Skype or Messenger. In our case, we have chosen to use Zoom ~ a similar free-to-download application.
Decide what device you will use for your lesson. The simplest would be tablet such as an iPad or a laptop / chrome-book. A smartphone may also work so long as it’s not too small for you to see clearly.
Your screen must be able to display the teacher’s hands on the keyboard, and your camera able to capture your own hands on the keyboard. Tech savvy students will be able to find other solutions e.g. involving desktop computers, webcams, old digital cameras etc. It’s very likely you will already have gear at home you can use. The key requirements are that you have an internet connection, your device is able to receive email, (we initiate sessions & exchange materials via email), and your device can run the Zoom app (see https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux))
Download free version of the Zoom app for your device. https://zoom.us/download)
Register & become familiar with how to get started with the app. The videos on Zoom’s support page are helpful.
Set up your device so it is safe, stable, and able to achieve the following:
Test your setup and become familiar with basic controls in the Zoom app. Let us know when you are ready to go. Before your first online lesson, someone from Allegro Studio will connect with you for a live call, so you are able to check reception, do any fine-tuning, and become comfortable using the equipment.
Decide what device you will use for your lesson. The simplest would be tablet such as an iPad or a laptop / chrome-book. A smartphone may also work so long as it’s not too small for you to see clearly.
Your screen must be able to display the teacher’s hands on the keyboard, and your camera able to capture your own hands on the keyboard. Tech savvy students will be able to find other solutions e.g. involving desktop computers, webcams, old digital cameras etc. It’s very likely you will already have gear at home you can use. The key requirements are that you have an internet connection, your device is able to receive email, (we initiate sessions & exchange materials via email), and your device can run the Zoom app (see https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux))
Download free version of the Zoom app for your device. https://zoom.us/download)
Register & become familiar with how to get started with the app. The videos on Zoom’s support page are helpful.
Set up your device so it is safe, stable, and able to achieve the following:
- Long shot of piano so the camera can ‘see’ keys, hands on keys (depending on the length of your keyboard, you may have to leave some end keys out of the picture).
- Screen is positioned so student can comfortably see the teacher without needing to twist, bend or turn backwards.
Test your setup and become familiar with basic controls in the Zoom app. Let us know when you are ready to go. Before your first online lesson, someone from Allegro Studio will connect with you for a live call, so you are able to check reception, do any fine-tuning, and become comfortable using the equipment.