Zoom Lessons - getting started

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

I'm about to take the plunge into teaching via Zoom. An advice or insights would be appreciated.

AJCarter · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2020 1:29 pm Post subject:

Allow at least double the amount of time to adjust for online settings, and recommend that they have a good USB mic. I had a student recently get a Zoom H2n and it worked WAY better than the built in computer mic.
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JoeLoeffler · Veteran Member Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 243

Be prepared to have your students mess around with their audio settings. Depending on what version of the program they have, there are different options available to adjust. I have found that adjusting the echo correction and background noise removal settings to the lowest settings can really help with distortion and funny volume problems. The latest versions of the program also have a high fidelity music mode. I have had decent luck with students just using the built-in microphone in their computer. The worst luck has been with students with Chromebooks. The microphone is pretty crappy and whatever Zoom client is approved in the locked-down computers provided by the high school has reduced options in the audio settings...

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your input. It will be very helpful.

Brassnose · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2020 9:04 pm Post subject:

Assuming this is a one-on-one lecture, this will not be an issue but: if you have multiple people in the line, make sure the ones not talking/playing switch off their micros.
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TrumpetMD · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:05 am Post subject:

I took a few skype lessons on the trumpet a few years back. I just used the mic that came with my notebook computer. But back then, for the few lessons I took, that mic worked fine. Mic position was important, and there was too much distortion playing directly into the mic. My sound was best if I placed the mic to my side a few feet away. The only challenge with this was that I didn't always have the best camera angle, depending on where I placed the mic, since they both built-into the notebook computer.

In addition, I am currently taking skype lessons on the piano. In this context, the sound works great using the mic in my notebook computer or phone.

I'm sure you already thought of this. If I was going to give trumpet lessons by skype, I'd find a colleague to test out a few configurations.

Mike
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Brad361 · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2020 6:11 am Post subject:

I currently have 24 students I’m teaching virtually. For me, and this might I have a lot to do with my limited knowledge of computers, FaceTime seems to work better than zoom, if the student has an Apple device.

Most of my students are middle school, the thing that we miss the most is it’s difficult to play along with the student, as I normally would do during in person lessons.

At least for now, virtual lessons are the only option, at least in my area. I don’t believe they are quite as effective, but certainly better for students than no lessons.

Brad
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Mary Thompson · New Member Joined: 23 Dec 2020 Posts: 3

It's a little bit hard to have Zoom lessons. There can be some problems with the Internet connection, sound and so on. But the current situation requires some efforts. Actually, all this year I try to find some online resources, such as https://phdessay.com/free-essays-on/birds/ to easy the study process. I like such platforms with free essays as they cover a lot of topics, from birds to art. But, if we are talking about music lessons I prefer face to face mode of studying.

dbacon · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 8592

cheiden · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:47 pm Post subject:

My son takes Zoom lessons with a local pro and it usually works fine. We're using a not particularly powerful laptop with an added, fairly new Logitech webcam. The teacher hasn't complained about the quality of the picture or sound. I have noticed that when I use the same webcam for work my picture is as sharp as any and better than most.

The only regular issue we have is that the teacher has more than one wi-fi network and sometimes he has to switch to prevent glitching and lagging. If possible a wired connection is probably a good idea.
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Proteus · Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:17 pm Post subject:

Listen to your student/s using headphones. Even inexpensive headphones will give you much better sound quality - and therefore you'll hear more accurately what your students really sound like.

Also be prepared for the compression and expansion that's built into laptops and possibly Skype itself to negate much of the dynamics your students may try to play.
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