GUIDE TO
Remote/Distance Learning Music
for Students/Teachers
As the world has learned how to cope with the new situations brought about by the Covid-19 crisis, remote and distance learning has become the new normal for many people. For both students and educators, resources and ideas that support flexible learning and teaching are essential.
Luckily, technology and online resources give you the freedom to use tools that enable learning and teaching from anywhere, including music educators.
And whether your music learning experience is fully virtual, in-person, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of resources to help you in planning out your education journey.
This guide will discuss essential resources and tools that will set you up for ultimate success in your music learning and teaching—all you need is a screen and a good internet connection.
And whether your music learning experience is fully virtual, in-person, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of resources to help you in planning out your education journey.
Remote/Distance Learning: What Is It?
The act of learning via virtual portals or online classrooms is not a new method of education. But terms like remote and distance learning have definitely become more prevalent in the world of lockdowns and school closures, as more and more people have embraced a new normal and an altered form of education.
Before we dive in, the first issue to discuss is the contention on the definitions of remote and distance learning.
Some people stand firm that each term addresses a different act, but there has been no consensus on the matter.
Remote learning
People point to “remote learning” as occurring when the student and teacher, or another source of educational information, are separated by time and distance that does not allow meeting in traditional classroom settings.
Distance learning
“Distance learning”, on the other hand, is a way of learning virtually without being in regular face-to-face contact with a teacher in a classroom.
Of course, these two definitions are incredibly similar, so for the purposes of this article, we will be using both terms freely.
Remote and distance learning, in their essences, refer to the act of learning without physical proximity to the teacher, education source, or classroom.
This definition is what you should keep in mind while reading this article.
Why Learn Remotely:
Virtual Schooling at Home
Over the past year, the need for distance learning has increased at a rapid pace. Suddenly, students, teachers, and parents alike were pushed to adopt a new way of schooling and education. But despite the initial discomfort and learning curve, the benefits of distance learning have made themselves clear.
The following are some advantages to learning remotely:
Productivity
Your time will be spent more productively when learning from home. Because any commute time is eradicated, your day will be fully committed to education and whatever homework you might have. The flexibility of remote learning also allows for students to continue with their personal, family, or work commitments outside of their courses.
Time Management
Because you learn, and to some extent even create, your own schedule, time management, self-discipline, and other associated skills are practically instilled. Maintaining a work-life balance and completing projects for deadlines are skills that will benefit the student for the rest of their life, even outside their educational years.
Less Stress
For some students, learning in their home environment might be less stressful. Although some extracurricular activities or team sports may be missed, the ability to learn in a comfortable, familiar space can ease tensions for students.
Control Over Learning
In contrast to traditional education where students are forced into rigid schedules and specific learning processes, distance learning allows students to engage with, analyze, and compute their course content in ways that work best for them, individually. The flexibility of learning remotely lets students implement personal strategies for achieving success.
Essential Remote Learning Equipment
While you need a computer or tablet and a suitable internet connection as the basics of remote learning, there are some other considerations you need to keep in mind for the best learning experience possible.
Here are some essential pieces of equipment that could enhance your remote distance education:
Tablets
Some students find it easier to take effective notes on tablets with specialized styluses, which can connect to a cloud server and sync automatically to other devices.
Though these notetaking tablets can be expensive, the hassle of computerizing written notes is eliminated, and your information is automatically backed up and spread to your phone, laptop, or other devices. Check out the best tablets for note-taking in 2021 for more information.
Webcams
While most laptops come with built-in webcams, you can always upgrade to one that sits atop your laptop screen and gives better picture quality. And because cameras and video streams are so essential to remote learning, giving yourself an edge when it comes to visuals is likely a good idea.
Good quality webcams often come with ring-lighting and zoom features and are particularly useful for learning that has unavoidable visual elements.
Microphones
Though some courses do not require your vocal interaction to be of good quality, if you are a student or teacher of music, you might need a microphone. Microphones can be a bit expensive, but once you invest in a good unit, it should last you for years.
And the excellent quality of professional microphones will guarantee that your instrumentals or vocals are as acoustically authentic for anyone listening as if they are in the same room as you.
Online Music Learning Essentials
A good portion of what makes music so enjoyable is sharing it with others: playing in ensembles, concert performances, choral worship, or just enjoying an impromptu gig with friends.
And with a large majority of daily activities and learning having to be put online and be completed virtually, the social aspect of music has suffered. But with the help of technology, students and teachers of music can still access a plethora of distance learning opportunities and tools for success.
Online lessons and rehearsals, practice aids, self-instruction, and remote guidance, and virtual practice plans are all essential to the new model of music education.
And with the many options for video platforms, including Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, and more, music education has become virtual.
Let’s look at some specific tools and online resources for remote music learning.
Online Tools for Music Education
MusicTheory.net
This portal teaches reading staff and note values via an interactive website. Students can test their knowledge of note identification, chord identification, staff and ledger lines, intervals, and inversion triads. For teachers, you can even create your own exercises by using the exercise customizer tool.
Noteflight
A web-based music notation software that covers the basics of composition while students can hear the results in real time. The platform offers a variety of instruments, up to an entire orchestra. Students can add notes and change their value, and even bring up a virtual keyboard for easy note reference. With an automatic connect button on each project, students can share their scores with teachers and classmates.
