Another item that I have found to be extremely helpful with the distance “connectivity” is a gaming headset. It enables the student to hear me better, and I can hear the students’ voice and instrument much more clearly when compared to using the built-in microphone of a phone or laptop.įirst of all I must issue a disclaimer stating that I have absolutely no formal training in special needs education. The boom mic stand is the microphone stand that pivots in the middle, you might see a seated pianist/singer use a boom stand for the vocal microphone to angle the mic right in front of their mouth. It has a ball joint that makes finding the right camera angle quick and painless. There is a larger size iKlip available If you plan on using a tablet, iPad or whatever. The iKlip is a simple spring-adjustable clamp that holds the phone in place. This setup is extremely flexible and versatile, and many of my students have commented on how helpful this setup is with activities other than just piano lessons (virtual gym class, dance lessons, any type of instrument lessons, essentially anything that involves handling a tablet or smart phone). Something I have recommended to my students is using an iKlip attached to a boom mic stand. A laptop or folding tablet sitting on a high stool placed next to the piano bench also works great. Only a smartphone! That will suffice if you can somehow angle your camera to focus on your fingers on the keyboard. What Equipment the Student Needs (aside from a piano or electric keyboard) Both myself and the student are able to choose which of the three camera images will fill the screen (speaker view) and if the student’s device screen is large enough they can see all camera images simultaneously (gallery view). It is necessary for the student’s camera angle to be pointed at their fingers on the keyboard so that I can coach them. I will host the session using a “3-camera” setup, myself with two camera angles, and the student’s device sending me a video/audio feed. I use the Zoom app. I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with it through home schooling, virtual office meetings, etc. Although an absolute re-creation of the live experience is impossible with our current technology, I feel that I’ve devised a system that is very close. My virtual lessons have been pretty much the same as the in-home visits. Please have a look at the videos of my students as well. I am staying the course with my class syllabus material as noted in the “SYLLABUS” tab found in the top menu on my home page. I invite you to share in the joy of learning piano, wherever you may live. I have put much thought into the process of our new norm. It has been a very positive experience so far and my students are making great progress. Due to the Coronavirus lockdown I have been teaching piano solely online from my home studio in Brooklyn, NY.
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