SPECIAL EDITION: Teaching During the Coronavirus

3/16/2020

Submitted by Miriam Shingle

This blog is created for the purpose of teacher discussion as to how we can circumvent the impact that the Coronavirus is having upon our private teaching. I am sure that many of you are wondering what is happening in other teachers’ studios in this situation.

Some teachers have no doubt opted to suspend lessons for a few weeks, while those who teach in a community center or school are forced to cancel lessons due to a shutdown. In addition, out of an abundance of caution, many parents are choosing not to send students to private lessons, even though these do not take place in a group setting.

So far, I personally have opted to continue with private lessons at my home, assuring parents that keys are being disinfected between lessons and students are using hand sanitizer before and after lessons. This seems to alleviate parental fears for now, as no one has told me they would prefer not to come.

Additionally, we as teachers have already told parents not to bring students who are ill, including the parents themselves.

What I would like to accomplish here is for our teachers to weigh in on how they are dealing with this unique situation. And indeed, if you have moved to online lessons, please offer your insights and procedures for accomplishing this.

Thank you all in advance for contributing to this blog!! Let’s support each other in this difficult time.

32 Comments

Deborah Rodgers link

3/16/2020 02:30:39 pm

Great idea, Miriam! I am still sorting it out and will get back to this later!

Raphaelita Justice link

3/16/2020 02:31:44 pm

This week I've decided to work on my online lessons and to also help other music teachers with creating short simple lessons and how they can promote them on their social media. Now is the time!

Jea Kountz

3/16/2020 02:58:50 pm

Thanks Miriam, great idea to share what we're all doing. I have left it up to the parent, since I really prefer in-person teaching, but I realize that some families will be more comfortable with on line. So far, two out of two families chose on-line. At this point, I'm using Facetime and my iPad, but I'm taking this chance to explore other options, including Zoom. If you have never done online lessons before, here is a basic video to help you get started: https://www.facebook.com/1809843302590813/posts/2544337392474730/?vh=e&d=n

Joan Fasullo

3/16/2020 04:12:02 pm

Thank you for opening this forum on such a critical topic!
I've been teaching a few adults privately via FaceTime the last few years. It was a moderate adjustment initially in terms of not having the ability to touch the student's hands, arms, shoulders, etc., as well as learning not to speak as I demonstrate playing a passage, as well as a few other factors.
Now I am faced with the Music School (DE) having to cancel the group lessons I teach. These lessons provide much enjoyment and social interaction to the people in the groups - age 50 and up. Because I think it's important for them to continue as much as humanly possible during this isolating, challenging time, I am looking into video conferencing as well as making instructional videos for them.
Here is an excellent article:
https://hughsung.com/pianos-blog/how-to-teach-online-piano-lessons
ALSO, it's important to keep a sense of humor - one of my adult students sent me this today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whNICyl_et0&feature=youtu.be
Good luck to everyone, be safe!

Susan Koenig

3/17/2020 02:18:25 pm

Thanks Jean. I watched the video. Every bit of information is helpful. The more we can support one another, the better. I really have no choice but to teach online through the studio where I contract so there is no choice. I'm looking at this as an opportunity for more life-long learning.

Becky Douglas

3/16/2020 04:30:44 pm

When I started reaching out to parents and suggesting we continue one-on-one lessons, the parents pointed out that they could not easily make an exception for piano lessons without opening it up for play dates, etc. I hadn't thought of that argument, but I get it! Online teaching is a great alternative!

Carol Angus

3/16/2020 05:17:14 pm

I told everyone to take this week off as everyone gets settled into new routines of on-line classes for many of the school students. I did reach out to my Monday students and gave them pointers as to what they should be putting into their schedules each day -- washing their hands and going to the piano to PRACTICE. I intend to reach out to all of my students tomorrow for remainder of week to encourage practice. Next week, I am sure everyone will be at home, so I will offer online teaching. I face time teach a student in Arizona and that has worked well but it is an adult who understands how to set up the i pad for me to see her hands, etc. I also have duplicates of the music she is working on. One downfall I see with my entire studio is not having all of the music being used in duplicate. Beginner students have trouble with a teacher sitting close to them, so am not sure how face time would benefit that student. I have questions -- lots of them. This ability to share is excellent so thank you for thinking of it Miriam. We will all have to stay tuned for addition comments and ideas.

