Virtual Voice Lessons: A Practical Guide

Virtual lessons are a great option for many singers, allowing greater scheduling flexibility and an almost unlimited choice of teachers to study with. Whether you are a weekly virtual student Zooming in to your lesson from another continent or a weekly in-person student who goes virtual when you can’t find a babysitter, there are a few simple steps to help set you up for online lesson success.

Use a Computer

If at all possible, use a computer for your lesson instead of a tablet or phone. Audio settings can usually be adjusted much more easily on computers, and the larger screen will also allow you to see your teacher better!

Have A Second Device Ready

You will want to have a second device available and ready to go for reading lyrics or for singing with a karaoke track. A phone or tablet works great for this. If you know exactly what song you’ll be working on, you can even have these queued up beforehand to maximize your lesson time.

Check Your Connection

It probably goes without saying, but you will want to make sure that your internet connection is robust! If your internet situation is anything like mine, certain rooms in your home have a stronger connection (most likely those closer to the modem). Be sure to set up in that room, or even connect directly to your modem if you can. Internet interruptions can waste a lot of time in a lesson, so why not take that worry out of the equation?

Prepare Your Space

Take time to set up your lesson space before the lesson time. Don’t wait until you log in to check your view, make sure you have chargers handy, have water and tissues at your grasp, and have as much privacy as possible. 

I like to use two music stands for my setup: one for my sheet music or iPad, and another for my laptop so that I can easily adjust the height and tilt. But different setups work for different people. Some of my virtual students have full, sound-proof music studios in their homes and are fortunate enough to always have their virtual lesson setup ready to go. Others make space in a closet or basement where they are able to remove the distraction of having young children at home or sensitive neighbors. Find the space that allows you to feel the most comfortable and focused, and have it ready to go well before your lesson time.

Dial in Your Sound

In order to make the most of your virtual lessons, you will want to be able to hear yourself and your teacher as well as you possibly can. It’s just as important that your teacher can hear you. If you’re using Zoom for your lesson, make sure your “Original Sound For Musicians” is clicked on. For optimal sound, you can even set up an external audio interface. I use a small Focusrite interface and my trusty old Sennheiser e935 vocal mic. However, you may feel freer without any mic in front of your face or headphones to be tethered to. AirPods work well as a compromise, as they have a built in microphone and allow you to move about freely. This is of course up to personal preference. And if you are in doubt as to how well your singing is being heard during your lesson, never hesitate to ask your teacher. They can also most likely help you adjust audio settings if you are uncertain as to how to do that.

Travel Away!

Now that you are set for your virtual lessons, you may study from a boat on the ocean or even a mountaintop and make wonderful progress in your vocal journey. Happy singing to you, wherever you are!