Online Lessons
The same great tuition, from the comfort of your own home.
All of our lessons are available online. It's easy to set up and is a great alternative if you aren't able to travel to us, but still want to take part in music lessons with us, or as a one-off when you can't attend your lesson in person.
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No special equipment is required
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Set up is easy using a tablet, phone or laptop
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Teachers will use either Zoom or Skype
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Safeguarding measures are in place
EQUIPMENT:
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1. You can use a laptop, tablet or phone – any device with a built-in microphone and camera.
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2. If you are concerned about your internet connection, using a laptop/PC will allow you to improve your connection by using an ethernet cable to plug your laptop directly into your router. If you are using WIFI, try to be as close to the WIFI router as you can to improve the connection.
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3. It can be helpful to use a speaker or headphones as this can improve the sound. Bluetooth speakers/headphones will be easiest if possible, as the cable can force you to stand too close to the device.
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SETTING UP:
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1. Make sure any electronics you are using have enough charge or can be plugged in if necessary. As well as your laptop/tablet/phone, this includes your headphones or speaker if you are using them.
2. Position your device so that the camera is showing as much of you and your instrument as possible. As well as being able to hear you, it's important that the teacher can also see your face so that you can communicate clearly with each other and watch you play so they can help you improve your technique. For example, if you are having a piano lesson, position the camera to your side rather than behind you, so that the teacher is able to see your hands and face and you don't have to turn round to speak.
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3. Use something stable to support your phone/tablet/laptop such as a table, music stand or pile of books.
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4. If your lesson is happening in daylight hours, avoid positioning yourself with a window in the background, or close the curtains if you need to - otherwise, the teacher will only see you in silhouette!
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5. Make sure the room is well lit.
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6. Try not to play too close to the microphone or there may be distortion.
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7. Have everything you will need ready before the lesson so you are ready to start: sheet music or books; a notebook; a pencil and rubber; your instrument; and any accessories such as a tuner, plectrum, or saxophone neck strap.
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8. Make sure you are in a quiet environment without background noise or TV playing.
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9. If the student is under 18, there must be an adult in the room, so you may want to find a comfy chair! However, it is not required for the adult to participate in the lesson, and in fact, it can be better for the student-teacher relationship if you can avoid too much involvement and interaction.
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Video call platforms:
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Your teacher will either use Zoom or Skype to connect with you. Calls will come from a Windows Music Academy account.
ZOOM:
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1. If you are using a tablet or phone, you will need to download Zoom on to your device from the app store. If you are using a PC or laptop, you can either download Zoom or use the desktop version (i.e. though the website) at zoom.us
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2. It is a good idea to adjust the audio settings to optimize the sound in Zoom, although it isn't essential. Go to Settings, then Audio, and make the following adjustments:
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Under "Microphone":
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“Automatically adjust microphone volume” - OFF
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Under "Suppress background noise”
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Set to Low (faint background noises)
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Under "Music and Professional Audio":
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Disable echo cancellation - OFF
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Show in-meeting option to turn on original sound - ON (you can then enable original sound when you are in the meeting)
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High fidelity music mode - ON (this does use more bandwidth and CPU apparently)
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Use stereo audio - ON
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2. You will receive an invite to a meeting at the agreed time to your e-mail address. Click on the link in the e-mail, or use the meeting ID and password to join.
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3. If you choose to use the desktop version, use the link, which will open in your web browser, and you will be prompted to either 'launch meeting' or download Zoom. Click on ‘launch meeting’, and then you will be given the option of using the desktop version – click on this link.
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4. You will then go into the virtual waiting room. The teacher will then let you into the virtual meeting room at the lesson start time!
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5. Don’t forget to turn on your video feed as well as the microphone. You can do this by tapping or clicking on the video camera icon at the bottom of the screen.
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SKYPE:
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1. You will need to download Skype on to your phone or table, and create an account. On your PC or laptop, visit www.skype.com.
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2. Send the username and e-mail address for your Skype account to Jenny at info@windowsmusicacademy.com.
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3. Prior to your first lesson, you will receive a message from us, so you can add us to your contacts.
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4. At the allotted time, you will receive a call on Skype from a Windows Music Academy account.
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SAFEGUARDING AND SECURITY:
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Prior to your lesson, you will be asked to sign a safeguarding agreement between you and the student. This is to protect you (or the person in your care) and your teacher. For students under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the agreement.
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You can view the agreements here:
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SAFEGUARDING AGREEMENT FOR ADULT LEARNERS
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SAFEGUARDING AGREEMENT FOR UNDER 18S AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
In summary, by agreeing to attend this online lesson, you and the Teacher agree to the following:
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1. Lessons must not be recorded by either party unless there is a prior agreement for this. If recordings are made, they should not be shared with third parties or uploaded to social media.
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2. Any defamatory, offensive or illegal material aired online by the Student, or inappropriate behaviour by the Student, will result in the immediate termination of the lesson. What constitutes such behaviour will be determined in the reasonable opinion of the Teacher. In this instance, the Teacher reserves the right to withdraw entirely from this agreement with immediate effect. Fees paid will not be refunded.
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3. The Student must dress appropriately for the online lesson.
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4. The online teaching platform must not be used by either party for any other purpose than teaching, e.g. sharing photos or general messaging.
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If the student is under 18:
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5. The e-mail address used to access the online video platform must belong to a parent or guardian and not the student.
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6. An adult must be in the room with the student for the duration of the lesson.
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View our terms & conditions for online and face-to-face lessons here.​
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