Soundtrap
For those who are learning about music production, this is an online, multi-track recording application. It offers a range of virtual instruments such as brass, guitar, keyboard, percussion, strings and woodwinds. The app can record through your computer’s microphone, and if an instrument is selected, the notes are immediately mapped to your laptop’s keyboard for real-time play and notation. The software’s mini editor allows you to change note velocity, delete portions, and quantize your recording, and the collaboration features let students compose together and download the final mp3 file.
5 Online Games to Help Learn Music
Virtual Museums with Galleries of Music and Musical Instruments
Online Performances:
Opera, Symphony, and Choir
After the series of lockdowns around the world, arts venues decided to take their music online. Now, you can find many performances to enjoy over the internet and in your own home.
Opera
Opera houses around the globe have moved their productions online, and you can trill along with all your favorite arias virtually. Check out this comprehensive list of all opera companies that offer free streaming services for more information on where you can find your local opera house online, or this national opera calendar for more.
Symphony
While it’s certainly not the same, you can still enjoy a showstopping concert virtually! Check this calendar of free classical concerts that you can listen to and watch online.
Choir
Concert choirs have had to rethink their seasons lately, but with pre-recorded performances to view online, choir programs are still available. In fact, something new to come out of the lockdowns are fully virtual choirs, and not only can you be in the audience, but you can also join one!
Remote/Distance Teaching and Learning for Music Classes
It can take some getting used to, but switching to virtual music classes can help you be more productive in the long run.
And to ensure your success, whether you are a student or a teacher, here is some information that will help you with virtual music education.
Tips for Your Virtual Music Lessons
Organize Your Space
A first step is to keep your physical and digital space tidy. Keep in mind what is visible over your webcam, including backgrounds, desk space, or even your pets. And when it comes to digital housekeeping, you will certainly find your experience enhanced when you keep your files and information sorted and stored for easy online access and keeping your computer desktop spick and span.
Organize Your Calendar
Though remote learning or teaching definitely offers you more flexibility in your days, it’s important to keep on top of your schedule. By ensuring that your calendar is organized and tells you exactly the commitments and courses you have daily, you will make your workday go much smoother and be more productive.
Virtual Lesson Platforms
Another important aspect to the best remote experience is your selection of lesson platform. While there are plenty of options, such as WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and more, it seems the most popular platforms are Zoom and Skype. Each has different benefits, and based on your lesson plan, priorities, and budget, you can decide which platform is best for your needs.
Internet Connection
It may go without saying, but always make sure to check your internet connection before a lesson. Connectivity issues can plague even the best internet setup, so ensuring that your connection is strong beforehand will save you and your students a lot of time. If you find that buffering times are an issue, you can always try disconnecting other devices from your internet connection, which should allow more broadband for your lesson.
Visibility
Due to the entirely virtual nature of such lessons, your face, hands, and instrument will need to be clearly visible in your webcam’s range. Ensuring that everyone can see you clearly will help catch any mistakes you might be making with your instrument, and is important to correcting these errors, developing your skills, and receiving effective feedback.
Lighting
Make sure that your setup is in a well-lit room, preferably with natural lighting sources. This is key to ensuring that your finger positioning is clearly visible on your instrument, so that your feedback and progress will be the most beneficial, maximizing your time and effort.
A Complete and Comprehensive List of Online Resources
The following are all the online and virtual resources that you will need when it comes to remote learning for music.
Arts Websites
Band and Band Teachers
Biographies, History, and Works of Great Composers
Choral/Vocal Teachers
Classroom Music Teachers
Classical Music Archives
Cleaning Instruments
Coding
Collections of Resources
College Faculty
Composer Diversity
Copyright—What You Need to Know When Teaching Remotely
Disabilities and Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During Covid-19
Facebook Groups Addressing Online Resources and Learning
Folk Music from Around the World
Jazz
Jazz Arranger and Composer COVID-19 Relief Commission Grant
Lesson Plans
Museum Virtual Tours
Music Education Resources
Music Research Resources
Music Lessons and Tips
NAMM & NAfME Webinar
Online Citizenship for Music Students
Online Tips and Tricks
Orchestra
Performers and Creators: Financial Resources
Professional Development
Rock and Roll
Social-Emotional Learning
Steel Drum
Struggling Students
Student Perspective
Suicide Prevention Hotline
Teacher Care
Technology
Ted Talks
Tutorials
Virtual Concerts
Various Miscellaneous Resources
Watch Party
Webinars
A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing by National Association of Teachers of Singing
Advocating for Music Education Utilizing Social-Emotional Learning (advocacy webinar) with Scott Edgar and Bob Morrison
Aerosol Study Round 3 Results Update
Remote/Distance Learning Music for Students/Teachers: In Conclusion
Making the switch to online learning might seem daunting at first but is actually quite simple. With the wide range of virtual platforms available to host your teaching or learning, your productivity and progress will be greatly enhanced, and with online tools and games readily accessible your musical education will be easy and enjoyable.
The resources and online tools shared in this guide will help students and teachers of music alike and should be a good starting point for anyone involved in the learning process.