Virtual lessons can be a great way to learn, especially for students who can’t travel (or want to travel less). In order to be successful, I recommend the following equipment:
GEAR
- A computer/laptop/tablet. Something that allows for USB device input and has a camera and a decent sized screen.
- Earbuds. It’s great to have one earbud in during a lesson. It increases the sound quality for me as your teacher and allows you to hear me well while also hearing yourself.
- An external microphone. I love the Zoom H4n pro but a more cost effective option is the the Blue Snowball Ice.
- Zoom: I teach lessons through zoom. So make sure that it’s downloaded and updated before the start of your lesson.
I know. It’s a lot of stuff and a big expense. The addition of the above items will help create the best learning environment. But, maybe all you have is your cellphone and the zoom app. If that’s the case, let’s still give it a try! A successful virtual lesson is really about the ability to communicate with each other and figuring out the types of language and descriptions that work best for the student.
SET-UP
- Space: Try and find a space for virtual lessons where you can be undisturbed. If that’s not possible, the use of earbuds as listed above can really help.
- Set up a chair and music stand. Have all of your materials ready.
- Keep a bassoon fingering chart close by.
- Sit 3-6 feet away from your microphone.
- Test your audio settings on Zoom. Play low and high notes; soft and loud, and set your microphone volume so that the input status bar remains green and doesn’t push into the red.
- Sitting 3-6 feet away also allows me to view the top half of your body so I can see your embouchure and hands.
- Scan or take pics of any music that I don’t have an e-mail or text them to me prior to the lesson.
Oklahoma Bassoon Studio 