Zoom Trial Lessons?

Hi everyone! Congratulations to everyone on the amazing acceptances so far. I’ve heard back from all my schools and now it’s time to decide…unfortunately for music majors, the professors play a huge role in that decision. Well, just when I was ready to schedule a flight to Indiana to take a few practice lessons, NY state is in lockdown. A few of other musicians I’ve spoken to have said they’ve taken Zoom lessons with professors to replace real life interaction. Has anyone had experience with this? How would it work exactly? I’m sure a lot of other students are wondering themselves, so please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts.

D has had several zoom lessons, including with 2 IU professors. Has been fine! Some do still charge for their time, so ask upfront!

My daughter just did this too - a “get to know you” and lesson via video with a voice professor. Like @songbirdmama 's daughter, mine is an MM candidate.

As in any in-person trial lesson, try to evaluate your communication “fit.” And, maybe having the same sense of humor or any other aspect that’s important to you. It’s always good to hear that a voice professor will prioritize the health of your voice.

In both “IU” cases, D sang without accompaniment and this was fine. They remembered her audition and could comment on things they observed or would work on if they were her teacher. In a separate lesson with a faculty member at a different school. the teacher didn’t want to work without piano accompaniment, but they talked for over an hour. Again, the teacher remembered her audition and was able to discuss what she saw. So give it a go if it can be arranged. They all were in their homes too, so it was pretty informal…

Not voice, violin. And not a trial lesson, a regular one (online lessons for the rest of the semester). For the most part it seems to work decently, but the sound quality is not ideal.
The prof wanted to hear some ringing in the Bach that was being worked on, which I could hear on this end, but was lost in either Zoom, the mic at the student end, or the speakers on the computer at the other end. It may work better if headphones are used, but wired ones are out of the question (almost ?) for the violin and viola since they get in the way of the chin-rest on the students side (and for the professor if there is a demonstration).