March 6, 2012

Rehearse music online

QUESTION

Dear Kim, I have been invited to sing in a 50-voice choir touring Europe. Singers are from Alaska, Texas, California and New York. Only one full rehearsal is scheduled - in Rome, Italy, at the start of the two week tour. I am looking for an inexpensive way for the singers to "attend" small group rehearsals online. This would enable us to learn the songs better and improve the quality of performance on the tour. I am also looking for your advice on the best camera to use on the tour. I have an old Nikon Coolpix 2000 and an old Nikormat SLR with a wide angle and telephoto lens. Would you recommend another camera for the trip?
-Bill from Whitesboro, NY, listens to my national radio show on WIBX 950 AM.

ANSWER

That sounds like a fantastic opportunity, Bill, and quite an honor. I'll do my best to help you get ready for it.

I'm going to start with the camera, since that's the easiest part. You'll definitely want a new camera for the trip.

The Coolpix is 10 years old and has the low resolution and performance to match. While the Nikormat a good camera, it still uses film. You want to be able to take hundreds of photos without lugging around a bunch of rolls. On a trip like this, you want the best quality and performance you can afford.

A digital SLR will take the best photos, but lugging one of those around Europe isn't recommended. I'd recommend a compact travel camera instead. These balance good quality with easy-to-carry size. Make sure to bring along an extra battery and several extra memory cards. Travelers' cameras are among the most stolen items in Italy, so be sure to have a pick-pocket-proof plan on how to carry it, too.

Now that the camera talk is out of the way, let's talk about ways to rehearse online. >>

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