My studio has converted to 100% online lessons since the California shutdown in mid-March 2020 due to Covid-19 precautions. While it has been a big shift, my studio encountered very little issues in the transition, and my students have been able to thrive.

I try to work with whatever the student has available, but do keep in mind that the better the instructor can hear and see, the better feedback the student will get.

Below are the guidelines that help make the most of virtual lessons.

Camera/Device Position: The best angle for piano lessons is like the one shown in the picture. The camera should be placed at a sideways angle, slightly looking overhead the piano keyboard. This allows the instructor to see the student's hands. If the camera captures the foot pedals, that is even better!

Device used for lessons: Laptops give the most flexibility in terms of audio settings, especially for Skype and Zoom. Unfortunately from my experience, Chromebooks or basic notebooks offer very little sound options. Next best would be tablets. Phones would be the last resort if all other choices are unavailable.

Zoom audio settings: When sound configuration is not adjusted properly for music lessons, Zoom will mistaken the piano as background noise and automatically attempt to block it out. This of course interferes with what the instructor (and student) is trying to hear when the student plays piano. To prevent this, follow the steps below for a simple audio setup:

1. Open the downloaded Zoom application (not from the web browser) and log in.

2. Click on your account icon in the upper right hand corner. A menu should pop open. Click on "Settings."

3. On the left hand column, select "Audio." These settings can also be accessed during a Zoom meeting by selecting the small arrow ^ located on the bottom left corner of the screen right next to the microphone symbol.

4. Underneath "Microphone," uncheck "automatically adjust microphone volume."

5. Underneath "Suppress Background Noise," select "Low."

6. Underneath "Music and Professional Audio," check the box that says 'Show in-meeting the option to "Turn on original sound.'

7. At the start of each class meeting, make sure to click the button at the upper left corner of your screen that says "Turn on original sound." When turned on, it should light up blue.

Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to get a setup that works, so flexibility is key!