Annette Freeze

3/16/2020 07:42:10 pm

Thank you for thinking to do this Miriam. It’s a real help to hear what others are doing and to share ideas. I have given my students the week off and will leave the choice up to students and parents whether they want to take the second week. I have two pianos that are not very close together, and I always keep duplicates. So I never get very close to the students. I clean keys, door knobs, and powder room surfaces after each and before each teaching day.

Jane heintzelman

3/16/2020 09:06:42 pm

I just finished my first day of online teaching. Used zoom. Easy to set up. The older students were fine. I just sent them the link at their lesson time and worked well. I had sent an email before to everyone to say what to do. I could see them fine . Only problem was sound kept going out. I have first young students tomorrow, so may be harder for them. A parent will have to be there. Basically, the students seemed pretty happy to do this. I think they are as upset as we are. I think keeping this connection if possible is good. I will let you know how tomorrow goes with younger students. Jane

3/20/2020 04:41:21 am

Jane,

Would you be willing to share your Zoom explanatory email that you send out?

Jane Heintzelman

3/21/2020 09:55:00 am

I sent an email saying I was going to use the zoom app. Download the free zoom app for iCloud on your phone, laptop, or iPad. At your lesson time I will text your cell number. This will send the link to you. Just press on the link and we should be able to hear each other. The student has to make sure they have their mike on.
For me, I downloaded the app. I made sure I had both cell and email numbers for each student in my contacts. I open up zoom and push call internet, and then at the top of the screen push participants and then text number. I find the sound not very good, so to really hear an advanced student performance may need a video. It has worked amazingly well. Just need to work on positioning your iPad so best view. Let me know if this helps or you have any more suggestions.

Felicia Lohidajat link

3/16/2020 09:32:05 pm

I've switched all my students at one particular location to online with only one opting out understandably [a non-verbal, very tactile autistic student] - the rest were perfectly on board with the switch as I laid out how simple the technology was [Google Duo - available for all devices] and the plan to continue with more or less usual time slots.

My tactic in particular was to frame it mostly as "This is what we are doing now for everyone's health and safety", instead of "if this works for you" - I talked to the few who I thought may have wanted exception [by taking a break] but even they were perfectly on board with continuing lessons. Perhaps I was just fortunate.

3/16/2020 09:36:03 pm

I actually still have a few in-home students - what I have done is required thorough hand washing, and I setup my [rolling] desk and chair where I write notes and observe the student to a corner 10ft away from the student where I refrained from closer interaction and directed from there. It was a bit amusing and possibly intimidating for the student to be sitting over there at the piano alone as I sat as a distant judge, but they were fine with it.

3/20/2020 02:13:37 pm

Official - I just went 100% online. Worth it for the safety.

3/17/2020 08:59:54 am

Since yesterday’s decision to give a choice to parents and students after this coming week, I have changed my direction and have my studio closed until further notice.

3/18/2020 06:42:57 pm

https://claviercompanion.com/teaching-in-the-time-of-covid-19/covid
I highly recommend this incredibly helpful resource during the crisis, and free right now even if you're not a subscriber!

3/18/2020 06:55:04 pm

Thanks so much for linking this!!

3/19/2020 11:25:00 am

I am still figuring things out but I could give you a few pointers that I picked up during the four years that I taught one of my students who moved to China and back.

Basically, I taught her with minimum equipment. I used my large iPad on a goSTAND Portable Mic and Tablet Stand and Manos tablet holder. I bought these from AirTurn. This is the company the Hugh Sung is affiliated with.

Here are three things that I felt were essential; metronome, copy of the student's music for teacher, the music should be numbered. I may think of a few others later.

You might be interested in how I plan to conduce my 1st ever virtual recital. I started this because my recital that I planned for 3/15/20 at WCU was cancelled by the university due to the CPVID-19. I a still pulling this together so I can't write with complete confidence. I'll try to update again after all is over. Here's where I am right now.

Many of my students made a recording in my studio last week before we went to online lessons this week. I plan to post these recordings to my Facebook page. I missed a few students so they are making a home recording and posting to their Facebook page and sending me the link.
I am planning to create a recital program that includes the links for each student recording and to email this to each family.
I am requiring everyone to make at least 10 (encouraging) comments to other recital participants. Those that do will receive a recital bag filled with goodies when one on one lessons resume. The students that make the most comments will receive a special prize.

Stay safe everyone!

3/19/2020 11:28:35 am

Hello Again,

Want to make a correction to my previous post. I am posting the recordings to my YouTube channel. Not my Facebook page. The students that are making recordings at home are also posting to their YouTube channels and sending me the link.

3/24/2020 10:26:44 am

Can you tell me how to post a video to you tube? What about privacy settings. Then how do you see it?

