Given the COVID related limitations on the number of youth in a room and limits on contacts with staff members, here are some thoughts on how to have an instructor in one room providing lessons to a group of youth in another room.
Overview
The easiest way to do this is by setting up a Zoom session between an instructor and the various youth participants. The general idea is that each participant joins the same Zoom session and the instructor can watch them play their music. The instructor can also offer one-on-one feedback by using Breakout Rooms. The following describes the process in greater detail.
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How to run a Zoom music session
The instructor invites each participant to join the same Zoom session. Each participant will need to have their own Zoom device to join the session, which could be any of the following:
Laptop
Desktop
Chromebook
iPad
Smart phone
NOTE: It would be great to be able to connect the instruments or the production equipment directly to the participant’s Zoom device, but unfortunately this capability does not currently exist for Zoom – so the Zoom device really just captures the video and audio of the participant using their instrument or production gear.
The instructor uses Zoom to see and hear every participant as they perform
The instructor runs a workshops without being physically present with the participants
All participants sign into the same Zoom meeting
Instructor provides participants with general instructions and expectations for the lesson
Participants can all be in the same room, or they can be isolated in different rooms
Using Zoom breakout rooms
With Zoom breakout rooms, each participant can be in their own breakout room to get individual instruction, and then be added back into the larger Zoom session for group instruction.
Participants could be assigned to different breakout rooms depending on things such as their:
Skill
Song choice
Instrument
Musical Equipment Recommendations
In order to get the best musical sound using the built in microphone of each Zoom device, we would suggest following these guidelines for the various Workshops your instructor might lead.
Voice Workshops
For basic Voice workshops you can use the built in microphone of the device your participant is using to connect to Zoom. This may not be of high quality, but is fine for this purpose.
Optional – Advanced setups could include an external microphone and audio interface
Piano Workshops
We recommend the participants play on a Digital piano with built-in speakers. The sound of the piano is picked up by the built in microphone of the device your participant is using to connect to Zoom.
We highly recommend using an iPad-based Portable Music Production Station – $1200/each. This will give each participant an iPad, midi-keyboard, microphone and controller – everything they need for making beats.
NOTE: Any featured products are based on the experience and opinions of Network members and Music & Youth. We do not receive any financial benefit from the vendors to promote their products. We just thought they were helpful and you might like ’em.
To download the full, Essential Musical “PPE” (ZIP File) – Click here:
Or… Download by individual links below:
Programs
Creative ways Music Impact Network Members are adapting Programs to keep their participants from getting “Zoomed Out”. Try these best practices for virtual or hybrid programming:
Participants create a simple Google Site using drag and drop templates to showcase who they are and their personal/musical achievements
Portable
Equipment
Social distancing is challenging for small facilities. “Expand your walls” and involve more participants by making music in the gym or even outside with these Portable Equipment solutions
Everything needed to make beats and record on the go.
Can be set up anywhere (e.g. outside, gyms, etc) – Easy to clean and sanitize – Equipment is 100% battery operated – Mounted/packaged in lightweight portable cases
Solutions to leverage your existing music equipment and make music anywhere
To download the full, Essential Musical “PPE” (ZIP File) – Click here:
Need more ideas?
The “Back to School Backpack” features program resources and ideas including Fun musical Icebreakers, New Student Orientation tools, Programs, Projects and Performance ideas, and cool gear you could buy. – Originally posted – Fall 2019
Stay@Home – Play@Home is a curated a list of programs and resources that will help your organization and participants transition to virtual programming – Originally posted – Spring 2020
Participants create short videos and contribute to virtual ensemble, songwriting, and open mic projects
The novelty of ZOOM is wearing off but many music programs still need virtual solutions to engage their participants. Flipgrid is a simple, free, and accessible video discussion experience for educators and their participants. Basically, an “Instagram” type of platform where participants can record and share short videos with their peers while ultimately you control who has access to the projects.
Music Staff email used to subscribe must be a .org or .edu email domain
Participants can use any email to join
Benefits of Flipgrid:
Many schools already use it – youth are familiar with it
Not public – Videos are only available to participants, staff and parents that you invite
It’s playful and fun (e.g. video effects)
No video/audio compression
Simple and accessible (easier than uploading to google drive, etc)
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How to…
Example #1 – Virtual Ensemble We’ve all seen the “grid” style virtual ensemble videos and while professional musicians might be able to pull this off with nothing but a key signature and click track, young beginners may need some additional support.
