As the world is experiencing another global lockdown due to the COVID19 pandemic, the progress that a lot of people were making in different activities, hobbies, and professions has been halted. The good news is that the digital world was able to fill the gap that was caused by the quarantine. Those who were learning music at a musical center can resume their lessons online. Some even prefer learning music online because it’s more convenient. The process of learning music is a continuous one, and it’s not just dedication that you need; you’ll also need some essential gear.
We’ve collected a list of the essential tools you’ll want to have before your first online music class.
High-Quality Camera and Proper Setup
Regardless of the device you choose to pick for your classes, it's often a mistake to depend on its built-in camera. Cameras in Laptops and tablets usually don't have the best quality, which can negatively affect your learning experience. To ensure that your teacher can clearly see your playing technique, you need a high-quality camera with proper placement. If you are taking singing lessons, then you need to make sure that the camera is fixed at eye level right in front of you. If you are learning how to play musical instruments, then it's best to direct the camera towards your hand to show your techniques. All of this can’t be done without a good internet connection to make sure that your class will not be interrupted by weak signals.
Music Theory Book
Any avid music player understands the importance of music theory. Without ample music theory knowledge, your music online classes will not be as beneficial. The music experts from HelloMusicTheory.com understand that learning music theory can be extremely overwhelming and confusing, which is why they recommend looking for simplified resources that can help you learn music theory with ease. Making sure that you are all set before starting your classes plays a huge role in how effective your learning experience will be.
Streaming Microphone
Tablets and laptops don’t always come with the best sound quality. A high-quality streaming microphone is needed to ensure that your teacher can listen to your playing technique loud and clear. This plays a huge role in determining your progress. Relying on your headset is another classic mistake to avoid. While some headsets are great at capturing voice, the majority of them just cause distortion. If you are distorting, you can try taking a step back away from your equipment. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then a streaming microphone is essential to avoid these technical issues.
Musical Instrument
If you are learning how to sing, then only a microphone and a quality speaker will do. Yet, you can still take it up a notch and buy a guitar, keyboard, or piano to learn how to read music. This will help you master the art of singing while playing a musical instrument. On the other hand, if you are learning how to play music, then you will need the right musical instrument for your lessons. Some instruments are created specifically for beginners. If this option is available, then make sure to make use of it. Other important factors to consider in order to buy the right instrument for you other than your skill level, are your size and age. For example, some violins and guitars are created to suit smaller learners to ensure that they have a good grip and better handling of their instruments.
Choose the Right Conferencing Software
Before you begin exploring different conferencing software, it’s important to make sure that you have a good device for your learning experience. While tablets might seem to be the right option for some people, it’s always better to go for the biggest screen size. In these situations, laptops and desktops come in handy much better than smartphones and tablets. After this, you can begin to test different conferencing software in order to pick the one with the least problems and connection issues. Try different software such as Zoom, Skype, or Google meets after testing them multiple times to make sure that you have a stable connection and the best possible software for your needs.
High-Quality Camera and Proper Setup
Regardless of the device you choose to pick for your classes, it's often a mistake to depend on its built-in camera. Cameras in Laptops and tablets usually don't have the best quality, which can negatively affect your learning experience. To ensure that your teacher can clearly see your playing technique, you need a high-quality camera with proper placement. If you are taking singing lessons, then you need to make sure that the camera is fixed at eye level right in front of you. If you are learning how to play musical instruments, then it's best to direct the camera towards your hand to show your techniques. All of this can’t be done without a good internet connection to make sure that your class will not be interrupted by weak signals.
Music Theory Book
Any avid music player understands the importance of music theory. Without ample music theory knowledge, your music online classes will not be as beneficial. The music experts from HelloMusicTheory.com understand that learning music theory can be extremely overwhelming and confusing, which is why they recommend looking for simplified resources that can help you learn music theory with ease. Making sure that you are all set before starting your classes plays a huge role in how effective your learning experience will be.
Streaming Microphone
Tablets and laptops don’t always come with the best sound quality. A high-quality streaming microphone is needed to ensure that your teacher can listen to your playing technique loud and clear. This plays a huge role in determining your progress. Relying on your headset is another classic mistake to avoid. While some headsets are great at capturing voice, the majority of them just cause distortion. If you are distorting, you can try taking a step back away from your equipment. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then a streaming microphone is essential to avoid these technical issues.
Musical Instrument
If you are learning how to sing, then only a microphone and a quality speaker will do. Yet, you can still take it up a notch and buy a guitar, keyboard, or piano to learn how to read music. This will help you master the art of singing while playing a musical instrument. On the other hand, if you are learning how to play music, then you will need the right musical instrument for your lessons. Some instruments are created specifically for beginners. If this option is available, then make sure to make use of it. Other important factors to consider in order to buy the right instrument for you other than your skill level, are your size and age. For example, some violins and guitars are created to suit smaller learners to ensure that they have a good grip and better handling of their instruments.
Choose the Right Conferencing Software
Before you begin exploring different conferencing software, it’s important to make sure that you have a good device for your learning experience. While tablets might seem to be the right option for some people, it’s always better to go for the biggest screen size. In these situations, laptops and desktops come in handy much better than smartphones and tablets. After this, you can begin to test different conferencing software in order to pick the one with the least problems and connection issues. Try different software such as Zoom, Skype, or Google meets after testing them multiple times to make sure that you have a stable connection and the best possible software for your needs.
Even if you’re new to music or online courses altogether, you’ll be able to quickly get the hang of it with the equipment mentioned here. It can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming when you try to prepare everything all at once, so it’s recommended that you prioritize the gear that you need over the ones that you want when you’re first starting out.