3/31/2020 08:33:56 am

Jane,

First you need to have a YouTube account. On the account there is a button that says Upload Video. Regarding privacy setting I am setting the recital videos to unlisted. This means that anyone can see it if they come to your YouTube site or as long as they have a link but YouTube will not promote the video to the public. This also will allow families to share the link it they wish. I'm still working on my recital. It will hopefully be completed by this weekend. Good luck!

LuAnn Bollenbach

3/26/2020 02:33:34 pm

I have given the option of lessons online and most students are on board. This week I did a trial run with them online just to make sure they had their cameras set up properly and we could see and hear each other well. Hopefully, next week when we start lessons, we won’t have to take time for technical issues. I’ve given the choice of FaceTime, zoom or Skype. Most have chosen FaceTime and I do find even the younger students are able to set up their iPads quite well on their own. I have my iPad set up on a music stand next to my piano and it works great. One mother was overwhelmed with all of the online classes, lessons and even dance classes she’s had to adapt to with her four children this week. The dance instructor wants to continue lessons 4 days a week! But I am finding that the students know how to work the technology, so they rise to the occasion and seem to be very comfortable with it. This is all definitely out of my comfort zone! Would love to continue to hear from all of you as you get into it, tips, tweaks, whatever you find as should go along that helps improve your online lessons. Thanks!

Miriam Shingle

4/15/2020 01:52:34 pm

I use Zoom exclusively - so much easier to keep track of who is using what, and I only have to send everyone ONCE my Personal Meeting ID and password. These are always the same for them to access lessons.

The only tweaks I can think of for using Zoom are:
Go to Settings/Audio/Advanced and
1. Check the box for showing Original Sound, and make sure to turn it on in the upper left of the meeting screen.
2. Disable "Suppress Persistent Background Noise"
3. Disable "Suppress Intermittent Background Noise"

Then make sure students do the same. It's not perfect but I think it helps. And yes, connectivity on your end or theirs is sometimes an issue. But at least we CAN teach this way!

3/28/2020 05:02:08 pm

I am now set up on zoom. The kids are fine with it and are quite happy to have lessons this way. I, like LuAnn, am not in my comfort zone, but I will just keep at it until it feels OK. Never did I think I would be doing this!

3/30/2020 12:07:53 pm

For tip sheets, replays of previous webinars and additional webinars, go to www.claviercompanion.com/covid19
These are webinars (offered almost daily) that cover online teaching topics.

4/2/2020 05:32:54 pm

Thank you.

Joy Thiessen

4/7/2020 08:41:51 pm

I've been teaching virtual lessons for a few weeks now, and it's going great. Last Saturday I hosted a "talent show" through Zoom and it was a big success! 15 kids played things they had been working on for the Constance Murray Piano Festival, etc. and I was glad they had a place to share. I'm planning another one in a couple more Saturdays. It is pretty casual--I just ask that performers please change out of their pajamas--but it gives them something to work towards. Also, in lessons I've been enjoying playing flashcard bingo and working more on rhythm and ear training with students. Also trying to get as many sibling duets going as possible! I hope you're all enjoying all the silver linings that come along with these unusual times.

4/7/2020 09:24:12 pm

Joy, what did you do about the sound quality on zoom? For me, it cuts out so much it is hard to hear the music well, especially on the longer pieces.

Joy

4/9/2020 10:24:54 pm

Jane, making sure that everyone at the show (in the meeting) was muted was key. There can't be anyone else talking or attempts at ensemble playing over Zoom, or else the sound just cuts out. If sound is still cutting out for a solo player with everyone else muted, it might just have to do with the player's connectivity--something we can't control! Just like in a normal lesson, as I listen for the best parts of a student's playing, sometimes over Zoom I have to listen to whatever I can make out!

4/8/2020 09:24:13 am

I am having the same problem with the sound on zoom. It works great except we sound like we are playing in two different keys but it is the same piece. Do you have suggestions Joy?

4/15/2020 01:43:24 pm

Annette, some of my students' pianos are quite out of tune, and at least two of them are a half-step lower than they should be. But I don't think it's due to Zoom because other pianos are okay, and those who have keyboards sound just fine in pitch.

4/19/2020 04:59:53 pm

Thanks Miriam for the tip. Also, a special thanks to you and Jonathan for Bonnie’s online meeting. What a treat that was and she seemed very down to earth but very knowledgeable.

The Main Line Muse

SPECIAL EDITION: Teaching During the Coronavirus

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