SET UP GUIDE: ONLINE LESSONS
Optimize your device and your space for a Zoom lesson!
(or Zoom recital)
Follow this checklist to properly set up your equipment and zoom settings.
UPLOAD homework:
BEFORE the lesson, upload written work, workbook or Lesson book pages, theory assignments, composing, videos.
QUIET SPACE
A quiet room & a quiet device
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Remove background noise & distractions: NO video games, TV, phone conversations, radio, family members, etc.
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✅ TURN ON: 🌛 “Do Not Disturb” in your device Notification Settings.
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❌ TURN OFF or QUIT: Mail, Text Messaging, and Bluetooth (unless you need it for microphone or speaker).
BOOKS & MUSIC
Have all your materials ready: music, notebook, metronome, AND pencil & highlighter.
DEVICE POSITION
Student’s body, hands AND face need to be fully visible, AND all the piano keys.
As seen in photos: off to the side & a little higher than the piano keys.
✅ BEST: Use a tripod, mic stand, or boom arm, with an attachment to hold your device.
🆗 Use a tall object to prop up your device beside the piano: like a table, book shelf, box, stack of books.
Make sure your device is resting on a soft surface - use a smooth, flat cloth or t-shirt.
❌ Avoid direct contact with hard surfaces, especially metal - including the surface of your piano!
Sound vibrations cause interference, distortions, and bad feedback effects. 😣
Don't use the edge of the piano = poor view AND bad vibrations.
PRO TIP:
Log in to the Zoom lesson with TWO devices:
(like laptop + iPhone) to show two different camera angles!
Try: 1 camera on the left, and 1 camera on the right, OR 1 camera from above, and 1 camera on the side.
⚠️ MAKE SURE: you only connect to Zoom with audio from ONE device, to avoid bad audio feedback.
AUDIO SETTINGS (Apple/ iOS)
iOS Settings: iPhone
VERY IMPORTANT!! GO TO:
Settings > Accessibility > HEARING > Audio/Visual > TURN OFF Phone Noise Cancellation
ZOOM Audio: iPhone & iPad
GO TO:
•••More > Meetings > AUDIO > “Use Original Sound” : TURN ON
❌ TURN OFF: Auto Noise Suppression.
❌ TURN OFF: Personalized Audio Isolation.
ZOOM Audio: Computer
From the main HOME window, click on the ⚙️ icon for Settings.
From the menu, select AUDIO.
Microphone: If you're using an external mic, select it here.
❌ TURN OFF: “Automatically adjust microphone volume”.
Audio Profile:
❌ OFF: Zoom background noise removal
❌ OFF: Personalized audio isolation
✅ ON: Original sound for musicians.
✅ ON: Echo cancellation.
Scroll down the Audio menu.
At the bottom, click on Advanced.
Set Echo Cancellation to High
When you log in to your Zoom meeting, check the upper right corner for : "Original Sound for Musicians."
If it says "Off", click it to turn it "ON."
OPTIMIZE DEVICE SPEED
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Have a good battery charge, or plug in to a charger. (low battery = slow connection speed = bad Zoom)
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Close mail & message apps & video or music apps - apps in the background slow the wifi speed.
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TURN ON: 🌛 “Do Not Disturb” mode.
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Turn OFF: Background App Refresh.
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Turn OFF: Bluetooth (if not using for microphone or speaker)
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For WIFI: Ask household members NOT TO stream movies, music, video games or other large data activities on shared Wifi during your lesson time. It takes up Wifi bandwidth, which slows down the Zoom connection & lowers sound quality!
TROUBLESHOOTING during a bad connection
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Check if you already did the other things above for Optimize Device Speed!
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Turn Zoom video OFF & ON.
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Turn your Mic OFF & ON (usually stops random echo feedback).
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Leave Zoom meeting, and rejoin (or also: quit the app and reopen it).
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Turn your WIFI OFF & ON.
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Restart your computer or device.
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Try using a different device.
Get the most out of all these tips - learn more on the EQUIPMENT & TECH page!