Come Zoom With Me!
What You Need For Online Singing Lessons
To get the most out of your online voice lesson, here are some suggestions of what you’ll want to have handy. The first two are a must. The rest are optional.
High-Speed Internet, or Great Cell Reception
Without high speed internet, or good reception online voice lesson will continually freeze as you’re trying to get through a song. It’s even worse when you can’t connect, or when your call continually gets dropped. Do a test call with someone before the lesson to make sure you’ve got adequate reception.
A Video Calling Platform
I recommend downloading Zoom, because it has full-duplex audio, which means that both you and your teacher can be talking at the same time without the sound cutting out. It has a number of great features, like screen and file sharing, meeting scheduling, and video recording. I also use FaceTime!
A Music Playing Device Separate From the Device the Call is On
Because of lag issues, your voice teacher can’t accompany you on an instrument during an online singing lesson. If you plan to sing a cappella (that is, without accompaniment), then you won’t need this one, but if you want to sing with a karaoke track, it’s a good idea to have a music playing device. Any smartphone will work well, because you can find countless karaoke tracks on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify. It’s best if the music playing device isn’t the one you’re making the call from, because otherwise you’ll end up with some sound issues.
A Speaker
If you’re singing to a karaoke track, it’s even better if you have a speaker that goes with your music playing device. If your voice is loud enough, you might drown out your smartphone speaker and not be able to hear it that well.
An Accompaniment Instrument
If you plan to accompany during your lesson, or even if you just want to check for a pitch, it’s nice to have an instrument in front of you. This one is totally optional though.
A Quiet, Well-lit Room
The quiet room isn’t mandatory. It’s just probably going to be a more enjoyable lesson for you if you don't have distractions. Also, position the camera and yourself so that light from a lamp or window is shining on your face, and not behind you. It's easier to give singing and technical advice when I can see what you are doing.
Lyrics or Sheet Music to Your Song
I tend to use my iPad for this, but a smartphone or computer and printer works great too. If you subscribe to Scribd, you’ll have lots of sheet music at your fingertips, or if simple old lyrics are more your thing, sites like AZ Lyrics work just great.
A Music Stand
Totally optional, because you can just hold your lyrics or sheet music, but a music stand will give you a little more freedom and allow you to sit or stand freely and with good posture.
Fee
Lessons are $25 per 30 min and accept payment through Venmo, Paypal or Zelle
To get the most out of your online voice lesson, here are some suggestions of what you’ll want to have handy. The first two are a must. The rest are optional.
High-Speed Internet, or Great Cell Reception
Without high speed internet, or good reception online voice lesson will continually freeze as you’re trying to get through a song. It’s even worse when you can’t connect, or when your call continually gets dropped. Do a test call with someone before the lesson to make sure you’ve got adequate reception.
A Video Calling Platform
I recommend downloading Zoom, because it has full-duplex audio, which means that both you and your teacher can be talking at the same time without the sound cutting out. It has a number of great features, like screen and file sharing, meeting scheduling, and video recording. I also use FaceTime!
A Music Playing Device Separate From the Device the Call is On
Because of lag issues, your voice teacher can’t accompany you on an instrument during an online singing lesson. If you plan to sing a cappella (that is, without accompaniment), then you won’t need this one, but if you want to sing with a karaoke track, it’s a good idea to have a music playing device. Any smartphone will work well, because you can find countless karaoke tracks on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify. It’s best if the music playing device isn’t the one you’re making the call from, because otherwise you’ll end up with some sound issues.
A Speaker
If you’re singing to a karaoke track, it’s even better if you have a speaker that goes with your music playing device. If your voice is loud enough, you might drown out your smartphone speaker and not be able to hear it that well.
An Accompaniment Instrument
If you plan to accompany during your lesson, or even if you just want to check for a pitch, it’s nice to have an instrument in front of you. This one is totally optional though.
A Quiet, Well-lit Room
The quiet room isn’t mandatory. It’s just probably going to be a more enjoyable lesson for you if you don't have distractions. Also, position the camera and yourself so that light from a lamp or window is shining on your face, and not behind you. It's easier to give singing and technical advice when I can see what you are doing.
Lyrics or Sheet Music to Your Song
I tend to use my iPad for this, but a smartphone or computer and printer works great too. If you subscribe to Scribd, you’ll have lots of sheet music at your fingertips, or if simple old lyrics are more your thing, sites like AZ Lyrics work just great.
A Music Stand
Totally optional, because you can just hold your lyrics or sheet music, but a music stand will give you a little more freedom and allow you to sit or stand freely and with good posture.
Fee
Lessons are $25 per 30 min and accept payment through Venmo, Paypal or Zelle
STUDIO
Margaret has been teaching music lessons for over 20 years and currently teaches out of her home in Batavia, Illinois. She has students come from DeKalb, Sycamore, Elburn, and Maple Park and Batavia
Her teaching philosophy is simple and stems from growing up with two parents who loved music and were music teachers and a wonderful husband who teaches K-5 music; it is never too young to start learning music! If a child shows interest in singing, then they are capable of starting voice lessons. It is better for a student to learn correct vocal formation from the start rather than creating bad habits that may be difficult to break later on. Margaret generally starts students as young as 2nd grade (but all ages and adults are welcome) and will do exercises to develop the ear (hearing and singing correct pitches), rhythm, breathing, sight reading using solfeggio, in addition to learning age appropriate songs to encourage easy vocal production and keep the voice flowing!
