How to Create the PERFECT Overhead Webcam Setup for Online Piano Lessons! EASY & Budget Friendly!

[@faeriequest]

I know it's been 3 years since you made this video, but I was very appreciative of it today (3 years later) in being able to put my webcam arm at the back of my table (instead of next to me, so I had to sit to the side) and have my webcam overhead showing my table surface upright instead of upside down. Like you, I searched, but could find nothing. Thank you for filming this particular video!!! Blessings!

[@pf2135]

Thanks, this was very helpful. Just wanted to mention that the Webcam Link is busted which is your first link.

[@kamalranatunga]

wow .. simple yet the most practical setup .. more importantly, looks very generous. thanks for sharing

[@jongorman5256]

Terrific and helpful video! But how are you having your students set up to be seen and interact on their end? What equipment are you having them get?

[@Victoria-hy1gb]

God bless you dear Margaret !!! This video is very useful for me. I am a pianist and also want to teach online. And I am very grateful to you for your time, this is a great explanation and extensive information. You are the best !!! Hugs

[@mariecloutier3548]

thanks for all this great information!

[@ndmdigital]

Thank you especially the stacking books part . 😅Awesome tips ✌️

[@nalinisumithra1095]

Thank u for sharing the information.

[@21mooncake]

Thankyou for the sharing ，that's really helpful for my online lesson with my students.

[@ritaseumanutafapalala]

So helpful, thank you!

[@trishahoffman1592]

Your video was so helpful! What video editor do you prefer when making your videos? Thank you!! 😊

[@JerryAbah]

This is an awesome and cost-effective setup. Thanks for sharing.

[@liubomyrsenyshyn]

Amazing set-up! Bravo👌🏻

[@JustinDAMusic]

Thanks for sharing. This was very helpful.

[@keithkunikida1222]

Finally someone shows me how to set up on an upright

[@thecuriouspiano]

I’m so happy to hear this has been helpful!! It took a lot of finagling to get it set up for an upright 😅

[@keithkunikida1222]

This should’ve been helpful, because I have a KZbin channel that uploads piano covers and I can only drool for this type of setup. Still need to buy the phone stand

[@musictramp41]

Thanks for this video. Could you post something regarding how to help your students set up cameras for their lessons?

[@basicchannel745]

Hi - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

[@Bannerkim1]

Nice video although I have a different web cam, the additional accessories are good to know about.

[@learnkeyboard]

Thank you so much ❤😊 🙏

[@KristenRiley-m1q]

Is there a way to see your full set up put together? Thank you so much for this video

[@bruimprov]

excellent video! How does the webcam connect to an ipad or device?

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Bru - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

Thanks!

[@pianolesvanrenetv]

nice video Margaret, good luck with your lessons and channel 👍 What lav mic are you using and how did you set it up?

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Rene - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

[@turnersmusicworkshops]

Awesome Maggie!! I'm a Suzuki piano teacher in Palm Bay FL. I'm trying to streamline the process of recoding my lessons and making them available to students and parents after the fact. Which streaming platform do you use, and do you use a channel switcher (camera switcher, ATEM Mini Pro for example) to switch between camera angles? The mirrored camera was also a challenge for me but I finally figured it out using Manycam where I can switch the mirrored image off. I'll definitely use pick up the stand and that extra web cam. Thanks!!!

[@loukasvoud8659]

Great setup!! unfortunately the Double Bear Overhead Phone Stand is not available anymore. Any similar ideas? thanks a lot and greetings from Switzerland!

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Loukas - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

[@testchannelone6616]

Can you tell me how do you manage to keep your head from interfering with the view of the keyboard in the vid? Thanks.

[@leoscareer]

Teacher, what lights do you use for this video?

[@mellomusique]

Is there a certain piece needed to connect the clip of the webcam to the stand?

[@316music8]

Kindly share a link for the web cam stand.. I like to buy it

[@biblicalhebrewmadeez1332]

Thank you so much! I subscribed. Do you have any videos on how to set up everything you spoke about? I sing and do free piano and Hebrew tutorials, which I have been avoiding to do the piano tutorial for almost 8 months because I have purchased so many different things, including the Focusrite which I can’t figure out how to connect my voice and electric piano to record. I would appreciate so much if you can give me some help on this.

[@GabeChurray]

Hi There! Just curious what camera you are using for your opening shot? The one you're narrating into... Thanks!

[@basicchannel745]

Hi! Currently I have a canon rebel 3ti with a 25 mm lens, which is what I used to shoot the opening. Hope it’s helpful!

[@GabeChurray]

@@basicchannel745 perfect. Thank you!

[@loopyboz]

Really helpful information!

[@shivarahimipiano]

Thank you so much for sharing what worked for you for online piano lessons! I just have a question: Can I use the tripod on my grand piano for overhead views? Would it just work as well as it would for the upright?

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Shiva - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

[@ChuckvLewis]

what is the mic hooked up to? I saw the mic but I did not see where the mic chord went to?

[@bellrin8880]

Tks for the link but it would be gd if you can show us via the video on how you do the setup step by step besides describing it in the video would be helpful.

[@thecuriouspiano]

Hi Chen! Thanks for the comment and watching. I’ve heard that from others so I will plan to do an updated setup soon and include the actual set up! Hope you will tune in when it’s posted!

