Online Singing Lessons FAQ
"I have been having singing lessons with Sally for the past 3 months and have recently switched to online via Zoom. This approach has translated seamlessly to online lessons - the technology works very well and if anything it is a bit easier to relax and free up the voice from the comfort of one's own home!" Rick Clark, NHS worker.
Singing Lessons Online work really well. Of course, they cannot replace the vibe that you get with 'in person' lessons but having singing lessons online is great for working with brilliant coaches and teachers that you can’t get to in person. They are also great for maintaining motivation, getting simple and easy exercises that you can do on a daily basis to help build your voice and of course, they keep you held accountable.
So how do they work?
- We do vocal exercises in exactly the same way. The accompaniment is basic with simple chord drops.
- Sometimes I might send you pre recorded vocal exercises or send you a link to exercises via YouTube or Spotify.
- For accompaniment, you simply play your backing tracks your end via YouTube, Spotify or CD (old school!). It’s always best to make sure the device you play your music on is different to the device you are using Zoom on, but it's not always essential.
- The great thing about being in your own home is that you may feel more comfortable and so you can relax into your lessons a bit more.
What if I don't feel comfortable in my own home?
Good question! Some people feel embarrassed to have singing lessons in their own home because people might be listening, like neighbours or family members. Remember this is perfectly normal. Most people feel like this because humans don't like feeling vulnerable. My advice is to be brave, tell people what's going on and that you'd like them to respect your privacy. Set some firm boundaries! The first time you do this it might feel a little odd but once you've got over the fear of the first lesson, you'll be plain sailing for future lessons. Trust me on this! It's highly liberating!
What equipment will I need?
The biggest issue with online singing lessons is time lag and audio quality so here are my top tips to ensuring the best quality.
- Platform: Zoom all the way! Zoom is the most stable online platform for having singing lessons online. Simply download it onto your device from zoom.us and I will send you a link to click just before the time of our appointment. That link will take you directly into the video meeting area. Wait for me and I’ll be there.
- Device: You can install Zoom on your laptop, tablet or phone. Which ever one of your devices has the newest and best processor is the one you want to use for your singing lessons. Laptops are usually the best for stability but I’ve done lessons via phones before!
- Mic: Your headphones may have a built in microphones which is great. Otherwise you can use an external microphone like the IUKUS (£15). A clip mic would also do as would any condenser mic. I use a Rode NT USB. Email me for more recommendations.
- Headphones: Headphones will improve what you hear so it's worth using them.
- Internet Connection: This is the biggest issue with audio, so make sure you are set up close to the router or for best results hard wire your router into your laptop using an ethernet cable (this is what I do).
How can I improve my sound quality?
If you're on a laptop, you’ll want to go into Zoom preferences (mac) or settings (PC). Click ‘audio’ and uncheck the box that says ‘automatically adjust microphone settings’. While you're there you'll want to make sure that 'suppress background noise' is set to 'low.' If 'suppress background noise' is set to anything other than low, it will cut out when you sing.
If you have the latest Zoom update, it now has a new feature called 'Original Sound'. This is WONDERFUL news for us musicians. You'll want all the settings associated with 'Original Sound' to be switched ON. However, this takes us a lot of bandwidth, so only use this if you are hardwired into the internet and have a good CPU.
If you have the latest Zoom update, it now has a new feature called 'Original Sound'. This is WONDERFUL news for us musicians. You'll want all the settings associated with 'Original Sound' to be switched ON. However, this takes us a lot of bandwidth, so only use this if you are hardwired into the internet and have a good CPU.