GET SET UP
INSTRUMENT
You can’t make good music without a good instrument!
Ensure you have an instrument in good working order before your first lesson. If you haven’t got your own instrument yet, or it’s in need of a makeover, Victoria can help!
Victoria can provide you with a comprehensive list of her favourite partners for rentals, purchases & repairs, for all her students.
She can also advise you on sizes for the younger player, what strings and accessories you’ll need, and that all important maintenance info to keep your instrument in perfect working order.
Just ask, and she’ll be happy to help!
MUSIC STAND
It sounds obvious, but make sure you get yourself a decent music stand.
Foldable ones start from £6 -10.
With a foldable stand, make sure the long arms are pointing to 12 o clock and the short arms to 6 o clock!
That way you won’t get it tangled up when you try to open it out!
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
“I recommends lessons should be conducted on a desktop, laptop or iPad. A phone really is too small!
A good webcam is worth the investment too, it really does make all the difference.
I use Zoom for online lessons. It’s definitely the best quality for sound and video. And it’s generally pretty reliable.
Some people recommend headphones. But wearing headphones can really affect your intonation!
So I recommends using a good bluetooth speaker instead. That way your ears are free to focus properly on both your playing and what I’m saying.”
BROADBAND
“For online lessons, please make sure you have a good broadband connection.
I recommend making sure you position your computer as close as possible, to your router, for the best connection.
Or even better, connecting via an Ethernet cable for a better quality experience.
I use Zoom for my online lessons, so please make sure you have signed up to an account, before your first online lessons.
When using Zoom, make sure you switch on Original Sound For Musicians. This ensures any background noise when you are playing is suppressed, so I can always hear the sound of your cello. Which is the most important thing!”
POSITION
“You should sit on the front of an armless chair (eg. a dining chair) or stool. And your hips should be just above your knees.
When learning online, position yourself so I can see both your right arm (bow) and left arm, as you play.
Make sure you’re visible in the middle of your screen.
If you position your computer in front of you and slightly from above, I can get a good view of both your hands.
I uses 2 cameras, one to focus on each hand! It also gives me lots of choice for different viewing angles. So if I can, you could too! I’ll be happy to advise you on how to set this up.
Practice setting up your position before your lessons, then we can make best use of our time together!
Try not to have light/window behind you, as I won’t be able to see you!”