New Approaches

Comparing & Contrasting FREE Platforms & Procedures For
Online Music Instruction
By Bradley Mariska, assisted by Scott Agster, Erin Holmes, and Heidi Stodola

Read below for general notes, including specific thoughts about the pros and cons of each free platform. Most importantly: use what works best for you and your students.  Find meaningful ways to connect, regardless of the platform!

General Notes Regarding Online Music Instruction

These reminders are actually more important than anything!  Regardless of which platform you use, everything is dependent upon your equipment and the quality of your internet connection.  Regardless of which website/app/platform you use, please ensure that you and your students follow these simple instructions:

  • Always close ALL other programs and apps. If you’re using a web-based service, your browser should be the only program open. If using an app like Zoom or Facetime, close EVERYTHING else. This is ESPECIALLY important on simpler machines like Chromebooks and iPad (They just don’t have the CPU power to handle video conferencing well).
  • Always use earbuds or headphones instead of a speaker, even if only meeting one-on-one. If you don’t have headphones, just use the built-in speaker. Adding a Bluetooth speaker adds even more to latency issues. We repeat: always use headphones! (Both teacher and student).
  • Use a WIRED external mic if at all possible (even a cheap one is way better than the built-in microphone; do NOT use a Bluetooth microphone - even more lag).
  • Never play directly into (or ‘at’) the microphone (“off-axis” setup is very important).  Distortion and clipping are already issues with video chat - don’t make it worse by playing “at” the mic.
  • For on-board mics, have students back up at least 3 feet from the computer or laptop and perform off-axis. This allows a little buffer from overwhelming the on-board mic.
  • Lag exists on ALL platforms. Do not try to have a “rehearsal” large groups of students performing at once. You can meet with a group of students (probably 5 or less) but only one person should be performing at a time, unless you try the technique described below.
    • Sectional idea to eliminate the “lag” problem: Mute ALL students. Director conducts with a metronome. Unmute students individually to hear and/or assess. Students will focus on THEIR sound and staying with the met or conductor. (Conductor could share “share” his/her screen so they can see the metronome) (choir directors also report successfully playing piano while students sing their part [muted] to get reps, and unmuting individual students to hear their sound).
  • If possible, reduce bandwidth usage on your network. For students at home, this can actually be quite easy. Turn off the gaming system, stop streaming Netflix, etc. You can free up a ton of bandwidth and improve your video call immensely!
    • TEACHERS: If at school, connect to a hardwired Ethernet connection rather than using WiFi.
Zoom
  • PRO: Awesome extra features (easy to record, whiteboard feature, advanced a/v settings, etc).
  • PRO: In most situations, audio was best when set to auto-adjust (dynamics are attenuated, however); the nice thing is that you have control over this either way.
  • PRO: Free *FOR NOW* but in the past, it has had a fee.
  • PRO: Integrations with devices (tablets) as second screens makes demonstrating music / content during meetings really easy.
  • HINT: You don't have to download Zoom software to join a meeting.  You can do so from any browser.
  • CON: Some districts disallow Zoom (data privacy concerns).
  • BOTTOM LINE: This was the best performing platform overall, in terms of quality of audio, least lag, and video clarity. It also offers the most features. RECOMMENDED!
Google Hangouts Meet
  • PRO: Closed captioning - VERY accurate and effective.
  • PRO: Really good layout for up to five, accommodates up to 100. (Multiple view options. We recommend that you set to “tiled” view, you can see the other four people very clearly and prominently).
    • You can have up to 100 in your meeting with the paid G-Suite.
    • You have to lay down ground rules and make everyone go on mute and "raise their hand" by messaging in the chat window. Don’t forget this!
  • PRO: Audio/Video not quite as good as Zoom, but not significantly worse.
  • PRO: Easy to screen record the session.
    • Note: The person who created/initiated the hangout is the only one who can do this.
    • Recommendation Save a recording of each meeting in your Google Drive.
  • HINT: Better video on computer vs phone.
    • Chromebooks have pretty bad sound, so the phone app might be better for some. Or an alternative laptop.
    • Having students join a Meet on a device that is logged into their school apps account is best.
  • CON: More lag than ZOOM (but better than Skype).
  • BOTTOM LINE: Overall, this is a definite option for a couple of reasons.
    • First, most educational institutions already have G-Suite (which makes it free, but also your district/school has accepted the user agreement).
    • This is important because Hangouts MEET is far superior to Google Duo and regular Google Hangouts in terms of the A/V quality as well as the features within the video chat itself.
    • Lastly, if you record every session, you have a record if a student is inappropriate.
Skype
  • PRO: Low notes sounded good.
  • PRO: Emojis!
  • PRO: Most people already have accounts.
  • PRO: There is now a web-based option, in addition to the app.
  • CON: Pretty significant lag issues. Below average.
  • CON: Distortion on high notes.
  • CON: Must have an account. The whole “logging in” thing was pretty awkward.
  • CON: On school devices for 1:1 districts, students might be blocked from using Skype.
  • BOTTOM LINE: Do not recommend. The benefits do not outweigh the negatives. It was just a hassle.
FreeConferenceCall.com
  • PRO: Web-based OR app-based.
  • PRO: Latency test: not bad for audio! Almost as good as ZOOM!
    • HOWEVER (CON) No support external audio devices (mics) available. So there might not be significant lag, but the audio quality is relatively poor.
  • PRO: You can literally have 100 people (or more!) on a “call.”
    • This might be a great option for a lecture, student/parent meeting, etc. If you need to gather a LARGE group of people together in a “live” setting, this should work nicely.
  • CON: Video quality not as good as other options.
  • CON: Pretty basic in terms of features. Nothing fancy.  Though this may be a PRO for some.
  • CON: We had some issues connecting. The process for joining the "call" is simple, but we got several error messages before getting everyone into the video chat.
  • BOTTOM LINE: Great for big meetings, pretty strong when it came to the "lag test," but video quality was poor.  Lacked the features of other apps/platforms.