lessons via skype?

[Gregory Bruce Campbell]

I am interested in giving BASS lessons via Skype…

And suggestions, experiences, or insights anyone may wiling to share?

[MNAirHead]

a strong outline

check out MusicDojo

[kesslari]

The biggest thing, IMO, is having people who know you well enough to be willing to try lessons with you via an unfamiliar medium. I don't know you, so I wouldn't be inclined to try Skype lessons with you. I do know Anthony Wellington, and do Skype lessons with him. The fact that I don't know who you are isn't the point - the point is that if you have a group of people outside of your local area who know you well enough to jump at the chance for lessons with you, they may be willing to try Skype. If you're not well known outside of your local market, then it might not be worthwhile.

A few things I've learned:

1. First time for each student, set an "out of lesson" time to verify the connection. It'll save time in the first lesson, or let you know that for that student or that connection level, it's not feasible. Especially during the first lesson, the student will be thinking "is this worth my time and money?". If you spend 20 minutes out of an hour getting the connection right, they'll be more likely to think "not worth it".

2. Because of lag, you can't jam with the student, or have them play to your metronome. They will need a metronome at their end.

3. Be sure you can see them well enough, and they can see you well enough, and you can both hear well enough, for the lesson to work.

Good luck!

[Snarf]

I think I commented on a similar thread . . .

It's tough to teach via Skype. It's better if you're teaching someone who's really good already and giving them some more focused direction. It absolutely sucks for teaching beginners, because they REALLY need someone in the room with them real time to show them basic concepts.

[devine]

I love teaching via Skype! I guess teaching beginners would be harder but I don't really teach any so I can't comment.

The good things for you...
-You can pretty much reach anyone on the globe as long as there connection is up to speed (you can check this with them before the lesson). This means your potential client list is LARGE!
-You get to connect with people from completely different backgrounds and cultures... I've given lessons to people from the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Italy, France, Australia, Malaysia etc etc. And I live in the UK.

The good points for them...
-They can actually get a great teacher and not have to put up with the guitar teacher at the local music store who happens to play a little bit of bass.
-If they are quite advanced they can choose a tutor that specializes in what they want to focus on. For example... if someone wants to learn how to slap like Victor Wooten i'm not your guy, but on the other hand if you they wanna learn how to play over giant steps in 7/8 i'm your man lol!
Basically it just gives them more options.

The bad bits...
-Depending where they are the connection can be bad... but you should check this out before hand.
-The 'scare factor'. Giving Skype lessons can be quite weird to start with, especially to new students... You click a button and then suddenly there's a guy in front of you that you've never met before with a bass in his hands. I was nervous to start with but you soon get used to it. The gag is... prepare the lessons before hand!!! Have at least 15 different areas you can touch on within a lesson, each with different exercises. Obviously you don't want to touch on each of these different areas in one lesson... i try to do around two different concepts per lesson. But, it helps to have them on hand if you need them.

Hope that helps man. I really believe this is going to be the way everything goes in the future so hop on the wagon man!

Gimme a shout if you need any other pointers.

Easy,

Scott.

Scottsbasslessons
SCOTT DEVINE-BASS PLAYER-COMPOSER-EDUCATOR

[foundation]

I would also add...have a white board and a marker available in case you want to write something down to show your student.