A practical guide to the screens, camera angles, audio settings, and equipment that make online music lessons clear and easy to follow.
A modern iPhone or Android phone provides excellent video quality when mounted securely. For most lessons, the computer’s built-in camera may be enough. Piano lessons work best with two devices: a computer or tablet in front of the student and a smartphone above or beside the keyboard.
Use the largest reliable screen available. For piano, add a smartphone above or beside the keys as a second camera.
Ethernet is ideal; strong Wi-Fi also works.
Wired headphones help prevent echo.
Keep every lesson device charging.
Use a computer or tablet in front of the student and a smartphone as the second camera. Both devices join the same Zoom lesson, but only the main device handles audio.
Place it directly in front of the student. Use it to see the teacher’s piano, demonstrations, shared music, annotations, and on-screen instructions. Keep the microphone, speakers, or headphones connected here.
Mount it above the keyboard whenever possible, or beside the piano as an alternative. Join the same Zoom lesson with video on, then disconnect its Zoom audio to prevent echo.
Important: Both devices should join the same Zoom lesson, but only the computer or tablet should handle lesson audio.
Confirm that both devices are in the same Zoom lesson, disconnect Zoom audio on the smartphone, check that both hands are visible, connect both devices to power, and turn on Original Sound for Musicians on the main device.
Preferred Setup
Mount the smartphone directly above the keyboard so the teacher can see both hands, fingering, and movement across as much of the instrument as possible.
Alternative
When an overhead mount is not practical, place the smartphone beside the piano, slightly above the keys and angled downward. Keep both hands and as much of the keyboard as possible in frame.
Place the camera directly in front at eye level. Stand far enough back to show the head, shoulders, torso, and breathing posture.
Composition, songwriting, arranging, orchestration, music theory, and production usually use one computer with screen sharing. The computer’s built-in camera is normally sufficient.
I curated these options to make setup easier. Similar equipment you already own will usually work just as well.
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Required for seeing the teacher, lesson materials, and screen sharing. This device handles the lesson audio.
Recommended for piano lessons to show both hands and the keyboard. A recent iPhone or Android phone is usually sufficient.
Choose the style that fits the room and piano. The phone must remain completely stable.
A tall, affordable tripod stand with an adjustable boom arm. Position it beside the piano and extend the arm over the keyboard.
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A durable professional stand with excellent hardware and stability. Best for families who want a long-lasting setup.
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A heavy-duty studio stand with a very long telescoping arm and counterweight. Best for a permanent or advanced setup.
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Clamp this flexible holder directly to any of the stands above. It fits iPhone and Android phones and allows the camera angle to be adjusted without a separate threaded adapter.
View on Amazon ↗For serious piano study, choose 88 weighted, touch-sensitive keys. Acoustic pianos also work perfectly.
A compact, straightforward 88-key weighted piano for beginning students.
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A stronger action, fuller speakers, and room to grow for developing pianists.
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A premium portable piano with wooden-key action and professional-level sound.
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Wired closed-back headphones that help prevent echo.
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Useful for keeping a mounted phone powered during piano lessons.
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A simple staff-paper notebook for written exercises and composition work.
View on Amazon ↗These are curated starting points, not mandatory purchases. Comparable equipment with the same function will usually work.
Some instructions that you may need.
One device handles all sound. The phone camera should not connect to Zoom audio.
Muting the phone is not enough. Disconnect its Zoom audio completely to prevent echo.
Windows, Mac, and Chromebook: this method works on all of them because the phone joins as a separate Zoom participant.
Mac shortcut: an iPhone can also be selected as a Zoom camera through Apple Continuity Camera, wirelessly or by USB. For two simultaneous views, joining Zoom separately on the phone is usually simpler.
For composition, notation, or production lessons, use Share Screen and include Computer Audio / Share Sound when playing music from the computer.
Best practical setup: computer on Ethernet, phone on strong Wi-Fi, and audio connected only on the computer.
Send a photo of the room and instrument before the first lesson, and I will recommend the simplest workable position.
Ask About Your Setup