VIRTUAL MUSIC LESSONS
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A VIRTUAL LESSON?
A cell phone, tablet, Ipad, or laptop or computer ( a cell phone is honestly fine and many students find it to be sufficient!)
Your instrument and music!
Singers- it helps to use a bluetooth speaker and microphone but is NOT essential.
Instrumentalists- an instrument that is the right size, and type for you. Please contact me for sizing info for strings players.
PIANO/KEYBOARD: I recommend no less than 61 semi weighted keys for beginner piano players, preferably 76-88 semi weighted to weighted keys or, the best choice is to learn on a standard upright piano, as it has the right touch, action and a pedal.
GUITAR- Consider starting on an acoustic guitar first as it truly builds finger strength, although if you only rock out to heavy metal and punk rock you may just know right away that electric guitar or electric bass is your calling. An acoustic guitar also has an option to be acoustic electric, which in my opinion is the best way to go. The instrument can be amped, you can add special effects, a pedal board, and if you become proficient on this instrument, you have the ability to be heard in performance through amplification.
Singers/ Instrumentalists- access to Youtube to play music and tracks. If you have an account you can create a playlist and save your music and videos that you are using there. I personally use PREMIUM daily so find it very worthwhile,
Good wifi connection or internet connected to your device directly by ethernet.
A room or area of your home where you feel comfortable to ‘take’ your lessons that has good lighting, is quiet, and has the best wifi reception.
Understand that virtual lessons are different- but are still very VERY effective!
An area in your space, or home, that you can dedicate to practicing, in order to make the investment in lessons worthwhile longterm. For singers, this could be their ‘car,’ or ‘shower’ as silly as it sounds, but having a routine, and area that will be your place to practice pre-established ensures the routine of practicing will begin. I also insist you must need an instrument of your own to truly progress, especially in distance learning, if you are enrolling in instrumental classes.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
You and your teacher will agree on your lesson time. Typically you may text your teacher or chat briefly a few minutes before class begins to ensure both parties are ready. Then, if you have an Apple device your teacher will Facetime you. If you have an Android device or other brand of tablet or cell phone, your teacher will Skype you. Facetime requires no account. It is automatically installed in your device. Skype will require you to set up your free lite account before the first virtual class. It takes a few minutes, that’s all.
Once the call has been initiated and answered to start the virtual class, your teacher, once you are connected via Skype or Facetime , will then VIRTUALLY see you on camera through her device and you will see him or her. You will now be able to work freely and in real time on the goals of the day. Then, your lesson will begin!
TIPS FOR VIRTUAL LESSON SUCCESS!
Take turns talking- do not talk at once.
Remember that there is always a small delay, no matter how fast your connection, so all music and tracks (sound) will be played from student’s end.
Have a pencil right by you at all times to write new notes or feedback in to your music.
Your teacher may choose to give feedback and critique after the student has played, instead of during. It is difficult to interrupt students effectively while playing, so instead I personally find it is better for students to be ready for feedback after they show me what they worked on, at the very end of their first run through.
Please send any new music that you have found or are wanting to learn to the teacher ahead of the lesson, as your teacher will do for you.
If the screen freezes or we experience any technical difficulties, be patient for a moment and please communicate if you need anything repeated. If a call has issues that continue I will hang up and call again.
PURCHASING/DOWNLOADING SHEET MUSIC:
All sheet music is included in the price of private lessons. Occasionally you may need to purchase a book or a song selection, but PJM does its best to provide everything for you. However, below are several resources for you, including many from which we get music from.
I use two websites for downloading various pieces of sheet music for all instruments and the voice. These are song choices of all genres and some that may be very new and popular, and deserve and require purchase due to copyright laws.
www.musicnotes.com
I also use the following site to find and purchase popular arrangements for all instruments. These songs are also copyrighted so, as always, it is important to purchase these songs or arrangements.
www.musescore.com
FREE PIANO and FREE GUITAR MUSIC and THEORY RESOURCES
Some of my go to- main resources! Many of our piano and guitar players can access their sheet music here!
www.gmajormusictheory.org
www.ultimateguitar.com
www.music-for-music-teachers.com
https://makingmusicfun.net/htm/printit_free_printable_sheet_music_index.php
( copy and paste the above link into your browser)
THEORY LESSONS RESOURCES:
Appropriate for students in grades K- 12 :
MUSIC THEORY, CHORDS, SCALES, NOTE READING WORKSHEETS:
www.music-theory-for-musicians.com/music-theory-worksheets.html
HOW TO READ PIANO MUSIC/ PIANO KEYBOARD LAYOUT:
https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnNtHl5xPvnvnUCgLaeTfqEf8D62
HOW TO TUNE YOUR GUITAR:
Download a free app for your phone or tablet from FENDER on the APP store- use it on AUTO. Turn microphone on. Watch the circle as you tune - if it stays right of the center circle with your string name, then your string is sharp. If it stays left, your string is flat. Look for it to hit the center of the screen where the string name is for it to be correct and light up green.
HOW TO READ GUITAR TABLATURE: https://www.simplifyingtheory.com/how-to-read-guitar-tabs/
PRINTABLE GUITAR CHORD CHART:
VIOLIN PLAYING BASICS and FINGERING CHART:
www.ducksters.com/musicforkids/violin_playing_basics.php
www.violinonline.com/fingerboard-chart.html
CELLO FINGERING CHART: https://www.moraneducation.com/Free_Cello_Fingering_Charts/First_Position_Cello_Fingering_Chart.pdf
VIOLIN / CELLO TUNING:
I recommend Simply tuner, an app available on the App store on most devices.
VOCAL WARMUP and TECHNIQUES RESOURCE:
Breathing exercise: Take a large diaphragmatic breath. As you do gradually fill your belly with air for the count of 5, feeling it push out as it fills with air. Then hold your belly and the air in it for 5, followed by a slow release of the air for 5.
If you have trouble feeling the benefits of this exercise and your diaphragm expanding in the right direction ( out) try it laying down, flat on the floor, with a heavy book on your belly. If you see the book rise up to the ceiling, you will be doing it right!
Please also be careful, as you may feel lightheaded when doing this, so always check with your doctor first before doing these more physical exercises for vocal health and warmups.
Verba Vocal Technique ( YOUTUBE CHANNEL)
Check out: Professional Warmups Video, 7 day singing course videos ( use one every day of the week to focus on different skills in between lessons.)