How To Teach Online Lessons (For All Music Teachers)

Here's a quickie version of what I said in the video:

*What You Need:*
Webcam - Desktop or laptop are better, but a smartphone works.
Video call - Use Skype or Zoom (or FaceTime on Mac)
Internet connection - Aim for 5Mbps UP.
Audio - Simpler is better, if you can run everything into one mic, do it!

*How Teaching Online is Different:*
Latency: Because there's a slight delay on video calls, you CAN'T play along with your students. By the time they hear you, there's a delay (called "latency"), and then it gets doubled on its way back when you're hearing them.

Rhythm: Time expands and compresses on a call so you can't judge student rhythm very well. Using a metronome on THEIR end helps, but if rhythm/groove is an important part of your lesson flow, consider having the student record themselves in advance.

Noise filtering: The way sound is processed on video calls will make it hard to judge student tone, so that's another thing you're better off having them record in advance (or during the lesson). It also makes a mess out of low bass notes. :(

*Money:*
Getting paid through Venmo and Paypal both work, just make sure the student uses the "friends and family" option on Paypal to avoid fees being taken out (no such issues on Venmo).

And writing a quick template email with all the info a new student would need from you will save you some time.

I hope this helps you, please share with a music teacher who might need it! Be well. ❤️

[pampurrs]

Nobody can duplicate your great and humorous approach to teaching, Josh. The Beginner to Bad Ass course was awesome, and has transformed me into a Bad Ass Bass Gal.

[BuildingCenter]

This is my bass teacher.



Welcome back.

[fabriziopreti]

I agree, especially when you say:"people still need music". Thank you for what you are doing and for the content that you post.

[matiasblasi_music]

This is just great, i already do it this way, but i love it's being spread by a great teacher.

I'm a piano teacher, and i just put the camera a bit far away from me, my student (i only have one of them online) can see my front and the keyboard. And when i want to show some hand position i grab the phone and show it manually.
When it's about rythmic i just play, it worked me well for now.

And about the sound i use headphones on the cellphone, to hear his playing really clear, and he does the same, the phone mic picks up pretty well.

I've started learning bass by my own last year, and found your channel really useful. Specially the slap lessons, it's extremely didactic.
Great work!

[samuelg]

Yeah, Josh is one of my bass teachers. I learned a TON through his Beginner to Badass course. I can’t wait for his follow-on course to that one (hint...hint, Josh).

[judih.]

Hi Josh. I'm not a teacher but I found this video to be very informative, as usual with your presentations. Thank you and take care. Cheers!

[rickrobie]

Awesome! Josh you are the man for doing this. Great job!

[dianewilson]

Thanks for helpful tips for us who don't know what we're doing!

[BigsDeluxe]

I think he's just testing to see if we're all still here..

[andreminetto]

Josh, there is an option in zoom to remove the background noise filter. Preferences->Audio->Advanced

[donogilvie]

Thanks so much for this video, Josh! Spent the past 2 days going through videos and yours is the best common sense 'how-to' for setting up for online teaching. Couldn't find anyone else addressing the latency issue. I know now that latency is unavoidable. But was wondering if you know of a solution for delaying the audio so that at least the audio and video get to the student's computer synchronized (and vice versa).

[Remianen]

Josh, seriously, where is the BassBuzz merch? .🤔

[richclarkmusiciitutorialsa]

Thanks for your video. I've been experiencing horrible lag, freeze-frame, 'catch-up' frame and blackout with my students using Zoom.

1st and most important question to you, please (so I'm not expecting the impossible with internet teaching): is there ALWAYS some lag (esp audio) between participants on these platforms? (Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc.); [I teach drums and want to "play along" with my students]

If not, what can I do on my end. My internet speed is 44.2Mbps download/9.86Mbps upload. Is that good? bad? A factor? Waiting to hear your reply. Thx

[GeriSzabadosMusic]

Thanks man for the video! Its very helpful 👌

[jenniferobrien]

Hey, Josh, thank you! What bass rack do you have in the background?
Thanks for all of the good vibes and tips as we’re all housebound....stay healthy and all the best

[guillaumejs]

I am not a teacher, but I think this video was necessary

[howdyyuvraj]

That paypal fnf feature is new... Got to chk that .. thanks

[pogohershey]

Hi my name Bella sing 🎤 I hold my heart ♥️

[Yosser]

Hey Josh. On similar line to this, my lad and his band mates are all on lockdown because of the virus but want to rehearse. Do you know of anyway of doing this online? Loving you bass lessons buy the way, I’m up to module 6 at the moment :)

[howdyyuvraj]

8:30, you mean time dilation, that Einstein had explained, 😜