Quick Start Guide for Online Lessons

Introduction

There are only five things you need to prepare for a successful online lesson. Provide your device contact email/phone number, email scans of the pieces you will play, set up your device, log on to our online platform, and be prepared once your lesson begins.

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Please don’t forget to email me scans of the pieces you will play. It’s very difficult to evaluate your playing without clear scores in front of me.

I may tell you that I have some of your scores, in which case you don’t have to include them in your email before the lesson.

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Contact Information and Online Platform

I don’t always know which email or phone number that is tied to the device you would like to use. If we have online lessons periodically, I already have this information. Don’t forget to let me know if we’ll use FaceTime or Google Meet. I’ll discuss more about those choices below.

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Since I am primarily an in-person teaacher, I need some grace when it comes to exiting the student whose lesson comes before yours. Please give me a couple of extra minutes to initiate the call, which includes explaining why I’m kicking them out of the studio when no one else appears.

It’s okay to text or email that you’re ready, but please wait for me to place the call to you. In that text or email, you can include your call information, if you haven’t provided it before.

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Email Your Pieces

Please email scans of the pieces you’ve practiced for your lesson. If you know that I already have your pieces digitally, which is the case for many public domain works, that’s not necessary. This step is often overlooked, but providing your pieces greatly improves the quality of the lesson.

Set Up Your Device

You can use a phone, tablet, or laptop. I prefer my iPad over my iPhone because the screen is so much larger. If you choose to use your phone, please rotate it to landscape so that we can both maximize our screens. Also, please charge your device sufficiently before the lesson since video calls drain the battery quickly.

Here’s the camera angle I prefer, though I’d prefer the camera closer to minimize the background.

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Device Placement Video

Nicola Cantan, made this device placement video on YouTube. If you want to see her introduction and the lighting choices segment, go to the beginning of the video.

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Log On to Our Online Platform

If you have any Apple device, from an iPhone to a MacBook, let’s use FaceTime. FaceTime only works if both parties have an Apple device. If you use Android devices or have a PC, we will use Google Meet. Google Meet is integrated with Gmail.

I’m no longer using Zoom due to its time limitations and its new settings that mute keyboard sounds. You don’t need a Gmail account to join using the meeting URL that I will provide.

Be Prepared

Ask family members to give you some grace if you’re keyboard is in a high-traffic area. Have a pencil ready to make notes. Make sure your device is charged; I know I said that already! Little ones, please get your water cup set up and use the bathroom before we start.

See You Online

Bye for now!