We have an exciting way to deal with sick days and the Corona lock down. Video lessons! We're using Zoom, which gives us a lot of helpful sharing options like document sharing, whiteboards, and you can even record your lesson to review later. If you're not familiar with Zoom, I've created step-by-step instructions to get you going.
First things first.
You will need a device with a camera. Phones and tablets are the easiest since they have all the pieces and parts you'll need. If you need a bigger screen you can use a computer but you need to have a webcam. I'm pretty sure any laptop sold after 2012 will have a camera. Chromebooks...yep! They'll work. You may have a hard time installing Zoom on a school Chromebook. I don't a way around that.
Placing the device is also an issue. If you play piano, you'll need a device to hold your phone. Cases and stands make phones point up. This is the wrong direction for piano lessons, but is fine for guitar or voice. I have a "make a stand cheap" video. You can view it HERE.
First things first.
You will need a device with a camera. Phones and tablets are the easiest since they have all the pieces and parts you'll need. If you need a bigger screen you can use a computer but you need to have a webcam. I'm pretty sure any laptop sold after 2012 will have a camera. Chromebooks...yep! They'll work. You may have a hard time installing Zoom on a school Chromebook. I don't a way around that.
Placing the device is also an issue. If you play piano, you'll need a device to hold your phone. Cases and stands make phones point up. This is the wrong direction for piano lessons, but is fine for guitar or voice. I have a "make a stand cheap" video. You can view it HERE.
Once you figure out what device you want to use, you'll need to download the Zoom app and get connected to your teacher. Here's how you do it.
1. Download and Install Zoom. It's free. There are a few similarly named apps on the App and Play store. You want the one titled: "Zoom Cloud Meetings"
2. Click "Sign Up" if you don't already have an account.
--- Note: Multiple Students. If you have two children who take lessons at the same time you will need two devices with two different accounts. You don't have to set up two devices unless your lessons are simultaneous. ---
3. In the email field, fill in the email address you provided The Stage when you signed up and put in either the student's name or the name of the parent who is usually responsible for coordinating lessons. That will help us recognize you without confusion.
4. Confirm your email. When I checked my Gmail account, the Zoom confirmation email was stuck under "social". So look under your spam folders if you don't see the confirmation email. ATTN: during each of the following steps you'll be asked to download Zoom Client. Ignore this. You've already done that during step 1.
5. The confirmation link will redirect you to Zoom's website. You'll have to sign in AGAIN. At this point you'll be confirmed and we can link accounts.
4. Confirm your email. When I checked my Gmail account, the Zoom confirmation email was stuck under "social". So look under your spam folders if you don't see the confirmation email. ATTN: during each of the following steps you'll be asked to download Zoom Client. Ignore this. You've already done that during step 1.
5. The confirmation link will redirect you to Zoom's website. You'll have to sign in AGAIN. At this point you'll be confirmed and we can link accounts.
6. Some time before your first lesson we will send you a text invite to link accounts. We only text parents, NOT students. However, you do not have to use the phone we text for video conferencing.
There are two options. 1: sign in from your phone with the info from your child's device (email and password) to accept the contact link. Or, forward the text sent to your phone to the device you want to use for lessons. Contact linking is based on who you are signed in as, not based on the device you are using.
Here's what the link looks like.
There are two options. 1: sign in from your phone with the info from your child's device (email and password) to accept the contact link. Or, forward the text sent to your phone to the device you want to use for lessons. Contact linking is based on who you are signed in as, not based on the device you are using.
Here's what the link looks like.
When you click that link you'll be directed to the website to sign in for the third and final time. You'll also be asked to download Zoom Client. Ignore that. Sign in one more time after clicking that link and now you'll be in our contacts. Your instructor will "call" you through the Zoom app at your normal lesson time.
Please unlock your device and open Zoom to the Home Screen at your normal lesson time to await the call from your instructor.
