How do I schedule an online lesson?

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Setting up for the first lesson - Please read this before your first lesson!

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What do we need to do before a lesson?

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How do we join the Zoom meeting?

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Do parents need to participate in virtual lessons with their children?

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How will kids work on assignments during the week?

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How can kids collaborate online?

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HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN ONLINE LESSON? 

• Contact us or book a lesson here!

 

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SETTING UP FOR THE FIRST LESSON

In order to make the first lesson as fun as possible for your child, please do your best to work out your tech setup BEFORE your first session!

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• SOFTWARE​

  • Download Zoom teleconferencing software 

  • If you have been instructed to, please log in to your child's account on Soundtrap - can be used on any device

  • We also use Tunelark.com for music theory training and testing. For now, Tunelark is free for all users, and students only need to accept links from their teachers to get started. If you would like to use this on your own, you can also create your own free account.

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• COMPUTER / TABLET / SMARTPHONE

  • Using a laptop or desktop computer is preferred for online sessions. 

  • Ipads/tablets will work, but are not as good. 

  • Phones should only be used as a last resort if computer or tablet are not available.

  • Please make sure your device has a working camera and microphone so we can see and hear students. 

  • Most devices have cameras and mics built in, but webcams are great too!

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• INSTRUMENTS​​

  • PIANO/KEYBOARD

    • If your child is taking private piano lessons, they can use a piano or digital piano/keyboard

    • Having a digital piano/keyboard connected to a computer via a USB cable will make Keylab's online experience more fun for students using Soundtrap.

    • You must be using a desktop or laptop computer to connect a midi keyboard to Soundtrap.

    • You cannot connect your piano or digital keyboard to tablets or ipads using Soundtrap at this time.

    • If you do not own a keyboard, but are interested in getting one, we will be happy to suggest one that will fit your space and budget

    • Virtual keyboards on ipads/tablets can be used for Songlab and music production for all students, and piano lessons for our youngest students, but a physical keyboard is the best option.

  • GUITAR & BASS

    • Electric or acoustic guitars and basses can be used.

    • Guitars and basses should be tuned before beginning online sessions

    • Electric guitars and basses will need an amplifier or an audio interface connected to the computer so the instructor can hear the student.

  • DRUMS

    • If a student plays acoustic drums, they must use headphones

    • If a student plays digital drums, they will either need to connect the drums to an amplifier, or connect the digital drums to an audio interface that is also connected to the computer so that the teacher can hear the student

  • VOICE

    • Voice students can use mic on computer, tablet, or webcam

    • Voice students can also use their own microphone and audio interface

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• CAMERA/MIC/SPEAKERS - It is best to experiment with this BEFORE your first session, but we are happy to book a one time tech set up session or we will take time out of the lesson to help work out your setup when necessary.

 

• CAMERA 

  • Whenever possible, the camera should be set up so students can easily play their instrument and see computer screen at the same time without having to change location or move head back and forth too much

  • The student's camera angle should allow teachers to see the student and their instrument clearly, including seeing fingers on guitar fretboard or piano keyboard while also seeing the student's face

• MICROPHONE

  • Please test and make sure your microphone is working before your child's 1st session!

• SPEAKERS

  • High quality audio is important for our online sessions, and using the built in speaker on your computer will not work well in most cases

  • If the audio experience is not good, students will not enjoy their online lessons

  • For the best experience, it is ideal for kids to use headphones.

  • If headphones are not possible, use speakers or another audio solution where you will be able to clearly hear your teacher's voice and instrument.

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• THE LESSON ENVIRONMENT

  • should be well lit

  • should be in a private area free from distractions

  • should be free from auditory distractions in the lesson environment, especially voices/activity from family members in the same room

  • should be comfortable for student to play and interact with teacher

  • Should be special and make the student feel happy and excited. Posters, books, photos, art, special lighting, etc. are all great ways to make your child feel special and have an extra fun lesson!

  • Should be a space that promotes focus, exploration, and expression. 

 

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WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO BEFORE A LESSON?

• Log into any software like Zoom, Soundtrap, etc. and make sure cameras and mics are working before starting the lesson

• Turn on any instruments or amplifiers to be used in the lesson.

• Headphones are best, but speakers are ok also. Make sure whatever you're using is turned on and that everything is working before joining the zoom meeting

• Please close memory intensive applications and unnecessary tabs, and minimize your family's use of data intensive video streaming services or video conferencing apps on your wifi network as much as possible during the lesson. 

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HOW DO WE JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING?

• If you do not have Zoom, please set up your free account here.

• When it is time for your meeting click the link in the appointment on your calendar or in your lesson reminder and follow instructions to join the meeting

• make sure the mic and camera are unmuted and all equipment is working

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DO PARENTS NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN LESSONS FOR THEIR KIDS?

• Except for our youngest students, once the meeting has been initiated, we will be able to work with your child directly without supervision or assistance. 

• For our youngest children, we may need assistance from parents for the duration of the lesson, and will consult with you prior to the first lesson.

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HOW WILL KIDS KNOW WHAT TO WORK ON AT HOME?

• Our teachers all use different methods to document and communicate assignments to students.

• If you are a parent of a Keylab student, please discuss this with your teacher or email the studio for more details so you know how best to facilitate working with your child at home. 

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HOW CAN KIDS COLLABORATE ONLINE?

• We offer free enrollment in Soundtrap for our students

• We have a limited number of seats in the program, so seats are offered on a first come first served basis

• Using Soundtrap, kids can search for each other to collaborate

• Once connected, users will be able to edit and make changes independently of their collaborators

• If users want to share, they will choose to SYNC their changes and the other user will be prompted to accept the sync. 

• Users can go back to previous versions if they want

• More advanced users can add vocals, guitar, or other instruments or sound effects using a microphone

• For more info go to SOUNDTRAP SUPPORT

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THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN COLLABORATING
(from soundtrap.com)

• So you’ve just started collabing with someone? Great! Here are some advice on how to achieve a joyful experience and still making sure everyone’s visions are fulfilled:

• Give feedback to each other! To share musical ideas with others takes a lot of courage. It will all be a lot easier if you as collaborators give credit and support each other via the text- or video chat.

• …And speaking of that. A lot of valuable ideas might be coming up while talking to each other. The text chat and video chat is an awesome creative tool!

• Don’t be afraid to share unpolished ideas and sketches to get the creative flow going.

• If you want to have your private space when coming up with new things, though, it might be good to know that your collaborators won’t be able to hear your recordings until you click save.

• Hard to understand each others vision? Use reference songs! Create playlists or link video clips to get a shared vision

• Hard to come up with new ideas? Browse the loop library to find inspiration

• Last but not least; be kind, be bold and always respect each others ideas!

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