Tips for skype students

Follow skype's guidelines at this link: 
https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA34541/how-to-have-a-great-skype-call

Sometimes skype trouble happens if a windows update is waiting to be installed. Shut off and then re-start your computer, at least 2 hours before your Skype lesson, especially on a Tuesday (when they usually send all the 'patches' and updates).

Check 'windows update' before the call to see if any pending updates need a restart... if so, do the restart prior to the call.

Conduct a speed test a couple of hours prior to the lesson to confirm that your internet connection is running at your normal speed. 
 Here's a link:  http://www.speedtest.net/

If your speed is low, reboot your internet router (switch it off,  if it doesn't automatically restart, then wait a few minutes and switch it back on), at least one hour before the call. If your speed is low and someone else in your home is using the internet, ask them to close until your lesson is over.

Conduct a Skype test call before your lesson time. (follow the test call instructions by clicking "Echo / Sound Test Service") This will confirm that that your microphone and speakers are working and will allow time to make any adjustments if necessary.

As per the skype guidelines, if any trouble, close other programs while skype is running. In particular, ensure that your antivirus program is not running a scheduled background virus scan, which can impair your computer's performance and cause video/audio issues.

During your lesson, when you're recording a tune from me, mute your microphone to avoid poor sound. After your recording is done, unmute your microphone. (the button for this is in the lower middle of your skype screen and looks like a microphone. To see the buttons, hover your mouse over the lower middle of your skype screen.)

If during the call, your video starts to look odd, refresh it by clicking the video button off and on again. (the button looks like a motion-picture film camera with reels on top)

And of course just be logged into skype a few minutes before your lesson time and I will ring you!

In the event of any video/audio issues during the call, don't panic! Try to bring the problem to my attention, either with voice or video (wave frantically or hold up a sign!). Sometimes Skype's servers and infrastructure are the cause of connection problems and network congestion can affect call quality. If call quality does degrade during the lesson, it can often be corrected by hanging up and re-dialling to obtain a 'fresh' connection.

Keep an eye on the weather, particularly if there are any electrical storms around. If there are storms close by, let me know, so that if lightning or bad weather cause the call to drop I will know what the likely trouble is. Also, some students prefer to postpone their lesson when bad weather is imminent, choosing to shut down their electrical equipment/computers to guard against power surges if they have no surge protectors fitted to their computer power sockets; please let me know!

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