Setup for Online Lessons

Internet

A wired connection is ideal. If you're on Wi-Fi, sit close to the router. Most

audio dropouts come down to the connection, not your gear.

Zoom

We use Zoom for lessons. Download it free from zoom.us/download and set up a free account — that's all you need. You can join from a web browser in a pinch, but the app is more reliable and gives us the audio settings that make your playing sound right.

Headphones

Please wear headphones — any wired pair works. They stop echo and keep your

sound clean. This one isn't optional; it makes a real difference.

Microphone

Your computer's built-in mic is fine to start. If you'd like better sound, a

basic USB mic like the Samson Q2U (around $60) is a simple, worthwhile upgrade —

and for some students I'm happy to provide one. Aim it at your instrument from a

foot or two away, off to the side rather than straight at the bell.

Camera

Set your camera so I can see your hands and posture, not just your face.

Propping your laptop up on a few books usually does the trick.

One Zoom setting that matters

Zoom's defaults clean up speech but mangle music. We'll turn on Original Sound

for Musicians (in Settings → Audio), which keeps your playing sounding like

playing. There's also an on/off toggle at the top-left during the lesson — I'll

remind you until it's habit. Don't worry about getting this exactly right on

your own; we'll set it up together.