Helpful products
Here are some helpful products for zoom dance classes. I list these as examples—there are many options available online. You can find all of these things on Amazon, and there are budget options out there if you do a little searching.
IF YOU HAVE A MAC, ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE PRODUCT IS MAC COMPATIBLE
Portable speaker <— CLICK
If your sound is too quiet, and you can’t connect to a television with hdmi (then you will use the audio from the tv), get a portable speaker! They’ve never been more affordable. I prefer the kind that can connect with an aux cable AND with Bluetooth (Bluetooth sometimes creates a slight delay between the image and the sound).
Tripod for tablet <— CLICK
This helps the dancer aim the camera in the right place without risk of the tablet falling over.
Ethernet cable <— CLICK
Connecting with an Ethernet cable (it plugs into your modem) can help with a bad connection. Wireless is generally less reliable than a wired connection. This has helped some folks who have to have multiple zooms happening at the same time.
Adapter for Ethernet Cable <— CLICK
If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, try an adapter. Please note that if you have a USB-C (it’s smaller than a regular USB port) you can get an adapter for the usb-c port.
HDMI Cable <— CLICK
If you want to connect your laptop to a TV screen (recommended when possible, it can be hard to see what the teacher is doing otherwise), you will probably need a HDMI cable.
If you don’t have a HDMI port, you can get an adapter. Search for “hdmi adapter” and, if you have a mac, make sure it’s Mac compatible. Also make sure that you have a port that will fit the adapter.
Microphones & Webcams
If your camera or your microphone are not doing well, (or you want to have an easier time setting the camera up in the best angle for the teacher), go onto Amazon and search for webcams and “plug and play” microphones. Plug and play microphones mean there is a usb connector, so you don’t need a sound card to use it (if the cord of the microphone looks like an aux cable, then you will need to buy an sound card).
Webcam <— CLICK
Example of web cam (if you have a Mac make sure it is Mac compatible)
Microphone <— CLICK
Example of microphone (again if you have a Mac make sure it is Mac compatible). It is helpful for tap students to have an external microphone.
IF YOU HAVE A MAC, ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THE PRODUCT IS MAC COMPATIBLE
Portable speaker <— CLICK
If your sound is too quiet, and you can’t connect to a television with hdmi (then you will use the audio from the tv), get a portable speaker! They’ve never been more affordable. I prefer the kind that can connect with an aux cable AND with Bluetooth (Bluetooth sometimes creates a slight delay between the image and the sound).
Tripod for tablet <— CLICK
This helps the dancer aim the camera in the right place without risk of the tablet falling over.
Ethernet cable <— CLICK
Connecting with an Ethernet cable (it plugs into your modem) can help with a bad connection. Wireless is generally less reliable than a wired connection. This has helped some folks who have to have multiple zooms happening at the same time.
Adapter for Ethernet Cable <— CLICK
If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, try an adapter. Please note that if you have a USB-C (it’s smaller than a regular USB port) you can get an adapter for the usb-c port.
HDMI Cable <— CLICK
If you want to connect your laptop to a TV screen (recommended when possible, it can be hard to see what the teacher is doing otherwise), you will probably need a HDMI cable.
If you don’t have a HDMI port, you can get an adapter. Search for “hdmi adapter” and, if you have a mac, make sure it’s Mac compatible. Also make sure that you have a port that will fit the adapter.
Microphones & Webcams
If your camera or your microphone are not doing well, (or you want to have an easier time setting the camera up in the best angle for the teacher), go onto Amazon and search for webcams and “plug and play” microphones. Plug and play microphones mean there is a usb connector, so you don’t need a sound card to use it (if the cord of the microphone looks like an aux cable, then you will need to buy an sound card).
Webcam <— CLICK
Example of web cam (if you have a Mac make sure it is Mac compatible)
Microphone <— CLICK
Example of microphone (again if you have a Mac make sure it is Mac compatible). It is helpful for tap students to have an external microphone.
MASONITE BOARD FOR TAP
Get a Masonite board for tapping. Here are options:
HOME DEPOT
LOWES
MENARDS
You can cut this to be smaller if it’s too big to store, but this is a nice size for tapping. I have worked with a 4x4 without issue.
PLACE AT YOGA MATS OR OTHER GRIPPY SURFACES UNDER THE BOARD SO THE BOARD DOES NOT SLIP AND CAUSE AN INJURY.
Store your board flat (or behind something to keep it in place, like between the back of the couch and the wall), or it will warp and get ruined.
HOME DEPOT
LOWES
MENARDS
You can cut this to be smaller if it’s too big to store, but this is a nice size for tapping. I have worked with a 4x4 without issue.
PLACE AT YOGA MATS OR OTHER GRIPPY SURFACES UNDER THE BOARD SO THE BOARD DOES NOT SLIP AND CAUSE AN INJURY.
Store your board flat (or behind something to keep it in place, like between the back of the couch and the wall), or it will warp and get ruined.
TAP SOUND SETTINGS
TAP STUDENTS: please adjust your zoom settings to match the video below.
