Setting up for Zoom lessons and classes

Zoom music lessons and classes with Kreenah Dunsmore 

2021-2022 School Year

Contact information:
email: [email protected] 
phone: (616) 648-3011 (call or text)

Guidelines to maximize our success with the technical end of this experience

1. You will need to download and keep updated the current application of Zoom. Laptops or tablets have the best response. I do not recommend phones, due to the unstable connection and lack of audio fidelity.
Zoom Download Center 

2. WiFi, high speed internet is the best connection. Hot Spots through a phone are quite unstable. 
 3. Extra webcams or microphones are not necessary, but helpful. Wired to your laptop through the USB hub is best. However, your FaceTime HD (built in) audio and video will work just fine. You may sign in with multiple devices (see #5 below). 
 4. Setting up: Optimally I would like to see your instrument. If piano, set your laptop or tablet on a music stand, bookcase, or tripod in an elevated position to your side so that the angle shows your hands and the keyboard. If you play the  Clarinet, ukulele or guitar, set the laptop or tablet in front of you and to your right side (so that your music stand doesn’t block my view of your instrument.) Strings are tricky in getting both hands in the shot, so moving yourself or the camera occasionally may be needed during the lesson.  If you would also like a face-face shot, you may set up a second webcam on your music stand itself, or piano fall board. Vocal students should have a camera view from waist up. Again, the extra webcam is not necessary unless you don’t have a laptop or iPad. 
 5. Logging on: If you’ve never used Zoom before, you will need to download through the above link. Then, go to Zoom.us, and enter the meeting ID I provided to you. There will also be a password. If you join from the personal link I sent, that should take you directly to the meeting. Click “Join Meeting” You may also have to click “Open Zoom meeting” at some point. For security purposes, there will be a waiting room. I will have to manually allow you in to begin. If I’m not there yet, please just wait. Always reply “yes” to join video and “yes” to join audio. If you have more than one device, only accept audio on ONE of them (the one closest to your instrument). Audio will loop, or echo, if more devices are too close to one another at one location. 

6. Please note: I will record your lesson, sometimes turning the recording on and off during our session. Please click on “Okay, got it” each time you are prompted. There will be an announcement made when recordings begin.
 7. AUDIO Settings for meeting. On a laptop: Audio at the bottom left of your black window, hover the cursor and a “mute” with microphone icon will appear. Click on the up arrow and you will see audio choices. Built in audio and speakers should be selected already. You may “test speaker and microphone”. Under that, at the bottom is “audio settings”. Click here and choose “advanced”. Here you need to disable noise cancellation. Otherwise, sustained musical sounds (long notes) are perceived as background noise, and are stopped. I check the box at the top also “show in-meeting option to enable original sound”, and then you can click on it each time at the top of your page instead of going into audio advance options each time. Setting this option enhances music production, but also allows background noise. Therefore, I expect that, just as you would with an in-person lesson, family members will be in another part of the house, participating in quiet activities during the Zoom lesson. Please minimize other people and pets walking through the lesson space, or activities like vacuuming, banging dishes, watching TV, etc. At the same time, if you are in a class situation, please “mute” yourself unless you are talking to the class. This will minimize audio cut outs due to sneezes, page turns, cars going by, and the like. If more than one person is logged into the same lesson on separate devices, you must either not accept audio upon entering, or be very far apart within your home.
 8. VIDEO Settings for meeting. Video next to the microphone icon: again on the up arrow, click “video settings” and select “turn off mirror my video”. You may enhance definition if you like. Scroll down, and click “advanced” options, and enable “denoise” and “hardware acceleration”. This will help minimize video lag. Some is inevitable due to whatever else is running on your wifi system. Other devices in your home may create lag during lessons, so be aware of this with other people in the home during our Zoom experiences. This includes computers, gaming devices, etc. 
Class Preferred View: Gallery View (click on top right of screen). 

9. Courtesy: As I have prepared and set aside this time for my students,

• I expect the same respect. Please have your materials: books, instrument, capo, reeds, music stand, pencil, on hand before coming to the meeting. Feel free to sign in a few minutes early just in case there is a Zoom update. I may be working with another student, just as with in-person lessons, and will let you into the meeting when I am ready for you. If it’s more than a few minutes past your start time, try texting me: (616) 648-3011. Or restart your login.
• Please don’t play or speak while I am giving instruction. It’s like a speaker phone, and audio will cut out. 
• Be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand. If it is a class and not private lesson, use the “chat” feature on the center of the bottom dock where audio and video are found. Chose to send question to “everyone” or just to me “host”, Kreenah accordingly.

10. Payment and fees. Payment is expected monthly by the first lesson or class of the month, unless otherwise arranged. Private lessons are $30 for 45 minutes. Extra time is allowed for technical issues. Classes are $30 per class, unless there is a special. Remember that you may have multiple students/devices from your location for classes. There is no extra fee for more children. All children must be prepared, engaged, and courteous throughout our time. Lesson fees are paid through your Lesson Hub.