[@bobbywest485]

thank you

[@FreshAirRules]

You didn't mention what you use for your head camera. Its moving as you move. I suppose its a GoPro? That's an interesting idea as it tracks your head movements.But how to switch between that one and the other camera? Or how to send both in a split screen? Setting up an effective rig is not easy!

[@vspianist]

honestly, just use continuity camera on ur iphone + mac and buy an overhead mic stand with a camera holder clip on. And boom, you have a wireless, convenient, low latency, and highres setup

[@GrantJunior0]

Do you recommend any overhead mic?

[@vspianist]

@@GrantJunior0 just use ur macbook mic. That's already good enough. But if you WANT to get complicated, I'd recommend the blue yeti

[@terrimyers3989]

I purchased the stand and the webcam but I can't figure out how to attach the camera to the stand. the stand is made for an iPhone. To attach a camera it seems I am missing a part. Can you show how to attach it please?

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Terry! Did you get the exact same items mentioned in the video or alternatives?

[@cynthiamacias1024]

Why do you need the audio interface? And how do you integrate it so you can move back and forth from the overhead camera to the laptop camera within a Zoom lesson? Thank you!

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Cynthia - thanks for your question. I’ve answered it in my most recent video!

[@ezpianoforsingers6904]

I would have liked to see you set it up because I cannot visualize what your set up is. Also, what software do you use to get your self viewed in a frame and the keyboard separate? Looks like a card.

[@ryancharles6080]

Hi! I like the setup you have especially the use of a simple overhead shot. Just want to know if you have tried other video call platforms? And which one would you recommend? Thanks a lot!

[@thecuriouspiano]

Hi Ryan! Thanks for your comment! I tried a few other the past year and I stuck to Zoom for the quality and general level of ease, but I know people who use FaceTime, OBS, Ecamm (can have multiple camera angles simultaneously), and I’m sure there are many others as well! You should check out “Vibrant Music Teaching” channel, she has loads of creative online set ups!

[@sahinqarayev2092]

Hello. Please tell me. Is it possible, using an ordinary home piano, to create such lessons if there is no MIDI keyboard. If so, what programs are needed? thanks for the answer

[@biblicalhebrewmadeez1332]

The web cam link you show is a bad link. Can you repost?

[@dokiva1]

How much are your lessons for kids ?

[@Heldiyuliyana]

You’r so beautyfull 😍

[@yuetyee0415]

thanks. Would that work for a grand piano?

[@thecuriouspiano]

Hi! This is a great question! I haven’t tested this particular set up on a grand piano, because sadly I don’t own one :( I would be curious to test it, and if I get the chance to I will definitely let you know! :) thanks for watching!

[@sscs99]

how do I make the swivel stop tilting? just set my phone on it, but it keeps moving thanks

[@thecuriouspiano]

Hi Susan, do you mean the overhead setup? Sometimes if I wanted to use my camera or phone I would just take a small bag with a weight or something slightly heavy and loop it over the back arm to prevent tilting :)

[@sscs99]

@@thecuriouspiano I was using the overhead weighted phone stand that you rec'd. I finally figured out how to adjust the swivel. lol. Thanks. It was great view for my virtual recital recording, especially for duets.

[@bruimprov]

I’m not understanding how the student can see both the tablet e.g. and the webcam simultaneously.

[@lol-pb4rl]

and how does the students view you through? computer/zoom/ or etc? and did u request students to have a minimum set up so that u can listen to them play? what do they need then? can the webcam reach the score as well?

[@thecuriouspiano]

Hi! Thanks for your questions :) 1. The students view me through Zoom! All of my extra gadgets are connected to Zoom to enhance the quality of the online platform 2. I request that students use a computer or tablet, not a phone and set it up so that I can see their full keyboard and face from the side! Depending on the length of time that they will take online lessons, I may suggest a microphone. But overall it’s more important for the teacher to have a good setup 3. The webcam is solely for the purpose of seeing my hands overtop, I don’t use this for my music. To share my music, I use the “share my screen” function on Zoom to connect my IPad to view the music and any annotations on screen! Hopefully this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

[@lol-pb4rl]

@@thecuriouspiano Good content, how is the piano sound quality from zoom after the setup? any chance to listen to it if possible, thank you!

[@basicchannel745]

@@lol-pb4rl since the audio is coming through the XLR mic and through the audio interface it’s very good quality :)

[@Yuliana_lisova]

I wished you explained how to fix upside down keyboard view. You said you struggled and I was waiting whole video for explanation.

[@basicchannel745]

Hi Yuliana! I did briefly explain that I was able to fix this by way of the webcam I personally use as it swivels 360 degrees. While that Webcam is no longer sold, any that allows you to turn it around to your liking while make that possible. Hope this helps!

[@glendike5843]

why did you not tell us how you can set up the Cam without it mirroring?????????????????????????????????????

[@thedeadman4409]

I came here and it feels so simp-le.

[@learning4tech]

It would be great to know how you actually set it up, not which product you use.

[@sanfran224]

What a beautiful face

[@Heldiyuliyana]

You’r so beautyfull 😍

[@BlessedTex_]

Very insightful! Thank you!