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Key Sounds UK • May 15, 2020

OUR BEST PRACTICES USING ZOOM FOR ONLINE PIANO LESSONS

Since a lot of us have moved online due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we’ve been exploring applications which can help suit our style of work.


This blog can be useful for students, teachers and those who are currently or looking to learn online.


Here’s a brief checklist of what you will need in preparation for an online Piano Lesson with Key Sounds UK:


1. Internet connection – using your local/home wifi or mobile data 


2. A device with a camera – our students use iPad, PC or a phone with the Zoom app installed onto their device prior to the call. 


3. Zoom – our preferable software for online lessons is Zoom because when we cover music theory content, we can screen share when analysing sections of the sheet music and guide students through online videos and activities we have created for them. The Zoom app is also free and easy to install on any device. We recommend students to download the app on their mobile phone or tablets via their given app store. For those using computers, they can visit: www.zoom.us/download and click the big blue ‘download’ button at the top of the page. It will be labelled ‘Zoom Client for Meetings.’


4. A place to put your device so that your students can see you and your piano – some of our students use adjustable desks, chairs or tripods.


5. Any lesson notes are sent via Google Drive or email. Students can communicate via email in between lessons too so that we can better support their progress.


6. Good ears, body language and communication skills. Since we cannot see the students directly in front of us, we have to listen carefully to their playing even more so than usual. We also have to be overly communicative as we cannot point to the music as we may do in face-to-face lessons. Finally – smile and have fun! 



So far our audio channels have worked well but for those who are looking to experiment, feel free to check out this video:

We are so fortunate to have such cooperative students and tools available to us. Let’s take advantage of them and help spread the joys of learning and listening to music.

Feel free to ask us any questions you may have, we are more than happy to help.

For more tips and tricks follow us on Instagram: @keysoundsuk or Facebook: www.facebook.com/keysoundsuk

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