Early this year, when my friends at Percussion Source asked if I would be interested in writing a blog for percussionists and music educators, I thought it’d be a fun way to interact with others who are passionate about music-making and teaching. As I began to compile blog topics, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, which caused sweeping changes around the world. When universities and schools moved to online modes of instruction, educators unfamiliar with digital learning were scrambling for guidance on how to deliver content. Private teachers and performers who have never offered online lessons faced similar struggles.
There’s a strong sense of community in the arts, and many arts organizations, businesses, and Learning Management Software (LMS) companies have been offering free seminars to guide online instruction.
I have modest experience in digital learning, and thought this would be a timely first blog topic. For 20 years, I was a telecommuting employee, and since 2016 have been offering online product training and online percussion lessons. I’ve used a few different LMS platforms to teach blended and fully online Arts Entrepreneurship courses at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC).
What’s needed to teach online?
Computer and modem
For stable connection and the best user experience, it’s best to have a computer wired to the internet with an ethernet cable. At the very least, it’s important to have a fast Wi-Fi connection. This will greatly reduce latency—the time it takes for information to process. In my home studio I run fiber and rarely have a connectivity issue. It’s important for everyone on the call to adhere to the same connectivity standards.
Video camera(s)
While built-in cameras and microphones will work, you will have greater flexibility using external devices, and different camera angles will enhance the user experience. There are many 1080p cameras on the market, so find one that meets your needs. I like 1080 because it will give a clearer picture, which is better for teaching. I’ve been using a Logitech C920 on a camera tripod because it’s small, portable, and I can maneuver it easily around my teaching sets.
External microphone(s)
I’ve long used a mixing board with XLR mics, but USB mics have improved greatly over the years. (XLR is a connector commonly used in Audio) Recently, I’ve been using a Zoom H5 audio recorder as an audio interface. It’s small, mounts on a stand, and has the ability to add up to 2 XLR mics, one of which could be a wired lavalier for speaking.
Monitor
Due to an instrument’s size or a multiple-instrument set-up, it’s not always possible for percussionists to have a computer close enough to a set-up, so I use a 32-inch computer monitor to see at farther distances, which is helpful for clarity when watching students play in online lessons. Its large size also makes reading from teleprompter software much easier.
Adapters and cables
I use a MacBook Pro with USB-C ports, which means that in order to run HDMI or ethernet cables, or peripherals with USB cables, I have to use adapters that have USB-C cable on one end and relevant receivers on the other. Your computer will determine your specific needs.
Lighting
I use a lighting kit when shooting video, but haven’t used it during lessons. Your specific venue may warrant additional lighting for a better experience for your student.
Software
There are a variety of video conferencing software platforms, and of the 10+ I’ve used, my current preference is Zoom. In my experience it’s the most stable and robust. I have a professional account which can host up to 300 participants at once, and my meeting time is unlimited. The software also has the ability to run a report on attendees and even their attentiveness; plus, lessons can be recorded. Zoom offers a free version of the software that has a limit on both number of participants and duration of meetings. It’s also worth noting that when a lesson is recorded, as soon as the lesson is over, the host receives a link to separate video and audio files, the shared screen with speaker view (if used in the lesson), and a surprisingly accurate audio transcript.
Audio settings
Most video conferencing platforms have a way to change the settings to reduce the compression. Audio compression causes participants to hear a sound delay or sudden volume drop when high-pitched instruments are played, or a “white noise” sound when percussion instruments are played loudly. Controlling or eliminating compression greatly enhances your student’s experience during music lessons.
Here are photos of my setup from 2 different angles. You’ll notice it’s flexible and can be repositioned fairly easily.
If you have questions or would like to suggest topics for my guest blogging for Percussion Source, please feel free to contact me at guestblogger@percussionsource.com. By working together, we can come out of this stronger than before—and with opportunities we’ve not yet imagined!
Thanks for reading! Stay safe and keep learning,
Nick
Nick Petrella is on the faculty of the UMKC Conservatory, where he coordinates the percussion program and teaches courses in Arts Entrepreneurship. He has commissioned and premiered over a dozen compositions and appeared as a clinician, adjudicator, teacher and performer throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. Nick has played with the Kansas City Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, Fort Worth/Dallas Ballet, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and Michigan Opera Theatre. In 2002, he and pianist Diane Petrella formed the Petrella Ensemble, which has appeared throughout the US, Europe, and Mexico.
A large portion of Nick’s career has been devoted to the music industry. From 2000 to 2019, he was the Director of Education for SABIAN Ltd. where he was responsible for sales, marketing and artist relations for the Band and Orchestra/Educational division. Nick has over 25 years of experience as a consultant to companies in the music products industry and has designed 14 percussion implements, accessories, and instruments.
Committed to music education, Nick launched nickpetrellapercussion.com for online lessons and presentations, and published numerous articles in US and European music journals. He authored two Carl Fischer publications: The Ultimate Guide to Cymbals and The Multiple-Percussion Book. In 2006, Nick and Diane published The Musician’s Toolbox, Thoughts on Teaching and Learning Music, now available as an e-book.
Nick received a DMA from the University of Iowa, an MM from the University of Michigan and a BSMusEd from Penn State University.