Margaret also offers beginning piano lessons age Kindergarten and up using the Faber and Faber method books. For piano lessons, students must be able to practice on a piano or electric piano at home.
Until further notice, all lessons will be given online.
FAQ for in person lessons
What should I bring to lessons?
For your first voice lessons, please bring a 3 ring binder to put copies of music and exercises that will be given to you along with a pencil and paper to write any additional notes. You may also bring any song you might have been working on, to give me an idea of what you like to sing and your voice. Margaret also recommends some sort of recording device; to record anything that needs to be worked on and for students to listen back to and hear things they may not have caught in the lesson. For piano, please bring your piano books and a pencil. Practice notes will be written on the page of the assignment.
What about time and payment?
Students come for lessons once a week. You may choose a 30 or 60 minute lesson depending on the student’s age and ability; Margaret can help give a recommendation for a specific length. Lessons are $40/hour for piano and $50/hour for voice respectively, and may be paid by check (Margaret Fox) or cash. You may either choose to pay at each lesson, or at the end of the month. Margaret will keep track of the number of lessons received each month.
How long should my student be practicing each week?
This is a very open ended question and also depends very much on each student. There are also many different kinds of practicing; practicing warm-ups, thinking about breathing, memorizing etc. In general, at least 20 minutes a day should be devoted to music to keep ideas fresh and current, and build muscle memory. Please ask for more advice on this in person.
Do parents need to sit-in on lessons?
Parents are encouraged to watch the first couple of lessons, just to get an idea of what their child is learning and how to encourage them to practice at home. After that, it is up to the student and whatever makes them feel more comfortable. If they choose not to have the parents in the lesson, then maybe sitting in once every other month will be advisable.
What if I have to miss a lesson?
If you must cancel, please give 24-hour advanced notice. Last-minute conflicts may arise, so you are granted 3 “day of” cancellations a semester. After that, 50% of the payment be remitted in attempts to keep Margaret's schedule on track. With 24-hour advanced notice, lessons can be rescheduled. If school activities are cancelled due to inclimate weather, lessons will also be rescheduled.
Margaret was the 2013-2014 Kaneland Artist in Residence
If you are interested in voice lessons or beginning piano lessons,
please email info@margaret-fox.com or call 309-212-2945
Margaret has been teaching music lessons for over 20 years and currently teaches out of her home in Batavia, Illinois. She has students come from DeKalb, Sycamore, Elburn, and Maple Park and Batavia
Her teaching philosophy is simple and stems from growing up with two parents who loved music and were music teachers and a wonderful husband who teaches K-5 music; it is never too young to start learning music! If a child shows interest in singing, then they are capable of starting voice lessons. It is better for a student to learn correct vocal formation from the start rather than creating bad habits that may be difficult to break later on. Margaret generally starts students as young as 2nd grade (but all ages and adults are welcome) and will do exercises to develop the ear (hearing and singing correct pitches), rhythm, breathing, sight reading using solfeggio, in addition to learning age appropriate songs to encourage easy vocal production and keep the voice flowing!
Margaret also offers beginning piano lessons age Kindergarten and up using the Faber and Faber method books. For piano lessons, students must be able to practice on a piano or electric piano at home.
Until further notice, all lessons will be given online.
FAQ for in person lessons
What should I bring to lessons?
For your first voice lessons, please bring a 3 ring binder to put copies of music and exercises that will be given to you along with a pencil and paper to write any additional notes. You may also bring any song you might have been working on, to give me an idea of what you like to sing and your voice. Margaret also recommends some sort of recording device; to record anything that needs to be worked on and for students to listen back to and hear things they may not have caught in the lesson. For piano, please bring your piano books and a pencil. Practice notes will be written on the page of the assignment.
What about time and payment?
Students come for lessons once a week. You may choose a 30 or 60 minute lesson depending on the student’s age and ability; Margaret can help give a recommendation for a specific length. Lessons are $40/hour for piano and $50/hour for voice respectively, and may be paid by check (Margaret Fox) or cash. You may either choose to pay at each lesson, or at the end of the month. Margaret will keep track of the number of lessons received each month.
How long should my student be practicing each week?
This is a very open ended question and also depends very much on each student. There are also many different kinds of practicing; practicing warm-ups, thinking about breathing, memorizing etc. In general, at least 20 minutes a day should be devoted to music to keep ideas fresh and current, and build muscle memory. Please ask for more advice on this in person.
Do parents need to sit-in on lessons?
Parents are encouraged to watch the first couple of lessons, just to get an idea of what their child is learning and how to encourage them to practice at home. After that, it is up to the student and whatever makes them feel more comfortable. If they choose not to have the parents in the lesson, then maybe sitting in once every other month will be advisable.
What if I have to miss a lesson?
If you must cancel, please give 24-hour advanced notice. Last-minute conflicts may arise, so you are granted 3 “day of” cancellations a semester. After that, 50% of the payment be remitted in attempts to keep Margaret's schedule on track. With 24-hour advanced notice, lessons can be rescheduled. If school activities are cancelled due to inclimate weather, lessons will also be rescheduled.
Margaret was the 2013-2014 Kaneland Artist in Residence
If you are interested in voice lessons or beginning piano lessons,
please email info@margaret-fox.com or call 309-212-2945