How To Teach Drum Lessons Online: A Practical Guide For Students & Teachers

Excerpt

During these times of social distancing, many drum teachers and students are turning to live, online drum lessons. For many, the experience is brand new, and the barrier to entry might seem a little daunting. But, it really isn’t as challenging to setup for a valuable experience as you might think, both technically and educationally. In fact, there are some unique advantages to teaching and learning online.

Focus on What’s Important

The first priority for teachers and students is education. It’s easy to lose sight of priorities while we’re scrambling to quickly setup for virtual lessons. Some learners and educators are focusing heavily on the technical aspect — trying to achieve a studio-quality audiovisual experience. However, that level of technical wizardry isn’t necessary and might actually cause the lesson experience to be cumbersome and less enjoyable (think hot studio lighting, cords, microphones, headsets, and the increased potential of glitches). If you’re a teacher, the number of hours you’ll spend in that environment could take a toll on you.

When my priorities need to be refocused, I like to think of it this way: If I watch a video lesson and learn something, I know that I’ve learned something. If I watch another video and learn nothing, no matter how great the production of the video was, I know I haven’t learned. I probably won’t be returning to that teacher. In other words, the most important thing to the learner is that she learns what she needs to learn, regardless of the production quality. As a teacher, focusing your energy on planning and delivering superb lesson experiences (educationally speaking) will have the biggest return for both your students and yourself.

Video Conferencing/Streaming Software

The two biggest players right now for drum teachers are Skype and Zoom. Both have free versions. Both Skype and Zoom allow for group conferencing, meaning that if you need to connect with more than one student at a time, you can. Zoom’s free version allows for up to 100 participants in a group meeting, and Skype allows for up to 50. However, the free version of Zoom has a 40 minute time limit on meetings with 3 or more participants.

Zoom also has a “virtual whiteboard” feature which could come in very handy for quickly writing out music notation for students. It’s like having a whiteboard, but it’s online.

Here’s an article by Forbes discussing Zoom features and recent user spike: What You Need to Know About Using Zoom.

Both Skype and Zoom will deliver a great video experience. There isn’t a wrong decision to make. I recommend trying out both to learn which software delivers the features and experience that best fits your teaching style. I also recommend ultimately choosing one software and requiring all students to use that software for your lessons. Switching back and forth can become a hassle and creates more opportunities for things to go wrong.

Download Skype

Download Zoom

Recommended Equipment For Teachers

Having taught online, virtual drum lessons for a number of years, I’ve learned that the simple approach is what has worked best. Below is a short list of recommended equipment for teachers.

• Computer or device to run the video streaming software (i.e. Skype, Zoom, etc.)
  The computer or device needs to be located in the same room or space as the drums, of course.
• TV screen, computer monitor or device that’s large enough to see your students clearly
  Keeping an eye on student posture, sticking, and all of the other subtleties is an important part of private drum instruction. A small cell phone or tablet screen makes it difficult to notice the small things.
• Standard HD webcam with a decent microphone
  The Logitech C920 Pro Webcam ($70 USD) is a good choice. Spending any more than $100 USD is probably more webcam than needed, but you don’t want to cheap out on one, either. If you’re thinking about using the webcam that’s built-in to your laptop, make sure your laptop’s built-in microphone provides clear audio from further distances. External webcams like the Logitech tend to have better quality microphones than laptops.
• Wireless mouse and keyboard
  The Logitech K400 Wireless Keyboard and Touchpad (mouse) combo ($25 USD) is a great choice if you’re comfortable using a Touchpad. Since your computer will likely be placed near the webcam, which will be further away from where you’re sitting behind the drums, a wireless mouse and keyboard comes in handy. You’ll be able to type messages, connect and disconnect from video calls, and write notes/emails to the students and parents from behind your kit.
• Soundbar or desktop speakers
  The low-end audio (i.e. bass) is important to hear. Connecting a soundbar or other better quality speakers to your device will provide a more authentic listening experience. I use a TaoTronics brand soundbar, which is not the best by soundbar standards, but it delivers a good punch at a good price ($45 – $80 USD, depending on the model you choose). I don’t recommend earbuds or headphones for teachers because of the length of time you’ll be wearing them. They begin to hurt after wearing them for extended periods of time.

Recommended Equipment For Students

The equipment required for students is a little different than for teachers. Students don’t need as much.

• Computer, tablet or other device to run the video streaming software (i.e. Skype, Zoom, etc.)
  The computer or device needs to be located in the same room or space as the drums, of course. Many of my online students have used a tablet or Ipad placed on a music stand. It works perfectly! And, it’s simple. If you go this route, that’s all the equipment you’ll need.
• Standard HD webcam with a decent microphone (unless you’re using a tablet or Ipad)
  If you are using a device without a built-in webcam, the Logitech C920 Pro Webcam ($70) is a good choice. If you’re thinking about using the webcam that’s built-in to your laptop, make sure your laptop’s built-in microphone provides clear audio from further distances. External webcams like the Logitech tend to have better quality microphones than laptops.
• Headphone or earbuds can be used by the student but aren’t necessary
  Remember that if you’re wearing headphones or earbuds, the sound of your drums will be muffled in your ears. Whether that’s a problem is up to your individual preferences.

