In person music lessons are great and only require the student to have their instrument on them. With virtual music lessons, there are couple other things to consider. The tools needed for these kinds of lessons may seem daunting, but it’s actually super easy to get you and your student setup for lessons. We’ve put together everything you need to start virtual music lessons today. Read our checklist below to make sure your student is ready to begin!
Find A Good Teacher
Finding a great in-home music teacher for kids is half the battle. You want to choose someone who has mastered their instrument but is also great at teaching. On top of that, you’re doing the entire lesson virtually and you need to find somebody who is not only a fantastic teacher, but somebody who is also comfortable and capable of teaching digitally.
A Private Space
While this is less of a ‘need’, a private room to conduct the virtual lesson will aid in the progress of the student. The last thing you want is for your child to be distracted by the TV, the dog, or something else that could be mitigated by moving the lesson to a quiet room. Plus, the mics won’t be picking up extra noise, which anyone who’s been on a zoom call or skype session knows how annoying a noisy environment can be for a video call.
Again, not having a private room isn’t the end of the world. You can still take lessons virtually! It’s recommended, however, that you at least try to keep a quiet, distraction-less environment to ensure you’re getting the most out of your lessons.
Basic Technology
While virtual lessons do require a bit more tools to get you up and running, don’t be overwhelmed by the tech stuff. Really, any sort of smart phone or laptop with a webcam is all you need. The barrier to entry is not high now that smart devices are commonly owned. An internet connection is also needed to connect to zoom, skype, or facetime but again, Wi-Fi is commonplace in most homes.
Outside of a rear-facing phone camera or a laptop webcam, there isn’t really anything else a student “needs”. Additional things that could be added are only suggestions that may improve the experience of a lesson:
- Ear buds – great for listening to the instructor and bonus if they have a microphone. Often times these types of ear buds pick up and send audio better than just using the phone or computer microphone.
- Device Stand – this could be tripod, a computer stand, or even a pile of books. The idea here is that you want the device to be level to the student and not at a strange angle.
- Lighting – It’s never a bad idea to invest in a lamp or clip-on light for your device. If you’re in a room with a lot of natural light, then you probably don’t need a lamp!
Web Conferencing Apps
Besides having the device, you’ll want to download an app that will allow you to communicate with the instructor. This depends on the different devices you and the teacher are using for the lesson. For example, an android and an iPhone can’t do a facetime call, so you’ll have to choose a different platform. Some of the most common web conferencing apps include Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and Facetime.
These apps all have the same functionality, so don’t fret over choosing the correct one. Most of these are free and all serve the same purpose.
Don’t Forget Your Instrument!
Obviously, you don’t want to forget your instrument for the lesson! No matter if you’re doing lessons at home or online, you’re going to need an instrument to play and practice with.
With virtual music lessons, you want to go a step further in preparing for the lessons. Make sure your violin is tuned beforehand, or double check that your guitar strings aren’t broken. You won’t want to waste precious lesson time, so ask your instructor to help you learn how to do these tasks on your own and outside of lessons.
Lessons in Your Home Offers Online Music Lessons
We offer virtual music lessons which instructors that are experts when it comes to playing music and teaching virtually. Call or contact us today so we can get your student matched with the right instructor for your needs. We look forward to helping you and your child get the most out of online music lessons!
