How do I plan my classroom space?
A piano tutoring service is about to be launched. Faced with a new business, bosses always want to start it smoothly, but they don’t know where to start. The following steps help the boss use his thinking from space, instrument settings, etc. to sort out his ideal classroom plan, take stock of how to purchase a piano, the space and limitations of the classroom, and also add the classroom appearance that he hopes to see.
When starting a piano tutoring service, the boss began to have various questions in his mind. How to place the piano under the limited space of the classroom? Will the sound of the piano affect classroom operations? Need to renovate your classroom? If multiple pianos are placed, how should they be arranged? Faced with overwhelming things, you may think, “Can someone give me some advice?” 』
Piano tutoring services can be carried out simultaneously with the regular business of the education center. We should take into account the feelings of parents/students, such as the impact of piano sound on the classroom or students’ curiosity. In addition, there are staff to monitor the activities of multiple students practicing piano. How to create a friendly classroom environment has become an important matter, so that parents, students, and staff can study and work with confidence. Even if new business is added, the classroom can still operate as usual.
Start with the piano
There are many types of pianos on the market, generally divided into two categories: wooden pianos and digital pianos. Wooden pianos are divided into two categories: grand pianos or straight pianos. Digital pianos are also divided into two categories: electronic keyboards and digital pianos. The general price order from high to low is (grand piano – straight piano – digital piano – electronic keyboard). Each of them has its own functions. Of course, there are also digital pianos that are more expensive than straight pianos, so I will not list them all here.
Considering factors such as classroom environment, cost considerations, parents’ concerns, and student feel, we recommend choosing a digital piano (hereinafter referred to as a digital piano). Its advantages are as follows:
- Affordable price
- Small size and does not take up space
- Simulated piano keys (larger resistance when pressing the keys)
- Headphones can be plugged in (does not affect classroom operation when in use)
- There is linear input sound (matched with tablet computer to play teaching materials)
- Has linear output sound (convenient for recording videos)
However, there are many digital piano models with their own characteristics, so how should you consider them?
In order to participate in the piano tutoring service, an operating education center must place a digital piano. But the real situation is that the operating education center already has desk furniture in use. We hope to add one or more digital pianos and integrate them into the classroom smoothly with “minimum modification of the classroom space”. Therefore, when choosing a digital piano, we can consider two aspects: volume and appearance design.
The reason for choosing them is that they belong to the type of simulated piano keys. The keys can simulate the weight and vibration response of a straight piano. In addition, they have two characteristics in common, that is, their upper covers are flip-top designs, which are as flat as ordinary desktops after being covered. Another characteristic is that the size of these pianos is similar to that of a common work table in an education center. As long as a protective rubber pad is placed on top, it can be used as an ordinary work table and can be fully integrated into the classroom space.
Recommended models of digital pianos
The above digital pianos are still available for purchase at musical instrument retailers, with prices ranging from approximately HK$3,800 to HK$6,800 (it is recommended to check with the retailer).
The digital piano can be equipped with headphones and a recording cable. Students can practice with headphones without affecting the daily operations of the classroom. The recording cable is used to connect the tablet (to play EXAMpiece™videos) and the digital piano. After the connection, students can hear the sound of the video in the headphones. Another use is that it can be connected to video equipment when recording videos to avoid recording the sound of the educational environment. As for the connection methods between various devices, they will be explained in detail during the negotiation between the two parties.
Digital piano placement
Before exploring how to place a digital piano, let’s first introduce the basic work content of an employee and the maximum number of students he can supervise. Before students practice, employees need to help students connect their tablets and digital pianos; monitor students’ concentration while practicing. The work content is similar to that of tutors. We recommend that one employee can supervise up to four students practicing at the same time.
Three recommended placement methods for digital pianos
- Students in the same direction
- Student face-to-face
- Students back-to-back
The education center can arrange the placement of digital pianos according to needs or on-site environment. The purpose of arranging the placement is to facilitate staff to supervise students and provide timely assistance.
The following schematic diagram (digital piano model is limited by software, for reference only):
P.S. The digital piano model is limited by the software and is for reference only