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Tips & Tricks
Getting Started: Simple Steps To Record
1) Sign up for a free account with an email (https://www.bandlab.com/ )
2) Click the “Create” button on the top right
3) Select “Voice/Mic” and press the Red Record Button
Now that you are recording, make sure you press Save (top right) if you don’t want to lose your work! There is much much more that you can do with Bandlab but don’t get intimidated. Try to keep it fun and keep exploring. Below you will find a few resources to help you keep learning about what you can do with Bandlab. As always, if you have questions or need anything please email me (jordan@wosmith.org) and I will be glad to help!
Prezi Slideshow about Bandlab - https://prezi.com/ztzwgtcluyk3/
Getting Started Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAHn_0Vy-Zg
Youtube Channel about Bandlab - https://www.youtube.com/c/BandLab-Music
Matching Music - This allows teachers and students to see the same thing on both ends of the online lesson. You can call out page numbers, example numbers, reference the same markings and text, as well as aim you camera to point while they follow.
Computers - Using a computer gives you many more options from zoom audio and video to different applications/software you can use and share with students via share screen.
Headphones - Simply put…more direct sound is easier to hear and understand. It also allows you to crank the volume up without disturbing others around you(same for your students).
Metronomes - This is the simplest way to confirm your student’s timing in a virtual lesson. Play an example for them along with your metronome and tell them what to set theirs to before they play it back on their side. Remember that if you have your metronome on and ask them to play along, it will sound out of time for you because of the internet delay.
Practice Schedule - Students don’t inherently know how to practice or hold themselves accountable. If you walk them through how to set practice time aside they are significantly more likely to practice throughout the week. Ask them to set Calendar Reminders in their phone and allow them time to do that during the lesson.
If you have questions or want more info about any of this please email jordan@wosmith.org
To request Music, Metronomes, Computers, Headphones…etc. please email Anna@wosmith.org
1) Theory - Work on their knowledge of reading music. This will be different for every student but you will know fairly quickly what their reading level is. From there you can choose what to focus on.
2) Listening - Pull up some youtube videos of people performing and listen to them with your student using share screen/share computer sound. Ask them questions about what they notice and what they heard.
3) Perform - Every student LOVES to hear their teacher perform. Choose a piece that shows something they have been working on…coordination, expression…etc. Ask them what they noticed in your performance.
4) Composing - This can come in various forms. Compose using only finger numbers, scale degrees, rhythmic subdivisions…etc. Just make sure it is written down in some way so you can revisit it and expand on it.
5) Improv - Find something they is level appropriate and show them how to start simply. Ex: Pick a scale, have them choose 1 note to improv with, expand to 2 notes…etc. There are tons of backing tracks to improvise along to on youtube if you want to play along with something.
6) Change the Order - If you normally start with scales, put them last…etc. This simple switch can grab and hold your student’s attention since they will notice something is different. They will be more on their toes waiting to see what else might be different.
7) Online Games - There are tons of free online games about music. You can do these together via share screen. I would suggest starting on www.musictheory.net
8) Invite a Friend - Do you have a significant other or a roommate who could join you for the last 5 mins of your lesson? They don’t need to be musically inclined…just willing to listen. This gives the student a mini performance experience.
9) Sight Reading - In online lessons it is especially likely to overlook certain skills like sight reading. Through sites like https://opensheetmusiceducation.org/generate-sight-reading-practice/ you can generate endless sight reading material catered to your student’s skills.
10) Share Music - Nothing will give you more insight into your student’s tastes and musical ambitions than finding out what music they care about. If you share the music that you are passionate about and tell them why you care about it. They are more likely to offer up the same in exchange.
Pick and choose from this list to enhance your lessons using technology. Make sure that the tech you choose to use is going to be sustainable for you. If you think you won’t be able to use it after 2 lessons is it worth the time investment? The best part about most of this technology is that once it is set up it is much easier to utilize week to week!
Each time you get on Zoom you will need to click “Original Sound: On”. These steps change your broadcast settings. That means your student will hear you better. In order for you to hear them better they will also need to change these settings on their end.
Each time you get on Zoom you will need to click “Original Sound: On”. These steps change your broadcast settings. That means your student will hear you better. In order for you to hear them better they will also need to change these settings on their end.
