Tips for Online Learning

Remember to Breathe, Search, then Contact Ms. G

  • Use this link to help center yourself and your thoughts. Take a moment to breathe. Remember, you are not alone, I am here for you if you need anything at all.
  • Not sure of what you should be doing or where you should look for information?
    • You've come to the right place! Please make sure you're looking all over this website starting with the main menu to see if the answer is right in front of your nose :]
  • Reach me instantly via Google Chat using my email: christina.guenther@nhcs.net

Tips for Recording at Home

There’s a chance we could do a virtual chorus again this year! I’ll upload our virtual chorus from last year to the Chorus website as soon as I am able so you can watch how it turned out!

Students, before you record:

Make sure you are well hydrated up to an hour before. Do a full vocal warmup - there are plenty of vocal warmups you can follow along with on YouTube!

Choose the right recording spot:

Find a room indoors with as little background noise as possible where you can be 100% alone (this includes pets). This could be as simple as recording in your bedroom or a large closet. Try your best to have a blank wall as your background so we don’t lose the focus of you and your singing! A blank wall is best. You can even record yourself in the car - just make sure the air conditioning fan is turned down low enough to not be picked up by the camera.

Do NOT record outside. You may look great in those natural lights but it is impossible to control when birds chirp or cars honk. It is really hard for me to work with a recording that was made outdoors.

You should wear appropriate clothing while you’re recording. Think school dress code. A huge plus is if you have a shirt that has no writing or pictures on it. Turn a t-shirt around if you need to! Again, we don’t want to be distracted!

Prepare your recording setup:

You will require at least two devices and headphones to record.

How to record:

After practicing your part as many times as you need to be successful...

1. Place device number one (preferably a phone) in landscape mode (long ways) so it won’t fall down. Place device number two (preferably a laptop or ipad/ tablet) as close to device number one as possible.

2. Plug headphones in to device number two so nothing else is recorded except for your voice.

3. Press record on device number one.

4. Press play on device number two and count out loud and clap with Ms. G “ONE, TWO, THREE, *CLAP*

5. At this point, you are on stage so PLEASE look professional!

6. Smile at the end and end your recording on device number one ONLY when Ms. G gives you the thumbs up.

Check out this example below...

Give your recording setup a test run:

Record yourself singing a short snippet of your piece along with the guide track provided by Ms. G, then watch it through:

  • Make sure your video is horizontal. This is not TikTok so keep it wide, not tall!
  • What can you hear? You should only be able to hear your own voice - not the guide track, no vacuuming in the next room, just your own voice over silence.
  • Are you centered in the camera view? We’d love to see your whole face! Not just your right ear!
  • Are you swaying or touching your face a lot? Try again and remember to be still!
  • Is there a loud background hum or buzz? You may want to try another location.
  • Does your voice sound so loud the audio is distorted? Try again, a few steps back from the camera!

Parents/Guardians:

Below are specific instructions for how to support your singer through this experience! I never want a student to feel like they’re alone in this process so I kindly ask for your support and help! Thank you so much!