Top Tips For Teaching Guitar Online To Students

Here we look at what is required to teach guitar and run successful online guitar lessons. It has been overlooked for many years, but over the past year most musicians have turned to the internet for online gigs or tutoring. Here are several things to keep in mind when starting out teaching on the internet.

Internet connection

It goes without saying that in order to teach your students online, you’ll need to be able to connect to the internet from your teaching room. Where possible, it’s best to use a hardwired LAN cable instead of Wifi for an optimal connection.

Your computer

Whether you’re using a desktop, tablet or laptop, a computer is essential. A laptop with a built-in webcam will allow for easier placement to get a decent camera angle. If not, then you’ll need a webcam that is capable of decent video quality, and can connect to your computer from your teaching setup. Again, a hardwired connection is preferable to avoid dropouts, and a wireless camera will most likely become your bottleneck when streaming to your student. Position the computer so that your student can see you, as well as the instrument, and while you don’t need to be too fussy about lighting, try to make sure that hand placement and detailed parts of the instrument (strings, keys etc.) are visible, in focus and not over exposed/shadowed. A straightforward, clear picture of what you’re attempting to demonstrate is key.

Sound advice

If you’re teaching instruments that aren’t overly loud (piano, acoustic guitar) or have volume controls (digital pianos, electric guitar and bass) then you may find that your computer’s on-board audio hardware – while not sounding like a studio-quality delivery – will get the job done with minimum fuss. With some adjustment of your built-in microphone to avoid nasty clipping, you should be able to make sure that the sound within your room (including your voice) is being captured clearly.

However, if you’re teaching drums, you may find that the volume of your kit is simply too much for the computer’s microphone to comfortably play without distorting. Likewise, if your instrument doesn’t feature speakers, you’re going to need to find a way of getting both your voice and the output of your gear into the computer for your student to hear. That’s where an audio interface and microphone(s) will come in.

Interface

Chances are, if you’re already making a living from music then you already own an interface and possibly a microphone too. If not, you can pick up some affordable solutions, including USB microphones that eliminate the need for a separate interface. How far you go with this will really be down to the equipment you already own, or how much you want to invest.

Most interfaces are two-in/two-out, meaning that you can plug-in two sources with independent control over their levels. Look for an interface equipped with at least one mic pre-amp too.

The minimum setup will be a single microphone positioned so that it can clearly pick up the sound of your instrument in the room as well as your voice. If you need a line-level input from a digital piano/line-out of an amp, you’ll be able to get by perfectly well with just a mono connection, leaving your interface’s other input free for a microphone for speech. The next option is to use a dual-mic setup: one microphone for talking into, and at least one for capturing your instrument clearly.

Mic choice

Again, we’re talking about delivering lessons here, rather than making a conceptual opus. But there are some considerations that will improve your (and your students’) overall experience when it comes to choosing a microphone. A dynamic mic is less sensitive than a condenser, doesn’t require phantom power to work and are generally more affordable and robust. However, a condenser microphone will give you greater high-end detail when placed on harmonically-rich sources such as acoustic guitars, pianos, or a drum kit.

That said, as the old saying goes, the best mic for the job is the one you have. So don’t worry if you only have specific mics. As with picture quality, above all we’re aiming for a clean audio signal that will allow you to communicate your lesson clearly.

Headphones

Next you’ll need to be able to hear your student. We’d recommend using good quality studio headphones plugged into your audio interface, as monitoring the other person over speakers could cause the sound to bleed into your microphones, creating some endless feedback loops that sound great for lo-fi dub, but less useful for your weekly rudiment workout.

Closed-back headphones will keep the sound contained to your ears, or for a less visually intrusive method, in-ear monitors will also do the job brilliantly.

What App?

There’s no shortage of communication platforms available to use for free, but it’s important to make sure that you’re making things easy for your student too. Devoted Apple fans may well love FaceTime, but what if your student isn’t part of the orchard? Skype is the best-known and longest-running video call app, and as such isn’t going to intimidate potential technophobes when you ask them to download the software. Some apps, such as Zoom are cross-platform, and also allow for conference calls if you’re teaching in a group (bandwidth permitting). Some options offer recording functions, so you or your student can capture the lesson (with permission) to recap until your next lesson.

Prepare to adapt…

Your online lessons may not be quite the same as being sat in the room with your student, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be successful and fun. Send any teaching materials that they might need in advance of the lesson so that they have enough time to print them out or display them clearly while your lesson is taking place. If your students are minors, make sure that you have explained the premise of online lessons to their parents, and gained their permission first-hand. If needed, invite them to sit-in on the lesson to make sure that they are satisfied with the quality instruction their child is receiving.

Pass the test

It’s common sense that before you offer your services in exchange for money, you know for sure that your new web teaching rig is performing as it should. Get yourself set up, and test everything out before you enrol your first student. Try calling willing friends or family and see how the experience works in the real world. Is there a lag? Can they hear you talking and playing? Can you hear them in your headphones? Some basic checks now will avoid you having to postpone or abandon lessons later.