<![CDATA[Tailoring lesson recording options to meet a piano student’s needs]]>During Shelter in Place, where students and teachers are adjusting to virtual instruction challenges, the role of recording segments of lessons, or creating a supplementary video to review practicing goals, becomes pedagogically valuable. Mac users can use the Quick time New Screen Record option during a Face Time lesson in progress, capturing the teacher image while Audio/Video are automatically synchronized.

Older computer versions of Face Time and Skype can use Call Recorder for playback in LOCAL, REMOTE, and SPLIT SCREEN modes. Newer Macs can no longer download Call Recorder, though a few students have somehow located and downloaded an older version.

For years I relied on Call Recorder’s Local (Teacher view) and Split screen (Teacher/Pupil) when using my older model Imac 21. During a repair phase, however, I was sidelined with a Macbook Air 2019 that could not download Call Recorder.

Zoom has its own built-in RECORDING option that has an initial permission to record. Its auto screen format, shifting from teacher to student during a lesson in progress replaces the stationary split screen mode. Students can easily record lesson segments and retrieve them in file format.

For various PC record options and various platforms, check the Internet re: Call Recorder Lite and Screen Record Lite, etc.

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With my iMac back in the loop, I more often create supplementary videos following lessons, tailoring them to meet a pupil’s specific needs.

In this first sample, which is Quick Time generated, I explore aspects of tone production tied to relaxed breathing, bigger energy outflow, supple wrists etc. (It was a new adult student’s first exposure to the piano as a singing instrument, so it provided a valued reminder of this “new” approach.)

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More recently, I sent a student a main points summary of Burgmuller’s “The Clear Stream,” Op. 100, No. 7, fleshing out the B section phrasing in the bass, while circling around to blocking techniques for the opening section, followed by a rotational demonstration.

For another pupil, a few “Little Party,” Op. 100 tips helped her navigate practicing between lessons.

(This is a Logi capture application for Logitech webcam users that had a tad of sound/motion disparity, having been used before my iMac returned from repair)

A second supplementary vid re: “Little Party” highlights the second section that includes parallel thirds in legato.

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Teacher generated video supplements provide necessary privacy in transmission, though on occasion, making them Public for the greater piano loving community is a pedagogical perk that’s often appreciated.

I circulated this one to all my pupils.

A Contrary Motion E Major scale with stepwise practicing techniques

In summary, whether a student records segments of lessons, or the teacher takes the initiative to provide these with a tailor made focus, it’s a positive addition to the music learning environment.

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