Steps to follow:

1. If your computer's built in microphone is not very good, consider using an external microphone. This could be on a headset, a usb microphone or a regular vocal microphone that connects to your computer using other hardware.
 

2. If at all  possible, use a desktop or laptop computer for lessons. This allows you to use all Zoom features. Chrome books, ipads and phones work with Zoom but you will not have access to all Zoom features. If you plan to use a Chrome book, ipad or phone for lessons, please let me know and I will modify our lessons accordingly.
 

3. If possible, connect to the internet using an Ethernet cable. If this is not an option, plan to reboot your router prior to your lesson and plan to have your lesson as close to your router as possible.
 

4. Try not to run any unnecessary applications on your computer during lessons. If you have limited bandwidth, I recommend that you download any audio files to your computer prior to lessons so you will not use bandwidth to stream the music from online. If you need help figuring this out, let me know.
 

5.Open your Zoom client and access settings (the gear up in the top right corner).
 

a. Select the Audio tab.
 

b. Select the correct speaker and microphone from your list of options.If you don't see them, make sure they are plugged in. You can test your speaker and microphone here to be sure they are working. If you are using an interface with your microphone, you'll need adjust the levels from your interface. If you are using a USB mic, you can adjust the settings on Zoom.
 

c. Unselect "Automatically adjust microphone volume". You do NOT want this turned on.

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d. Select "Show in-meeting option to "Enable Original Sound" from microphone. This turns off audio enhancements that will prevent sounds other than your voice (such as your accompaniment track or accompanying instrument) from being heard.
 

e. Disable options to suppress background noise (persistent and intermittent). If you cannot suppress fully, set to low.
 

f. Your settings are now correct. Close the settings and these will be your settings for all future meetings. You should not need to adjust them again.
 

g. When you open our Zoom classroom for your lesson, be sure to join with computer audio. If the top left side of your classroom says "Turn off original sound", your settings are correct and you are ready to begin your lesson. If it says "Turn on original sound", you need to turn on original sound prior to starting your lesson.

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If a student is young, they will need an adult to assist them through the lesson. I will provide prerecorded accompaniments or links to accompaniments. In order for me to hear a student well (without lag or mic issues) the student (or assisting parent) will play those recordings and the student will sing along. This allows me to hear the student's timing and pitch accurately. You can play the recording from your computer or from an external audio device such as a stereo or a phone.

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