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skype/facetime lessons

paradog

paradog

Dec 25, 2011
456
57
Central NJ
#1
I saw a thread that mentioned this in passing...has anyone ever done this method of instruction or receive instruction this way? besides obvious audio issues, what are some of the concerns with this?

I am looking for a teacher that can teach an old dog... but since my life is a busy one...looking to meet once a month. Looking to learn jazz, blues, rock...finger method, no slap (at least not for a year).
 
#2
I do Skype lessons with Anthony Wellington. It's been great. He's a phenomenal teacher.

Pros outweigh the cons in my book.
You can take lessons with ANYONE, not just someone who lives nearby. That's HUGE, and it's why I take skype lessons with Anthony. :D
Also, there's no drive time. If I take a lesson with someone who lives in San Jose, I have about 90 minutes of driving (total) to my hour long lesson. If they're in San Francisco, I add about 3-4 hours of driving for a one hour lesson.
Skype? Fire it up, start, finish.
So in my mind you get MORE for your money (counting travel time).

The downside is that you need a teacher who is comfortable with the medium - there are some tricks to doing it. Also, obviously, you need decent bandwidth, but that's about it.

I strongly recommend it, unless you have a really killer, experienced, together, world-class teacher right close by.
 
#3
My experience with Skype as a teacher has been good and students like it too! Using a small bass amp works good if your using the mic on your computer, it does not need to be cranked.Using some speakers hooked up to your computer works great! I play directly plugged in through a m audio interface and monitor the audio through my tannoy near field monitors of what I'm receiving as well as what I am playing. You can also receive written score or chord charts or tab using the text feature. So I would give skype a total thumbs up. I would be happy to work with you in any time frame that works for you. I have over 30 years experience, learn more at www.groovemonster.net .
Thanks Winn
 
#5
Hi, Its a m audio fast track. I am using it with my mac air book
but I think it's also pc compatable. It's pretty basic it has 1 XLR
"microphone" input and 1 1/4 inch standard input for your bass or anything that uses a standard cord. It also has a headphone jack,as far as input control it has a mic gain,instrument gain and a output knob. It interfaces using a usb. I use Tannoy reveal near field monitors, they are self powered and biamped
and have 60 watts each, they sound amazing! and they handle bass very well. Hope this info helps
 
#9
I’ve thought about taking lessons via “video” but I am unsure for a few reasons.

1. Internet speeds: Not sure about the US, but where I am in the middle of nowhere Australia, the speed (around 4mbps) seems to slow for any sort of quality conversation, let alone learning.
2. Sound & Light: I’m sure the teacher will have adequate sound and light for me to see & hear what I should be learning, but I’m not sure if I have adequate for the teacher to gauge what I am doing or doing wrong.
3. Dedicated Space: when travelling to a lesson it is a given that the teacher will have some sort of studio to allow uninterrupted learning. I don’t have that at my house.

If these things can be overcome, I think Skype/FaceTime would be a great way for people to get access to first class teachers, when residing in second class areas. It is pretty cool to think that I could get lessons from a pro in New York or Nashville in the middle of nowhere rural Australia.
 

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