Hey everyone I know we are working quick to get setup to teach remotely and online I want to give a few ideas that can help this process. There are lots of great resources out there but here are things I’ve learned over a few years of experience.
For you and the student
If you get distorted audio try the following
Move away from the mic/phone
If you can turn down the gain
Place the mic off axis (think of this as follows, aim the phone/mic so it isn’t aimed directly at you or the student. This can help a great deal. Just consider what you need to see vs. what you want to hear.)
Use headphones and level the mic for playing level not talking.
It is a fine balance. If you have a way to setup a knob (digital mixer, route the mic through a DAW first, etc) automate some levels for playing and talking.
I do this at times I just run it to a midi controller and assign the controller to the control knob I need in my digital mixer.
You may need to be ready to move the mic back and forth for you (Tripod arms can help this or a my favourite common solution… a wheely chair. Push! Zoom!. You may even get a chuckle.
Be aware of how loud you (the teacher) are playing. With online teaching, if we aren’t setup with an interface, a good Lg. Diaphragm condenser, etc. we may not be able to play super loud, so don’t… It is an adjustment but it one we have to consider using the platform.
Student Checklist
Here is my “setup” list for the student.
Microphone 3 feet away to the Left and forward. ( i play horn.. so this makes sense based on where the sound is propagating from, for bell front brass this is a pretty good spot as well, but be ready to drift it sideways a bit)
Use only a single ear phone of ear bud, keep the ear by the horn bell open.
Be ready to take it on and off I tend to work with older students
Be able to see the laptop/computer screen, we will share some sheet music. If you are using the laptop/tablet for the microphone we may skip this step, or use it less sparingly.
If this is the case I will send pdfs for the student to print in advance of anything I would otherwise share.
That is it. The rest we can adjust on the fly.
Final ideas
In general level things a bit lower than you think (we can always turn up the audio on the device) .
Consider using a high pass filtre to cut down some of the scratchy upper stuff on your end (I’d not worry about this with students…)
Be flexible, be ready to use your voice to sing and demonstrate if the mic starts getting in the way. Singing and hand gestures can be teaching gold online.
Now my personal plug (sorry… I have to)
10:30AM (MST) daily “group horn” warm ups on YouTube
$15 online lessons right now during the current world affairs we find ourselves in.