You don't need a microphone, but pay attention to this information regarding audio settings.
For computers start |
start at 48 to 3:38 seconds for IPAD or IPHONE |
Teacher looks too small!
Pin video allows you to disable active speaker view and only view a specific speaker. You need it so you can see me on your screen nice and big, so it's easier to follow the class. Video walkthrough here
The video is choppy! HELP!
Question: Sometimes the audio or video in Zoom becomes choppy or distorted. What can I do to improve my Zoom experience?
Answer:
Make sure your devices are charged. If they are below 50 percent battery life, keep them plugged in!
Use the best Internet connection you can. In general:
Mute your microphone when you're not speaking. When your microphone is on, Zoom will devote part of your Internet connection to an audio stream for you, even if you are not speaking. Mute your microphone when you do not need it, and you will allow Zoom use your Internet connection more effectively.
Stop your webcam video if things are too choppy.
Disable HD webcam video. Sending high definition (HD) webcam video requires more bandwidth than sending non-HD. Disabling HD video will free up more of your Internet connection for other parts of your Zoom meeting.
See: Disabling HD video in Zoom
Close other, unneeded applications on your computer. Zoom meetings can demand significant memory and processing power from your computer. Closing other applications, ones you do not need during the session, will help Zoom run better.
Avoid other activities that will steal bandwidth.
THIS MEANS, IF YOUR VIDEO IS CHOPPY, THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD STOP USING THE INTERNET IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS DURING YOUR CLASS:
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME LAG. Also, you might not have access to better internet. That's okay, make do with what you have! But, if the issue can be resolved by the information mentioned above, then you will have a better experience in class.
Answer:
Make sure your devices are charged. If they are below 50 percent battery life, keep them plugged in!
Use the best Internet connection you can. In general:
- Wired connections (ETHERNET CABLES) are better than wireless (WiFi or cellular) connections.
- WiFi connections are better than cellular (3G/4G/LTE) connections.
Mute your microphone when you're not speaking. When your microphone is on, Zoom will devote part of your Internet connection to an audio stream for you, even if you are not speaking. Mute your microphone when you do not need it, and you will allow Zoom use your Internet connection more effectively.
Stop your webcam video if things are too choppy.
Disable HD webcam video. Sending high definition (HD) webcam video requires more bandwidth than sending non-HD. Disabling HD video will free up more of your Internet connection for other parts of your Zoom meeting.
See: Disabling HD video in Zoom
Close other, unneeded applications on your computer. Zoom meetings can demand significant memory and processing power from your computer. Closing other applications, ones you do not need during the session, will help Zoom run better.
Avoid other activities that will steal bandwidth.
THIS MEANS, IF YOUR VIDEO IS CHOPPY, THAT OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR HOUSE SHOULD STOP USING THE INTERNET IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS DURING YOUR CLASS:
- large downloads
- large uploads
- streaming video (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube)
- cloud backups (e.g. Carbonite, CrashPlan)
- cloud file synchronizations (e.g. OneDrive, Dropbox)
- other high-bandwidth activities
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME LAG. Also, you might not have access to better internet. That's okay, make do with what you have! But, if the issue can be resolved by the information mentioned above, then you will have a better experience in class.
SET UP YOUR SPACE
It is hard to create a good dance environment at home. I totally understand! There's a reason dance studios exist instead of us just teaching at home all the time.
These suggestions are not judgements--they are just things to think about. You ultimately have to weigh all the different factors and do what is best for you. I am doing all the things I can do on my end to make it a quality experience, and I know that at the end of the day, everyone is doing the best they can. Maybe this is overwhelming this week, but perhaps next week, it won't be.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVING YOUR DANCE SPACE
These suggestions are not judgements--they are just things to think about. You ultimately have to weigh all the different factors and do what is best for you. I am doing all the things I can do on my end to make it a quality experience, and I know that at the end of the day, everyone is doing the best they can. Maybe this is overwhelming this week, but perhaps next week, it won't be.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVING YOUR DANCE SPACE
- Keep siblings and pets in a different room, if possible (behind a door is ideal).
- Ask others to turn down their music, or use wireless headphones to block out distractions.
- Set up your space as well as you can: clear the space so you can safely dance.
- If you are taking modern/jazz, smooth surfaces are better than carpet, but you also need enough room and might need to prioritize having space/quiet over your floor surface.
- Figure out what shoes will work best: no shoes/socks/jazz shoes... it is all up to YOU! Do what works for you.
- Adhere to dress code as much as possible--you will dance better if you are dressed mostly for class.
- Try to keep light sources in FRONT of you, not behind (overhead lighting is great). Having lights behind you creates a silhouette and then I can't tell what's going on.
- Tilt your webcam/tablet/whatever so that I'm not looking up your nose and at the ceiling. :-) I've used many things for makeshifts tripods: trash cans, books, shoes, cat toys...the world is your oyster here.
- It's REALLY hard to take class on a phone. It's just such a tiny screen. Try to get access to a larger screen or CONNECT TO A TV.
