How to get the best out of online singing lessons

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Since the pandemic the world has really opened up, and online lessons can work brilliantly when we get the set-up correct. To help us get the best out of online voice lessons, here’s my go-to checklist:

What do I need?

Essentials:

  • A computer or laptop with a camera and built in microphone, or a tablet or smartphone.

  • To sign up to an account with Zoom: https://zoom.us/freesignup/

Really useful extras:

  • An external microphone (for example a USB plug in one) can often offer better sound quality, but I do ask you to check your audio input settings on Zoom before the lesson begins.

  • In your Zoom Audio Settings it helps to UNCHECK the box Automatically adjust microphone volume

  • In Advanced Settings (under Audio Settings) UNCHECK Disable Echo Cancellation

  • If you have headphones, it may help you to wear these to avoid feedback.

Don’t worry if you haven’t got either of these, usually the in-built microphones work well and you should be able to hear me clearly without headphones.

  • A second device - a smartphone or tablet is ideal, to play backing tracks on. Please remember to keep the volume on it fairly low and place it away from the computer/device that you’re using Zoom on - you need to hear it more than I do. I need to hear you!

To improve the overall quality

  • If using wifi to connect ideally have your lesson as close to the router as possible.

  • Try and turn off other devices that are using wifi while you have your lesson.

  • Aim to keep background noise to a minimum - a busy road, humming fridge, tumble drier, washing machine…

  • Try and position yourself with light in front of you, rather than behind. As lovely as a silhouette is, it stops me seeing your face, lips and jaw, and I can’t do my job properly if I can’t see those!

  • Ideally you’ll have space behind your screen to stand up and move around a bit, just like we would do in a face to face lesson as it’s important for me to be able to check in with your posture.

  • Don’t position your screen so low that you have to look down to see me. Eye level if possible!

Time savers

  • Send me your sheet music in advance.

  • I can’t accompany you live at the piano online, so find backing tracks in the appropriate keys to match your sheet music - I can help you if you need - and have the links ready.

  • Make a note of timings in the backing tracks too, for example, introduction, each verse, each chorus.

  • Have a notebook handy to write down lesson notes.

What to expect

  • Slightly more a cappella work and call & response learning than usual. It has a positive impact on your ear training!

  • We’ll both need to take our eyes off the screen every now and again for a minute or so, otherwise it just gets too much. We don’t stop the lesson though - we can still hear each other!

  • In most other ways, lessons will be no different from face-to-face!

I predominantly use Zoom, as the screen sharing options are useful, but I can also teach over FaceTime or WhatsApp Video or Skype. After you’ve booked a lesson I will send you a link, which you need to click on a couple of minutes before your lesson needs to start.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Laura x

Previous
Previous

6 Ways You Can Practise Singing Silently