Online Piano Lessons – 5 tips for students
Here's 5 simple tips that will help you have a great online piano lesson.
1. choosing which device to use
If you have a laptop computer or chrome book, use this for your online lesson. The benefit of using a device with a large screen, is that you'll be able to see the annotations that your teacher makes on your music.
If you need to use a phone or tablet - choose the one in your household with the largest screen.
2. POSITIONING YOUR DEVICE
If you're using a laptop computer, try placing it on a bar stool or piece of furniture that is a similar height to your piano keys and then position the bar stool to the side of your piano / keyboard. Experiment with the angle of the built-in webcam so that you give your teacher a good view of your hands on the piano keyboard.
If you're using a phone or tablet, try to position this to the side of the piano. If you have a camera tripod and a selfie stick, you could try attaching your selfie stick to the tripod and then placing your phone on this.
3. Be mindful of the light
If possible, try to have the main source of light behind your device. This means you wont be in the shadows and your teacher will be able to see you clearly.
4. if you have a second device, try using that too!
It's possible for you to sign in to your online lesson in two places at once! If you do this, mute the audio of your second device to prevent feedback.
For example, you could have your laptop as your primary meeting location. You could also sign in to the lesson on a tablet/phone. This would be your secondary location. Place one device to the side of the piano and the other device on the music stand / top of keyboard. The advantage of this set up is that you don't always have to turn to the side to talk to me.
5. be prepared for your lesson
Have the following things ready for your lesson:
- a pencil
- your music
- your google doc with lesson notes open on your browser tab