We find an iPad on a stand or a laptop/desktop computer are best. A phone is fine in a pinch but the larger screen is typically best. If you have the ability to patch your video into your TV screen, that is ideal! Make sure you have a comfortable place for the student to sit away from too many distractions.

Set the lesson up in the area of your house with the strongest WiFi connection so the call doesn’t drop midway through.

An adult should be on hand to help set up the lessons and resolve any technical issues. An adult should also be within ear shot in case the connection is lost, the child tries to leave the room or any help with positioning or general assistance is needed. To record songs in virtual lessons, it’s better on your end — if the teacher tries, they’ll get feedback.

Video chatting is always a tiny bit latent no matter how great any connection is. That means, if a teacher tries to accompany their student, you will hear them sing/play a second or two behind the beat. Due to this effect, teachers tend to practice more of a call and response vs. playing together.

With virtual lessons, we may send materials in advance of the lessons (and following) for you to print out since the teacher can’t physically bring anything to class. Please print them out! 

Check out our Zoom audio guide HERE for our recommended audio settings!

We’ve found that even our youngest students have a lot of success with virtual lessons when there is enough parental support at the start of the lessons (and at times throughout). One family even recently let us know that they held a pretend “practice lesson” before the first class so their child was extra prepared :)

Depends on the student, but typically it may take a lesson or two to get the hang of it all. If the child already has an in-person relationship with their teacher, video lessons will be a bit easier. If not, expect a little bit of a warming up period (and expect to need to be even more involved for the first few classes).

Put this in the screen time category of “FaceTiming with the grandparents” vs. watching TV or playing online games. The lessons should be creative, educational, conversational and fun, just like they are in-person. This isn’t passive screen time.

DIY! It may not be perfect, but you can do it! :)

HERE is a video on how to tune a ukulele

HERE is a video on how to tune a guitar

HERE is a clip on tuner to purchase online