Create an audio “Conductor Track” (in a DAW) to help virtually conduct your participants with:
Correct Key
Tempo/Click track
Song Form verbal cues and count-ins
Performance instructions (e.g. “Don’t forget to smile”, etc)
Video cues (e.g. “turn off your video… now”)
Upload Conductor Track to Flipgrid and share topic link and instructions with your participants
Each participant then “Records a Response” using their cell phone
Video of themselves playing along with or singing along with the Conductor Track
Participant instructions (to sync audio and video):
Open Flipgrid App – Click “Record a Response”
Open the Conductor Track in Google Drive – press play
Count along with the 1 or 2 measures of the Conductor Track (e.g. “1, 2, 3, 4”) before starting to play or sing. Counting will help sync the audio/video from other participant’s videos
Switch back to Flipgrid to view yourself while recording
Tips for recording in Flipgrid
Use your cell phone and a set of earbuds that have a built in microphone
This will isolate the audio and video of each participant’s performance
Invite vocalists and instrumentalists to participating until you have a complete track
Provide participants with video feedback and have them re-record if necessary
Edit the performances together in iMovie, Final Cut or other video editing software
Build a sense of community among your participants – have them create a custom website portfolio to showcase their musical projects, accomplishments, and dreams!
Basically everyone has a Gmail account – Google Sites is an easy way for youth participants to highlight their individuality, personal brand, musical creativity and personal accomplishments. Participants customize a template and fill it with content that is all about them.
Click Image Above to See a Sample Participant Portfolio
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How to…
Benefits:
Build sense of community
Helps create a team environment when you can’t gather in person
Participants can visit each other’s pages, give feedback and advice
Or have participants present drafts on ZOOM screen share
Motivation and sense of accomplishment
Keeping participants motivated without an end goal is difficult (especially when they’re not attending in-person programming)
Uploading a final project to their website portfolio help participants stay on task
They’ll always have the website portfolio
Prepares participants for “real-world” situations like applying for jobs or college applications
Virtually showcase their creativity
Process:
Have participants Sign-in (or sign-up) to their Gmail account (personal or school)
Welcome your participants to your virtual music session by creating a fun foley icebreaker contest. For example, participants have to recreate a horse galloping using only household items. The participants with the most realistic sound wins!
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How to…
At the start of each Zoom session, challenge participants to create a foley sound effect
Give participants a prompt (see examples below)
Participants are given 3 minutes to find a household item that sounds like the prompt
One by one participants turn off their camera and perform their sound effect
At the end of the listening session, participants vote on whose foley sound best represents the prompt
Foley sound Examples:
Horse gallop = plastic cups
Fire = cellophane or potato chip bag
Heartbeats = thump on a plastic trash can
Sword Scrapes = metal spatula and cooking tray
Spooky Chains = a ring of keys
Whoosh or Karate chops = fly swatter, dowel rods or sticks, cable, or jump rope
You’ve heard of the “Masked Singer”… now try the “Masked” Producer!
Social distancing has limited the number of participants that can be served at any given time, which is especially challenging in the studio or smaller isolation booth spaces. So, how do you encourage music production collaborations when you can only have one youth participant in the studio at a time? Use these limitations to your advantage and encourage youth to make beats with an element of mystery.
In addition..
Projects can be done in either virtual, in-person or hybrid programming models. For Virtual programming – use a collaborative browser-based DAW like Soundtrap
NOTE: Disinfect production workstations and equipment between each use (if applicable)
Set up 3 (or more) Music Production stations in your music program space or multiple rooms
Can be as simple as an iPad and headphones or more complex production workstation
Can be adapted for time, done over multiple days or send files virtually – the key is keeping identity of each participant a secret until the end
Here is an hour-long Mystery Musical (production) Chairs session example:
15 minutes – Assign participants to start a new project (e.g. create a 4-8 bar loop)
15 minutes – Participants rotate to another workstation and must add or build off of what the previous participant has already created
15 minutes – Participants rotate again to another workstation (same as previous step)
15 minutes – Final tracks are played – youth reveal what they contributed to each track
Covert Chords– Multiple participants
Assign all participants to create a beat using the same Keys/synth/guitar/bass loop
Loops can be original, Splice, Garageband, etc.
Determine a timeframe for the project (e.g. 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, etc) depending on skill level
Participants work on their beats individually and come together for a final listening session
Compare and contrast how each participant interpreted the loop
Ghost Writing – Multiple participants
Decide on a theme for the song/project (e.g. Social Justice, Video Games, etc) – Be creative!
