Virtual Lessons

When face-to-face lessons are not an option for you, virtual lessons are an excellent tool for learning your craft. You can meet with your instructor from anywhere in the world, and never even have to leave the comfort of your couch. Today, I am going to talk about some of the questions and concerns that I am frequently asked about taking lessons virtually. If there is any topic that I did not cover, and that you are curious about, feel free to shoot me a message and I will gladly answer that question for you. Let’s get started!

Do I need a fast Internet connection?

Yes. A good connection is very important. If your connection is slow or unreliable, your audio and video can cut in and out, which makes it difficult for your instructor to give you good feedback. Most of the time, home WiFi is plenty quick enough and reliable for your virtual lesson. But if you think it may be too slow, there are other options for you. Sometimes your cell service is quicker than your home WiFi, so you can use your phone as a personal hotspot for your other devices. If you decide to go the hotspot route, just be sure to check your phone plan first to make sure you have that capability. Alternatively, simply take the lesson on your phone.

Do I need a special microphone?

Nope! Your computer, tablet, or even cell phone will be okay. I have taught many lessons virtually, and most of the time the student used the mic on their device. With a reliable internet connection, you and your instructor can hear differences in tone quality, intonation, articulation, etc. without using a special microphone. When I am teaching virtually, I usually listen for musical phrasing, how you are using your breath, and watching how your body is holding tension.

Having said that, a good microphone can be helpful if it is set up correctly. It will be a better representation of your sound, which makes it easier for the teacher to give suggestions and hear how you do with the feedback. This kind of setup is most useful if you are trying to get a lesson on issues you are having with your sound quality. But once again, special microphones are not necessary, but can be a useful tool.

If you have an external microphone to use, great! If not, the internal mic on your device will be okay.

Which video platforms should you use?

I have used several different platforms for my virtual lessons: Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, and Zoom to name a few. It really doesn’t matter which platform you use, and your lesson can be successful on any of them. Currently, my app of choice is Zoom. I currently teach lessons through a site called LessonFace (more on that later), and they set up lessons through Zoom meetings. You can share files through the chat feature, which is a great tool for sharing content.

Bottom line: if you and your teacher can see and hear each other, then any platform you use will work just fine.

How long are the lessons?

The lessons can be anywhere from 15 minutes for a trial lesson to an hour or more. It all depends on what your needs are and what you and your teacher have agreed to. I prefer lessons that are about 1 hour long. This gives plenty of time for instruction, but isn’t so long that physical and mental fatigue start to show a negative impact on the lesson.

How much do virtual lessons cost?

It varies from teacher to teacher. Reach out to the instructor you want to take lessons with, and they will let you know what their rates are.

I’m interested in taking lessons virtually. Where do I find a teacher?

If you have a teacher in mind, all you have to do is ask them if they are willing to teach virtually. They probably have a platform that they prefer, or will be willing to work with you to find something that works for you.

I am a featured instructor for tuba on a site called LessonFace. This site allows you to browse the teachers featured on the site, and find one that is a good fit for you and your needs. All lessons are done through Zoom, and the site is very easy to use. All you have to do is send a message to a teacher and they can set up a trial lesson for you to see if you are a good fit for each other.

If you are interested in taking lessons with me, visit the Virtual Lessons page here on my website. You can also send me a message via the Contact page, and I will respond as soon as I can. Alternatively, go to LessonFace.com/JoshuaCarter and send me a message that way. Lots of great options, and I will always respond.

Happy Practicing.