Playing music "together" onlne
By Denise
@petatonicsca (7070)
Japan
April 22, 2020 12:48am CST
I have had to experiment a lot to see what works teaching music through Google Meets or Zoom. The main problem is the sound delay. I can play something on the piano and they are like half a beat behind me. So we have been trying something that works pretty well: everyone but me mutes their microphone, and I play and they play with me with their cameras on. They get the fun experience of playing with accompaniment, and I can actually see their fingers playing the right notes (or not). I can help the ones who get lost.
Today I tried it with Middle School Choir. I actually was able to do vocal warmups with them and teach them two new pieces! They seemed to enjoy it because up till now I have been giving them music history pages to read and listen to Youtube clips, and doing a music theory book.
The main problem is when some students' homes don't have good internet and it keeps cutting out on them. It is really frustrating to them.
Are you having meetings or other things online and how is it working for you?
6 people like this
6 responses
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
22 Apr 20
I can see that is a problem. I have a bit of trouble showing music on my screen too.
1 person likes this
@kokoks (466)
• Philippines
22 Apr 20
@petatonicsca you need to have a very good connection and good computer if you want a smooth class
@Butterfingers (66603)
• India
22 Apr 20
It can be difficult due to delay but we don't have any option at this time. Yes I sometimes try WhatsApp video call
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
22 Apr 20
Yes, and I think it will continue for a while. Japan just announced "no summer vacation for elementary, middle and high school" because they have been out of school from March 2 through May 5. They aren't doing online or even send-home-work schooling. Just nothing.
1 person likes this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
22 Apr 20
I use Skype on my phone for when my knit group gets together. The sound is good and the visual is pretty decent. The latency can get a bit aggravating at times but it doesn't happen very often. Also, when 2 or more people talk at the same time. one kind of cancels the other out. Overall, though, Skype has been very good to use because it means I will be seeing familiar faces at least once a week and that makes me feel better. 
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Apr 20
Vince watched a half- hour workshop about using Zoom and one of the questions was about the delay when trying to play music together. Unfortunately I didn't listen to the answer. I'm glad you're been able to have meaningful lessons.
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Apr 20
@petatonicsca That's good. Kids are so quick at picking up the technology.
@happylife1 (13403)
• Karachi, Pakistan
22 Apr 20
What abouf lock down there in your place
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
22 Apr 20
By law they can't force a lockdown but the government has been saying strongly, "Stay home, stay safe, stay in Tokyo" because they don't want people going back to their parents' in the rural areas to spread the disease. Usually Golden Week (Apr. 29-May 5) everyone goes back to their home town. Right now a lot of places have been cooperative to the idea of closing early because our first few problems came from crowded night clubs and bars. However, people are still riding crowded trains to work.