Play a stock beat or loop over speakers (or in Zoom)
Everyone writes 4-8 bars of lyrics based on the theme
One at a time, participants sing/rap/record their lyrics in the studio, but the previous participant’s performance is muted
Play the final mashed-up song for all participants at the end
Production Pen Pals – Two participants
Pair two producers or musical artists together but keep their identities a secret
Determine a production schedule of when each participant will come to the studio (or work virtually) on a track. Also set time limits on how long each participant can spend working on the project. For example:
Participant #1 – Monday and Wednesday 3-4pm
Participant #2 – Tuesday and Thursday 3-4pm
Participant #1 and #2 – Final listening session on Friday 3-4pm
The first participant starts a beat in the studio (or virtually) and each participant take turns adding/subtracting to the beat in isolation and saving any vocal productions for last
On the final day the duo is brought together (socially distanced) to reveal their identities and listen to the final production
Give producers a platform to share their projects with their peers – building self-confidence
We’ve all had to adapt our programs as we’ve transitioned to virtual programming – one challenge has been creating opportunities for participants to share what they’ve been working on while receiving feedback from their peers. Virtual Listening Parties are regular Zoom meetings in an “open mic” night format that give producers, songwriters and instrumentalists the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity. Hosted by the staff or youth, participants submit their songs or projects ahead of time to build a “set list” that keeps the party going. Attendees are encouraged to support their friends by dancing along, dropping a comment in chat or simply lending a supportive ear.
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How to…
Preparation
Pick and promote a date for your participants to showcase their work during a “Listening Party”
Collect youth tracks and projects ahead of time leading up to the Listening Party
Time Frame is up to you (e.g. weekly, monthly or every 2-3 weeks, etc)
Staff create a “set list” of original songs or projects (bounced files are cued up)
Invite EVERYONE (Send Zoom meeting information)
Invite performers AND participants not involved as audience members – Could help:
Increase motivation for participants to join next time
Inspire youth to sign up for production class or create a project of their own
Become a recruiting tool for other virtual music programs
Also invite Parents/supports (if appropriate)
Hosting the Listening Party
Decide on an emcee or host (e.g. Music Staff, Youth/teen participants, or combination of both)
Play the track
Give a brief introduction to each song/performer – then play the track (via screen share)
Audience should share encouraging comments in the chat
Provides real-time feedback
Boosts self-confidence of performers/presenters
Can help to facilitate a Q&A between performers and audience
Keep things moving quickly between acts
If there is extra time, let others share
Like an “open mic” night allow participants who were reluctant to sign up share as well
Promote your programs, schedule and opportunities
Share your virtual program schedule and opportunities
Share the date of your next Listening Party
Share contact information if participants have questions
Virtual is the new reality – here are 4 virtual program ideas to get you started!
Members of the music staff at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston describe their approach for virtual instrument lessons, music production sessions and virtual jam sessions on ZOOM as well as how their youth participants are “taking over” their social media accounts to host live concerts.
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Example #1 – Group Instrument Lessons on Zoom
“Participants are so grateful for the attention and interaction with instructors and their friends that they will “listen in” to other’s coaching sessions even though the instructors aren’t giving them 100% of their time. ” – Submitted by Daniel “DP” Pattianakotta, Yawkey Club of Roxbury Instagram: @yawkeymusic YouTube: Yawkey Music Clubhouse
Each Zoom call is a group lesson with 3-4 participants at a time
Participants are at various skill levels and working on their own individual songs
Lessons typically go for 1 hour and participants take turns muting/unmuting their mic when it’s their turn to play or sing (while other lesson attendees listen in)
Participants play a track or karaoke version of a song (over computer speakers, etc) and then sing or play their instrument along with the track
Instructors check in on each participants progress periodically through the session
Some have instruments/equipment while others have been innovative/creative (ie. using an iPad Keyboard app to play their favorite songs).
Example #2 – Virtual Music Production Sessions
“Before the shutdown, participants were working on their own original songs with a goal to create an album. I continue to reach out to these participants to encourage them to keep writing and collaborating.” –Submitted by Brooke Magidson, Yawkey Club of Roxbury Instagram: @yawkeymusic YouTube: Yawkey Music Clubhouse
Music Production sessions are individually scheduled
Staff share their computer screen on Zoom and create beats in Logic Pro X with the participants input
Before each session:
Send each participant a bounced reference track
Participants can prepare by writing lyrics and practicing their rapping/singing
During the Zoom session participants play the track in the background and rap/sing over top of the beat (using their iPhone headphone’s microphone)
Staff listen and coach participants on their lyrics, rhythm, phrasing and “flow”, etc.