Using an Electronic Drum Kit for Teaching and Learning Online

Whether you’re a teacher or a student using an electronic kit, I recommend getting a speaker for the kit. Many of my online students have used electronic kits with a speaker, and the results are great. Alesis, Roland, Ddrum and other brands make amplifiers that are specifically designed for electronic kits. You can search for “electronic drum kit speakers” to find an assortment of options. However, these speakers are expensive ($200 – $300 USD). If you have a stereo or other speakers available at home already, you may find that they work well for a lower-volume lesson situation.

The reason I recommend the speaker method is because it’s simple, and it works. It also greatly reduces the amount of hardware, software, cords, etc. that need to function together, which helps to avoid technical difficulties and lost lesson time. Finally, not being strapped down with cords, headsets and microphones makes for a much more relaxed, personal and hopefully stress-free experience.

Note: The methods illustrated below represent a sample of the options available for setting up your electronic drum set for online lessons. There are other methods which you might find work better for your situation.

Method 1: Using Speakers and a Webcam (Recommended)

Step-By-Step:

1. Plug your drum brain audio into a speaker.
2. Make sure your computer has speakers and that they’re plugged in.

Method 2: No Mixer – One or Two Speakers and a Vocal Microphone

If you’re unhappy with the sound when using a speaker and a standard webcam to capture audio, the option below is a method for running your drum audio and vocal audio straight into your computer while using speakers for your own personal listening. Some drum brains include a line-in, which you can plug a lapel microphone or headset microphone into. Then, you can run the combined audio through the brain to the computer/device. However, the sound from the person you’re in a lesson with won’t be coming through your headset/earbuds.

Method 2 requires an audio “line in” on your drum brain. If you don’t have one, you can use Method 3, which includes a mixer. Method 2 also requires two “audio outputs” on your drum brain (one to go to the computer, and the other to your personal speaker or earbuds). If your drum brain doesn’t have two audio outputs available, a “headphone splitter” ($5 – $10) can be used — or a similar adapter that changes one output into two.

Step-By-Step:

1. Plug your vocal microphone into the “line in” on your drum brain.
2. Run an audio line out from the drum brain to your computer’s “line in.”
3. Plug another drum brain audio out into your personal speaker or headphone.
4. Make sure your computer has speakers and that they’re plugged in.

Method 3: Mixer, Vocal Microphone and One or Two Speakers

This method incorporates a mixer to run audio directly into the computer while using speakers for listening. Mixers can be quite expensive, but there are mini mixers available online starting at $25 USD. Sometimes they’re referred to as “portable mixers.”

This solution requires two “audio outputs” on your drum brain (one to go to the mixer, and the other to your personal speaker). If your drum brain doesn’t have two audio outputs available, a “headphone splitter” ($5 – $10 USD) can be used — or a similar adapter that changes one output into two.

Step-By-Step:

1. Plug your vocal microphone into Mixer 1.
2. Plug one drum brain audio out into Mixer 1.
3. Plug another drum brain audio out into your personal speaker.
4. Run an audio out from Mixer 1 to the “line in” on your computer.
5. Plug in your computer speakers to the computer’s speaker jack.

Method 4: No Sound – Two Mixers, Vocal Microphone, and Earbuds

For some, due to noise restrictions, playing the electronic drums through a speaker isn’t an option. This method accomplishes feeding the drum audio and your voice to the computer while also being able to hear your own drums and the student in your earbuds. This setup also works for a miked-up acoustic drum set:

In the hardware solution above, a vocal microphone and audio from your drum brain feed into Mixer 1. Then, the computer receives audio from Mixer 1. A second mixer, Mixer 2 (the headphone mixer), also receives audio from Mixer 1. If your Mixer 1 does not have two audio outputs available, a “headphone splitter” ($5 – $10 USD) can be used — or a similar adapter that changes one output into two, depending on your jack. Mixer 2 will also receive audio from your computer so you can hear the person you’re in a lesson with. Earbuds/headphones then receive audio from Mixer 2.

Step-By-Step:

1. Plug your vocal microphone into Mixer 1.
2. Plug your drum brain audio into Mixer 1.
3. Run an audio out from Mixer 1 to the “line in” on your computer.
4. Run another audio out from Mixer 1 to Mixer 2.
5. Run a cord from your computer’s headphone or speaker jack into Mixer 2.
6. Plug your earbuds/headphones into the headphone jack on Mixer 2.You will hear your drum sound, the person you’re in a lesson with, and your own voice through your earbuds/headphone. As a side note, I find it helpful to hear my own voice in the earbuds. Otherwise, it’s kind of like plugging your ears and talking. If you’d rather not hear your own voice, skip #4 in the steps above. Then, change step #2 to “Plug your drum brain audio into Mixer 1 and another audio line into Mixer 2.”

