What to do before, during, and after online lessons
A sudden switch to online lessons in the middle of a life-altering pandemic isn’t everyone’s ideal learning situation, but some simple measures can be taken to help virtual lessons run smoothly and, dare I say, enjoyably! A guide to more in-depth adjustments and optional tech purchases will follow soon!
Before Enrolling
Time Commitment
Plan for online lessons to require a slightly greater time commitment than traditional lessons. For example, the teacher may have students film and submit some of their repertoire ahead of time for lesson-planning purposes. The student may also need to send video clips of their progress to the teacher mid-week to ensure they are on target. Occasionally, the teacher might ask students to watch an instructional video to get a head-start on a new concept before their lesson (this is called asynchronous, or flipped, learning). Younger students will likely need help accessing these activities, which are completed in addition to regular practicing.
Scheduling
Try to schedule lessons when Internet traffic is light and noise in the house is minimal. With entire families working and learning at home, I understand that this might be difficult—keep reading for tips on maximizing Internet speed.
Before the Lesson
Sign up for Zoom if you haven’t already.
Have all materials (lesson books, sheet music, flashcards, a pencil with an eraser, etc.) ready. It’s helpful to put sticky notes or flags on relevant pages in music books for easy finding. If the teacher asked for the score to be marked between lessons (adding measure numbers, highlighting accidentals, etc.), be sure to do that before the lesson.
Position the camera to show the student’s upper body, arms, and hands, including the keyboard. I have found that the best camera placement is directly to the student’s left or right, capturing their profile. The student can turn their body to the camera when speaking.
Check your Internet connection using Speedtest. A download speed of 10mbp/s is ideal if more than one person is using the Internet, but as few as 2mbp/s will work for a single user.
If your connection is slow, moving the wireless router closer to the piano or using an ethernet cable (if your device will accept one) can help with speed and consistency.
Be sure all devices to be used during the lesson are fully charged or plugged in.
If your piano is in a bright room, you might need to close the blinds or curtains to prevent wash-out. The light should be in front of the student to avoid glare and shadows.
During the Lesson
Parents should be present to help take notes, handle manipulatives, solve technical issues, and help young students listen for cues. Even some of my high school students choose to have their parents nearby during their lessons!
The teacher, student, and parent will take turns talking and playing to save time, using cues like “my turn” or “your turn” to eliminate confusion.
After the Lesson
Download the recorded lesson to review later, if applicable.
If the teacher assigned any flipped learning activities, add the due dates to your calendar, or set a reminder on your smartphone. Help your student complete and submit the assignments.
Encourage your student to practice. Younger students may require supervision and guidance as they practice.
Be sure to give praise! For students accustomed to in-person lessons, a sudden switch to online lessons can be stressful and confusing—especially with all sense of normalcy lost during the recent pandemic. Compliment your student on their effort, resilience, and willingness to try new things.
For more resources on piano lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic, see these tips published by The Frances Clark Center and Piano Magazine.