Joe Dixon 
Yes, Zoom lessons work.
This morning’s discussion, while having my delicious wake-up beverage is all about Zoom lessons — and how to make them work.
Some of the finest students that I ever taught were Zoom-only or hybrid (online/in-person) students.
THE ONLINE COVID ERA
“Zoom lessons have been disparaged by some. I understand. They’re associated with a period in students’ lives that sowed isolation and loneliness.”
Of course I prefer in-person lessons.
But when that’s impossible, my Zoom lessons are a positive alternative.
Many students went through a tough period in their life when they were forced into a solitary existence away from their friends and the social interaction of a normal school day. Some students found the online classes boring, visually uninteresting, and certainly less personal.
And, early on, many of us just didn’t know how to utilize online lessons in the most effective way. We didn’t yet have the information (pedagogical & technical) needed for online private lessons to be successful.
Students adapted (or not) very differently to online lessons during this Covid era. Some students’ depression about their life situation carried over into lessons. For some, online study is still associated with that trauma.
“Some students, however, found the isolation at home during the Covid period as an opportunity to make extraordinary progress in their musical lives. For them, that focus became life changing.”
Today, students that study online see their band family and school community throughout the week. The online study is highly personalized and completely unlike classroom online experience. And the lesson experience is one hour per week, rather than the all-day experience they once endured.
TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Students (and teachers) can become frustrated with the technical challenges involved with Zoom lessons. That said, the technology has come a long way. Here’s information that can help you overcome these challenges.
Lessons should be taken over a desktop or laptop computer.
Superior audio software is provided within the Zoom application that is not available within a phone or tablet.
Use the Zoom app, now your browser.
Critical audio controls are not available when accessing Zoom within a browser. Unfortunately, some school-owned laptops block your ability to install the Zoom app.
Utilize an outboard microphone when possible.
Even a relatively inexpensive UBS or C-plug microphone can be superior to the built-in computer microphone.
Make sure your Zoom software is updated.
Zoom is terrific about updating the software. It’s getting better with more features regularly.
IMPORTANT: Set you audio controls with the Zoom App
Utilize the “Original sound for musicians” setting and check High-Fidelity music mode, as well as Echo cancellation.
Also, you’ll want to test the new Live performance audio setting (beta).
Don’t let your home internet get overloaded.
Plead for cooperation from others in your household to limit Internet usage during lesson times. Some Internet connections can easily be overwhelmed.
Organize in advance.
Have your music, metronome, tuner, etc. all ready to go. (using a desktop or laptop allows the phone to be available for the TonalEnergy app!)
Following these guidelines has made my online teaching pretty much trouble-free. My students know, however, that technical issues can happen outside of our control and I’m always happy to reschedule if there’s any issue.
Have a great rest of your weekend. Go practice.
Joe Dixon