Method 5: Using Software

If you’re tech savvy, you might be able to save time and money by using a software-based audio router that gets installed on your computer. I’m not able to recommend a software because I don’t have any personal experience using one. Whether it will be reliable or work as you hope, I don’t know. However, here are some links if you’re interested in beginning your research;

LoopBack Cable-Free Audio Routing for MAC

Reddit Post: Routing Audio From Applications Around Your PC

Steve Ley successfully setup his Roland V-Drum for online lessons using Loopback and shared this link and settings screenshot:

Using Loopback to add audio to voice chat (VoIP)

Camera Placement

If you have a right-handed drum setup, place your camera off to the left so that it looks at your left side when playing drums. Students will have a better view of your drum set and what you’re doing. The camera should not face the front of your drum set, even if you’d really like to show off your custom bass drum head logo.

Speaker Placement

If you’re using speakers for listening to your student or teacher, place the speakers facing you and not facing the webcam/microphone. If speakers used for listening to the other person are pointed at the webcam microphone, there can be “talk-back” where the other person hears their own voice in delay, which of course is very distracting. If you’re using a speaker connected to an electronic drum kit, that speaker can point toward the webcam.

Audio Settings

Go to the audio settings in Skype, Zoom, or whichever video software you’re using, and turn off “auto adjust microphone volume.” If this is left on, the louder sound of your drums will cause the auto feature to lower the level of the microphone. Then, when you speak, the microphone level will be too low for you to be heard. It takes a few seconds for it to auto-adjust the level. By manually setting the microphone level, you can make sure it stays at a level that supports both the sound of your drums and your voice.

Tips For Teaching Online Drum Lessons

• Plan to spend extra time during the first online lesson helping the student configure the software, audio and place the camera.
• If you have a number of students scheduled closely together, consider making it a policy that you (the teacher) initiate all video calls. Otherwise, your video may be ringing while attempting to conclude the prior lesson.
• When listening to and talking with the student, turn to face the camera. Only face your drums when you are demonstrating.
• Looking directly at the camera when talking (instead of at your screen) provides a more personal, “eye contact” experience for the other person.
• Print out ahead of time (or have available) the sheet music and other materials you’ll need for the lesson/s.
• Email a follow-up to the student, summarizing the practice assignments, as well as a list of materials the student should have available during their next lesson. This email can be written during and throughout the lesson and then sent at the end of the session.
• Don’t use your floor tom as a table to hold your cup of coffee. Something bad might happen (I have personal experience with that.).

How Do Teacher’s Get Paid?

Paypal is a simple solution. If you have a Paypal account, you can create electronic invoices that are sent by email. Students/parents can pay with their credit or debit card even if they don’t have and don’t want to create a Paypal account. If you’re not able to use Paypal, many business bank accounts offer electronic invoicing. Check with your bank. If you’re looking for a free and easy to use business bank account, I recommend the online bank, Azlo (for US Teachers). Other payment options include Google Pay, Apple Pay, Venmo and more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual, Online Drum Lessons

Advantages:

• You get to see your student’s personal drum setup and can help them to make adjustments, if needed.
• Both you and the students’ parents save time and money by not having to travel.
• Skype and Zoom software allow for creating a video recording of the lesson or short samples of your demonstrations.
• Teachers and students can connect from around the globe. Proximity is no longer an issue.

Disadvantages:

• You will no longer be able to play drums along with your student. Currently, video conferencing software has a slight delay, meaning that what your student hears and sees doesn’t come in exact realtime. So, if you like to do exercises such as “trading fills” or simple playalongs, you will no longer be able to do that.
• Adjusting posture, stick grip and other physical issues will be more difficult. These types of adjustments will need to be made using verbal and visual directions.
• Sharing resources, such as a drum book or sheet music won’t be possible. Both the teacher and student will have to have their own copy.
• Handwriting notes directly on a student’s method book or sheet music will no longer be possible.

Online Resources for Drum Teachers

• Learning to play songs with our downloadable/printable drum sheet music is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world, practical skills. View our Full Drum Sheet Music Catalog.
• Check out our downloadable/printable drum ebooks, which provide step-by-step approaches for developing coordination around specific skills.
• We have hundreds of free video drum lessons on many topics and skills levels. Most videos have accompanying downloadable/printable PDF lesson notation. These will make for great supplemental material for online drum lessons. View our Free Drum Lessons
• You can also explore our free, printable drum beat and drum fill exercises.

Do You Need More Help?

For a period of time, I will be scheduling one-off, 30 minute Skype meetings to help drum teachers setup and test their equipment. If you’re interested, send an email to lessons@onlinedrummer.com . The cost is $39 USD.