Contact

Please be in touch with me if you are interested. We can discuss the way you would like to proceed and find a mutually agreeable format. I am happy to offer a free introductory interview / lesson.

Email
barbara.thiem@colostate.edu

Zoom Setup

Preparing a lesson space in your house or office


Place the computer, camera, and microphone approximately 6 feet away from your chair.

  • Adjust the camera so it can see at least from your knees to the top of your head while you play cello.

  • Find a space with maximum light behind the computer and minimum light behind you. Avoid sitting in front of a window and keep the camera facing low enough that it cannot see other light sources.

  • Try to find a place nearby the wifi router for a safer internet connection.

  • If using a laptop, keep the computer plugged in for the duration of the lesson. Zoom can be a large power drain.

Zoom Settings

  • Use Zoom on a computer; most audio settings do not exist on the tablet and phone apps.

  • To access these settings: Click your initials in the upper right hand corner of the Zoom home screen, then click on "Settings" (third option from the bottom of the drop down menu).

Video

  • Turn on "HD"

  • Turn off "Mirror my video"

Audio

Turn off "Automatically adjust microphone volume"

  • Set "Input Volume" to approximately 2/3 or 3/4

  • Turn off "Zoom background noise removal"

  • Turn off "Personalized audio isolation"

  • Turn on "Original sound for musicians"

    • Turn on "High-fidelity music mode"

    • Turn off "Echo cancellation" (Only turn this off if you are using headphones. If no headphones or if there is an echo, then leave it on)

    • Turn off "Stereo audio"

  • Turn off "Live performance audio" (This setting can be useful for playing with students in a lesson, but is not perfect and creates unnecessary lag)

Backgrounds & Effects

Turn off any and all Virtual Backgrounds, Video Filters, and Avatars

In the Zoom meeting

  • After headphones are connected, turn on "Original Sound for Musicians" in the upper left corner. When on, it should read "Original Sound for Musicians: On." This setting will turn itself off when headphones are connected or disconnected from the computer.

  • In the upper right corner, click "View" and select "Speaker" from the drop down menu.

  • In the upper right corner, click "View," then select "Fullscreen" from the drop down menu to better see the other meeting members.

Problem Solving

  • If the image is fuzzy, try using a clean microfiber cloth to clean the camera, or reduce light behind the cellist.

  • If there is an echo, turn "Echo cancellation" back on in the Audio settings.

  • If there is a constant buzzing or other background noise, turn "Zoom background noise removal" back on in the Audio settings.

  • If the connection is bad and has a lot of lag, try moving to a space closer to the router or see if somebody else is also using the same internet. 

  • If the lag is unworkable, try turning the router off and on again (unplug then plug back in 10 seconds later). This usually takes approximately 5 minutes and will disconnect the user from the Zoom meeting. 

  • If one Zoom user cannot be heard, have them click "mute" in the bottom left corner of the meeting screen.

  • If a Zoom user has their name on a black background instead of their camera view, have them click "Start Video" in the bottom left corner of the meeting screen.