top of page

Online/Virtual Lessons - A Great Way to Learn!

Online learning is a great way to learn and a convenient option if you:

  • Don't live near your teacher;

  • Want to avoid germs;

  • Have bad weather and cannot travel;

  • Have transportation problems in general; or

  • Don't want to waste time traveling to/from lessons.

​

I've been teaching online lessons for over 10 years and love it! I've had 

students in Scotland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Wyoming, California, and

Colorado.  In addition, some of my local students switch to an online/virtual

lesson if it's more convenient than an in-person lesson in a given week.

​

All or As Needed:  You can take all your lessons online or you can switch to an online lesson when needed (e.g., there's bad weather or transportation issues). 

 

Not feeling quite up for a voice lesson?  There's a lot we can do in an online lesson even if you're not quite up for singing:

  • Musicianship

    • Pitch Matching (singing back individual notes after you hear them)

    • Ear Training (singing back a succession of notes after you hear them)

    • Rhythmic Training (clapping a rhythm as you see it)

    • Sight Singing (singing a melody or phrase as you see it)

    • Interval Recognition (identifying intervals)

    • Scales (major and minor)

  • Songs

    • Note learning

    • Memorization

    • Background/character discussion

    • Listen to/choose new songs

​

20240706_192047.jpg

How Do Online Lessons Work?

 

There are many platforms for online lessons.  I've tried out about 8 of them and found the peer-to-peer technology used by Rock Out Loud Live (ROLL) or LiveLab.app is usually great.  In a pinch I can do Zoom or Facetime.  

 

Step 1: Reliable Internet is Essential!  Check your internet speed here: speedtest.net to measure your download (quality A/V you're receiving) and upload (quality of A/V you're sending) speeds.  You want 10 Mbps for both download and upload for a clear, high-quality connection. If it's not close to that, call your internet provider about a faster connection.

​

  • Use a wired connection if possible.  CAT8 ethernet cables are inexpensive (often under $20), and provide a more stable connection.  Click here for a link.

  • WiFi:  Close other apps, including email apps.  Also, any other devices using your WiFi connection (streaming, cell phones/tablets, microwave, etc) will interfere with A/V quality.

 

Step 2:  Schedule and pay for your lessons.

 

Step 3:  Make sure you have your:

  1. Camera/Video Position:  laptop, tablet or phone allow me to see at least from your waist up.  This is important for all students: voice or piano.

  2. Accompaniments:  accompaniments on a 2nd device (e.g., your phone)

  3. Music Materials:  voice lesson notebook or piano methods book, voice music, pencil and water 

 

Step 4:  5 min before Lesson Time:  

  • ROLL (Rock Out Loud Live):  I will send you an email invite with a link to your virtual lesson waiting room. 

  • LiveLab: Click on the link in your 24-hour reminder to come into your virtual lesson waiting room. 

 

Some Setup Details

​​​

  • ROLL and LiveLab.app run only with Chrome.   Here’s a link to download Google Chrome for free.  It’s easy and both audio and video are very good.

  • Accompaniments.  Unless you’re singing everything a cappella (without accompaniment), you’ll need accompaniments to play on your own computer or your phone.  This may be from your personal YouTube Voice Lesson Playlist, or tracks downloaded onto your phone.

  • Video & Audio

    • Camera Position

      • Try to have the camera on top of a desk, bureau, or cabinet in such a way that I can see you at least from the waist up.  Posture is critical for all musicians.

    • Microphone 

    • Headphones/Ear Buds WITHOUT built-in mic:  Optional, but helpful for hearing.

  • Window Glare:  If there are windows in your room, make sure they are NOT directly in front or behind you (too much glare), and close any drapes/blinds.

bottom of page