I am so pleased to be able to continue piano lessons in a new and temporary online setting for everyone during this uncertain and changing time.
Music is a vital means of self expression, creativity, and communication, an outlet that positively effects the health and well being of everyone. Continuing a routine, setting up a practice schedule and defining goals will provide a sense of control, purpose, and accomplishment for your child.
I have explored several mediums for holding lessons, and have found Skype to be the best choice for sound quality in Google Chrome. Here is a link to download Skype: https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/
The download is quick and easy, I have Skype on both my iphone and laptop. Send me a connect request in advance of the lesson with the information provided in your email from me, then call me at the start time of your lesson.
A second medium I offer is FaceTime, available on apple products. This simply consists of calling me using my phone number on FaceTime, and we begin. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
As with Skype, call me at the start time of your lesson.
Here are some tips for successful online lessons:
1. your child needs to see me clearly in a large window
2. your child needs to hear me well so we can communicate
3. your child may need your initial help at the start of the lesson to be sure the camera is set up and functioning properly.
4. some young children, perhaps under the age of 10, will need a parent in the room to re- iterate what I say and focus your child on the task at hand.
How to set up:
Use your computer or ipad for the lesson. If you do not have this option, an iphone will do, but is not the best choice since the screen is too small for proper communication.
Position the camera at the right or high end of the piano with a view of the keyboard and the students' hands and body. Back your device up to take in this view. Be sure the volume is turned up, and unmute the sound. You may wish to test the sound and visual a few minutes before the lesson.
Place your device on a music stand, chair, or whatever is available to present the video roughly at the height of the keys or slightly higher.
Have all music books, a pencil and paper ready for the lesson. The student can take notes during the lesson, and record assignments. I may need to see the score at times; I will ask for a closer view when this is necessary.
Do your best to keep distractions away from the lesson.
If it's not perfect the first time, don't worry. It may take a few lessons to settle in.
If the connection is lost and irretrievable at your lesson time, we will try the second of the 2 choices above. If that does not work, have an alternate time for the same week in mind to hold your lesson.
Some tips for continued practice:Set aside a scheduled practice time that recurs every day. Post a schedule in the home, and record the days/minutes practiced on a chart. Here are some options for free practice charts:
https://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit-oliver-sticker-practice-chart.php
https://www.google.com/search?q=piano+practice+chart+free+printable&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=C8WA_i602zB_vM%253A%252CWtjf8EUiq7tqsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSsLbq5Z9wtIbd3nT3mW-HaPxP3Ag&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV362g0a7oAhWPuZ4KHWVpASMQ9QEwAHoECAoQIA#imgrc=GpJQKkfqWqBW8M
Be positive, and provide reasons to practice for your child. I will be posting practice rewards on my blog for top practice minutes.
Send recorded/live performances to family and friends over FaceTime or other. Try setting up a group piano meeting among friends where everyone performs over Skype.
Finally, I am offering every student the opportunity during this online period to send me a video of a performance (from memory preferably) uploaded to youtube (for example), for my critique. Do this as a test performance, and I will send you back comments.
For anyone with impossible work conflicts during the normal lesson time, please notify me and we will work something out.
I look forward to the new experiences (and perhaps some Chopin) and to the learning curve that awaits us all online! See you soon!
