Remote Learning Resource Center
Welcome to the Givens Violins Remote Learning Resource Center! In the past several months, it has become essential for music teachers to develop a remote learning environment to stay connected to their students, allowing them to continue lessons with their teachers while remaining safe during the pandemic. Remote learning is dependent on the preparedness of both teachers and students and the technology and tools that they have available to them to enhance the learning experience.
We are impressed with the resilience of teachers and students to change the model of private lessons so completely and have interviewed a number of teachers to determine:
— which programs they are using
— what kinds of teaching strategies they are implementing
— what equipment is facilitating their lessons
Having good sound quality and connectivity allows for more to get accomplished during a lesson.
Below, we have listed ideas that teachers and students are using to create an efficient and productive learning experience.
SOFTWARE or APPs: to facilitate a virtual/remote lesson
— Zoom: Teachers have told us this is great for private and group lessons. The free version allows for up to 40 minutes of lesson time with up to 3 people and a paid subscription if you require more people than 3 at one time and longer than 40 minutes. It does not allow for more than one person to speak or play at a time, which makes it difficult to get the attention of the student while they are playing. For better sound quality if you are using an external microphone, you can Enable Original Sound, which will take off the sound enhancements that Zoom uses to help with normal sound quality.
— FaceTime: This is a useful app because it provides a more interactive format, allowing people to talk and play at the same time, though there is still a delay over wi-fi. Using cellular data allows for a smoother connection and less delay. Overall, we are hearing that FaceTime has the best sound quality. This software is free but is limited to those with Apple products, such as an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.
— Skype: We have heard from teachers who have been teaching virtually for years that this is a good, easy-to-use, and free platform. You can use both wi-fi and cellular data to facilitate a good connection. However, it is difficult to get good sound quality without connecting to an external microphone.
— JamKazam: We know that teachers miss being able to play with their students or have piano accompaniment and this fantastic free app allows just that. For best quality and less delay, it is best to connect with an Ethernet cable. This app is being used by some university professors who are coordinating remote chamber groups with their students.
— ViolinLab: This lesson program with experienced teacher Beth Blackerby is great for violinists at all levels. She specializes in teaching adults and we have heard that she has an engaging teaching style, passion, and philosophy. The program is very straightforward and easy to use. It requires a basic membership fee, which can be upgraded to take advantage of more resources.
EQUIPMENT: to enhance audio/video quality and latency issues
Portable Devices: if possible, with both wi-fi and cellular data – if the wi-fi is unstable, the cellular data will allow the connection to continue
External Microphones: Teachers are using external microphones with their computers or portable devices to enhance their own sound quality. This allows students to hear their teachers even better and can make lessons much more efficient. If both the teacher and student are using microphones, the better sound quality overall. These are the microphones that are being used most frequently by teachers and students:
Headphones: These are great for teachers to listen to their students closely. When sound quality is good, lessons tend to go immeasurably smoother! Teachers putting the headphone over one ear while they demonstrate to their students is recommended and easy to do with these headphones:
— Noot K11 (for Kids)
Ethernet Cables: Greatly reduces latency and connectivity issues. It stabilizes the connection of any platform you are using. You can even connect Ethernet to your portable device, such as an iPhone or tablet, by using an Ethernet adaptor.
— Ethernet Adaptor to iPhone or Tablet
PRODUCTS: for a more comfortable and convenient lesson experience
Peak Music Stands – We carry these at Givens Violins. Please call for our prices.
— Classic
— Lightweight Aluminum, Greater Adjustable Height
Viol
in Holder
— König & Meyer – We carry these at Givens Violins. Please call for our prices.
Magnetic Pencil Holder
— König & Meyer – We carry these at Givens Violins. Please call for our prices.
Tablet Holder
Tripod
— UBeesize 50” Extendable Tripod
— Saiji Tablet Stand Holder with 360 Rotation
OPTIONS FOR IN-PERSON TEACHING: As the weather holds, some teachers are doing in-person socially-distanced teaching.
Location ideas:
— Porch
— Driveway
— Open Garage
— Spacious indoor hall or church
FORUMS: Please take a look at this list of fantastic Teacher Forums that may be able to give you insight into what other teachers are doing around the globe and hopefully give you some new ideas as well!
— Music Educators Creating Online Learning Facebook Group
— E-Learning in Music Education
— MGR Music – Music Teachers’ Forum
— Connolly StringOvation: Teachers and students looking to collaborate on projects can check out this great resource from Connolly Music. They provide an extensive collection of apps, professional software tools, and advice for all of your collaborative needs!
OTHER RESOURCES: Take a look at these helpful resources to help enhance your remote learning experience.
Tips on Helping Students Make a Buying Decision when Teaching Remotely
How to Care For Your Instrument and Bow
Master Classes & Live Stream Concerts
For further inspiration and motivation, we have assembled some outstanding resources including master classes, courses, concerts, and live-streaming events. These are all available online and we hope they will inspire you to find a new piece to play, practice a specific musical technique, introduce you to a professional musician you may not have known before, and motivate you to push forward in your musical studies.
Free offerings:
The Violin Channel – Live stream concerts This is an excellent source of news for string players. It is easy and free to subscribe.
The Royal College Music of London- Master Class
Pinchas Zukerman – Master Class
Pay to Participate:
James Ehnes – Recitals from Home
Intermediate Baroque Violin- Shunske Sato – Master Class
Musical Chairs – Violin Courses
With a Medici.tv Subscription:
– Violin Masterclass with Maxim Vengerov
– Cello Masterclass with Anner Bylsma
We are excited to hear that students are taking responsibility by practicing more and accomplishing a lot! If you are a teacher, student, or family member of a student, please let us know what resources you are lacking and what you are looking for to help make your lessons even more efficient and effective.
Teachers, we would love to hear from you! If you are using something other than what is listed above, we would be happy to hear what you have to say and add it to our resources for other teachers to use.
Givens Violins is committed to supporting our teachers and players by providing resources that will continue to enrich our musical lives!
