The struggles of a music education major going from in person to an online format. I know all majors are feeling this struggle, but there are just some majors and/or classes that just can’t be completed to the full extent in an online formatting. Last semester and this semester now we have all had to endure online classes. We are all feeling the same problems and stress of these issues but all majors feel it slightly differently. I am going to share my experience with classes, quarantine, practicing, dorming and roommates.
Practicing can be hard when you have to work around several instruments, limited practice locations, and when it is acceptable to practice in your dorm. So I play several instruments and in music technique classes where I learn new instruments. I regularly play the flute, mellophone, piano and sing in my room. There are cons to playing each in the room.
For the flute, it’s that the instrument is higher pitched which the noise does creep out into the hallway.
For Mellophone, it is a brass instrument which can be very loud while practicing the marching bands show. I know the sounds definitely get into the hallway.
For Piano, it’s not too loud and it has a headphone plug in but the hard put is trying to use a pedal that isn’t too strong and it’s hard to play because it has to be on my bed which is not a good height to work with.
For voice, I am a 1st soprano which means I can sing really high. I am also a natural at projecting my voice without trying.
Due to Covid-19, rehearsal spaces/locations and time is limited. The practice rooms and the music house rooms are able to be used for private practice between classes. You can book practice rooms for 30 minutes at a time with 15 minutes air out breaks between the practice blocks. We also have the ability to use Madsen and LeClaire between classes, ensemble rehearsals, and private lessons. Due to limited practice spaces and covid several musicians and vocalists like me have resorted to practicing in our dorm rooms. I am so thankful for my roommate along with suitemates for understanding that it is hard to get practice times that work for my schedule. I am also thankful for my RA and the 3rd floor of North for letting me practice. Several others have also started playing the guitar, piano or singing in the room. I wanted to take everyone’s schedule into consideration so I needed to plan around the normal class hours, when it is too early or too late and with my lessons. I have a voice lesson at 7pm on Monday for 30 minutes and my flute lesson on Tuesday at 2:30 for an hour. I have piano techniques at 11am on Tuesday and Thursday. I try not to practice more than 30 minutes before my lessons in the middle of the day. I don’t practice before noon and after 9pm.
Covid has picked up at school which has caused my classes to go online. Going online means that more instruments and equipment are in the room. Just to name a few things that I have are: 4 marimba mallets, drumsticks, a drum pad, 2 extra horn mouthpieces, 1 trombone mouthpiece, a baton, portal piano, Mi-T-Mist and equipment to fix instruments. When being online it is hard to practice or get a hold of certain instruments. In percussion techniques we are currently learning the marimba. Going online has been a challenge because we don’t have enough marimbas for everyone in the class but also there isn’t enough room in our room’s to hold a 5 octave marimba.
I mentioned how I have a great roommate. Amber has been really good with understanding how crazy my schedule can be along with the transition online. We have several classes that overlap which can be difficult especially when they are my music classes that I am playing or need space between the computer and I so I can’t use headphones since my whole upper body needs to be in front of the computer screen. Amber also has a cat named Aldo. Aldo is very energetic and adorable but sometimes hard to handle. Aldo has been very good with me playing several instruments with the exception of me on the flute. Aldo is not a fan of the higher notes on the flutes. He tends to go crazy and attack me when I play too high for too long.
Lastly, the music department was doing amazing with keeping all of us safe and avoiding the spreading of covid. In rehearsals we stand 6ft apart, wear masks, use horn covers, practice outside when possible, practice for 30 minutes at a time and if we want to go longer we have a break in the middle to let the room air out. In rehearsals we have been very careful so we do not spread covid. We have had a few individuals test positive for covid but it has not spread crazily and has been contained very well. Our music department has been amazing with looking out for us and our health.