How to set up for your Online Violin and Viola Lessons

Here are a few things to consider before starting your online violin or viola lessons:

Software

• Make sure that your computer or smartphone software is up-to-date prior to the lesson and that anti-virus protection has been installed and is also up-to-date.

Internet Speed

• Check your internet speed at fast.com
• The quality of your video experience depends on your internet bandwidth. The minimum internet speed required for online video calling is 1.5 Mbps. Most likely your internet connection is fine as is 50 Mbps+, but for an even better experience you can connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable in case the Wi-Fi cuts out.

Selecting a Device

• It is strongly recommended to use an iPad or laptop for your online music lessons. Using a smartphone is fine, but the screen is small and it might be hard to see what is happening on the screen. It will also make it difficult for me to see your entire upper body set up. Avoid using a smartphone, if you can.

Device Placement

• See where you are in the frame.
  • Can you see the full violin or viola and your bow? If not, you need to adjust your set up.
• The camera should be at eye level which means it needs to be flat or placed straight up, not on an upward angle. Please use a camera holder to avoid having the camera destabilize during the lesson.

Lighting

• Use natural light as much as you can
• The light should be behind the camera
• Draw the blinds if you are not using natural light and use lamps
• Use soft box lights if you do not want to use a lamp or use an LED light
• Avoid using desk lamps
• Avoid having the light behind you

Set the Stage

• Prepare your space by getting rid of distractions such as ringing phones, kids running around, pet distractions, etc.
• Your space should be quiet and distraction free
• Consider having a table or chair in which you can rest your instrument when you are taking notes or doing exercises without the instrument

The other camera placements for the images below are not good. For your lesson, I need to see both the right hand and left arm clearly. Make sure to take the time before your lesson to test your camera angles.

Although, I may not be able to see the full bow hold when I go towards the tip, I can see the full bow on at least two strings – that’s good enough. Last tip, make sure that you are not too close to the wall – you don’t want to hit the wall with the bow.

Here are some recommended apps that you should download prior to your lesson beginning. All are FREE! The FREE versions do a great job and therefore I do not recommend purchasing the full versions.

• Tuner Lite by Piascore
• Tempo Lite by Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd.
• Adobe Scan