Online lessons use a combination of lessons via video conferencing platforms such Zoom as well as video recording submissions. Regular online lessons are available at my discretion to students who live further than 60 miles away from my studio, and have completed one year of harp study in person. I also offer online video lessons when I’m traveling, in combination with in-person lessons, during inclement weather events, as a precaution during pandemics, or in other emergency situations.

Tips for successful online lessons

• Set up your computer or mobile device close to the WiFi router (in the same room if possible). The more walls and appliances such as TVs or Microwaves the wifi has to travel through, the slower the signal. Being close to the router will help your upload speeds and make the video connection more stable. 
• Avoid having a light or window directly behind you. This makes it hard for me to see you, your hands, and your harp strings. Place a light source (such as a lamp) behind the camera on your device if possible.
• ​Have the ability to plug in your device to charge. Video conferencing drains battery life. Getting all set-up only to realize you have a low battery and can’t reach the plug is frustrating and time consuming.
• Position your device about arms length away from you and ideally about eye level in height. If it’s too far away the software will have trouble picking up the harp sound if you are using the internal microphone on your device. In harp lessons, I need to see your hands on the strings as you play and your face at the same time. 
• You don’t need fancy holders or stands for your device. You can use a 2nd music stand, a barstool, or a tall piece of furniture to position your device for harp lessons.
• For better video quality, limit the amount of bandwidth used on your WiFi network and on your device during your lesson. Encourage others in your household network not to stream video or play online games while you are video conferencing.
• Close out all other applications using internet like web browsers, email clients, facebook, etc. on your device.
• Use headphones (the kind with a microphone built in) to dramatically improve the sound quality and prevent feedback. 
• External microphones will improve the sound quality. They are optional for beginners or those playing smaller harps, but recommended for more advanced students or those playing pedal harps. 
• Give yourself plenty of time to get set-up, especially before your first lesson online. It always takes longer than you think to login to and position everything where you want it.

Using Zoom

Zoom is my preferred platform for online video conference lessons. It is free, it works on all computer operating systems, and all mobile devices with a front facing camera. With the right settings, the sound quality on Zoom is usually better than other platforms. Here are some helpful Zoom hints:

• Use the desktop or laptop version of Zoom, if possible. Compared to the computer version, the Zoom app for mobile devices does not have as many features - particularly when it comes to sound settings.
• Zoom works better and the video connection is more stable on a cabled ethernet connection plugged directly into your router or using WiFi. If you are using Zoom on a mobile device make sure you are connected to WiFi and not using cellular data.
• Enable the option to Preserve Original Sound in the Settings on your computer or mobile device to dramatically improve Zoom’s ability to share musical sounds. You will need to click “Turn on Original Sound” or "Enable Original Sound" at the beginning of every Zoom lesson.
• Double check all of your audio settings including the option to Preserve Original Sound using the Configure your Zoom Audio Settings instructions for computers or mobile devices below.
• Here is a YouTube playlist with helpful Zoom Tutorials.
• Having trouble with Zoom? Click here to find instructions for desktop and mobile versions of zoom on all operating systems. 

Configure Your Zoom​ Audio Settings

​in the Desktop App

On the computer version of Zoom please change your audio settings so they are configured as follows for online lessons. Scroll down further for mobile device instructions. (Updated as of 2-1-21)

Step 1: Access your Audio Settings​ (either from the Zoom application, or in a meeting)

In the Zoom desktop app, click the gear wheel to access "Audio Settings"

In a meeting, click the up arrow by the microphone to access "Audio Settings"

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Step 2: ​Make sure "Audio" is selected on the left, and scroll down to adjust your settings to look like these.

Step 3: Under the "Advanced" button adjust your settings to look like these.

Then scroll down to click the "Advanced" button.

Be sure Echo Cancelation is set to "Auto"

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Step 4: Now you will see this button once you are in your Zoom lesson. You will need to manually click "Turn on Original Sound" (Once selected it will then read "Turn Off Original Sound"). You may need to repeat this step at the beginning of every lesson. All the settings in steps 1- 3 will remain configured that way, until you change them.

Zoom automatically suppresses sounds other than the human voice, because most of the time when people talk on Zoom everything else is background noise. By clicking "Turn on Original Sound" Zoom will allow musical sounds to be transmitted rather than suppressed or filtered out.

Configure Your Zoom​ Audio Settings

​in the Mobile Device App

On the mobile device version of Zoom please change your audio settings so they are configured as follows for online lessons.

Step 1: Access your Settings​, then click "Meetings"

Step 2: Scroll down to "Use Original Sound" and toggle the switch to the ON position

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Step 3: At the start of EVERY zoom lesson, you will need to click on "More" with the 3 dots icon, and then click on "Enable Original Sound" (the window will disappear, but if you click "More" again it will then read "Disable Original Sound"). You may need to repeat this step before every lesson. All the settings in steps 1 & 2 will remain configured that way, until you change them.

Zoom automatically suppresses sounds other than the human voice, because most of the time when people talk on Zoom everything else is background noise. By clicking "Enable Original Sound" Zoom will allow musical sounds to be transmitted rather than suppressed or filtered out.