Tag
12 posts
Jun 11, 2011
5:21 PM
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Anyone who has taken or given harp lessons on Skype, what sort of computer equipment was needed? A mic I know but do you also need video? Is there enough sound quality in a cheap computer mic (which I have) or do you need a good one? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks
Tag
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KingBiscuit
51 posts
Jun 11, 2011
8:14 PM
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I took Skype lessons with the amazing Jimi Lee for about a year. It worked very well. I have a decent computer and purchased a Logitech 900 web cam. I just use the mic that is integrated into the cam.
It works great! If you have or can get a decent web cam, I think having the video makes it just like being there.
Jimi is an outstanding coach. (pay me later Jimi)...LOL
Dan
Last Edited by on Jun 11, 2011 8:15 PM
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Icemaster
32 posts
Jun 12, 2011
1:48 AM
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I take lessons with Dennis Gruenling on Oovoo and in person. In person is great but online is pretty much just as good. Like KingBiscuit said, I just bought a Logitech webcam for about $40 or so and that was that.
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"A harmonica is not just a souped up kazoo" -Mo Rocca
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AV8R
149 posts
Jun 12, 2011
6:24 AM
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I bought a vintage JT-30 from Cheryl Arena (Dallas based blues player). She threw in a free Skype lesson and it went very well.
I used no additional equipment, just my old MacBook with the built in camera. It was almost as if we were in the same room.
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Tag
13 posts
Jun 12, 2011
6:58 AM
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Thanks guys. I guess it's off to find a webcam for me. Now to just figure out this Skype thingy!!!
Thanks again
Tag
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ReedSqueal
149 posts
Jun 12, 2011
11:40 AM
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But how is the overall audio/video quality of the Skpe lesson? I've tried various video conferencing programs (Yahoo, Micro$oft etc.) and at best, they just blew chunks.
Haven't tried Skype, but I'd hate to pay for lessons to be wasted with lag times, audio drops etc.
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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jim
854 posts
Jun 12, 2011
11:48 AM
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why not just try and TEST?
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Tag
14 posts
Jun 12, 2011
11:55 AM
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You bring up another point though. I am not all that computer savvy and only knew of Skype so I guess the next question is.... what is everyone using for lessons. I am just trying to get ready to find someone to give me some lessons?
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eharp
1326 posts
Jun 12, 2011
11:57 AM
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exactly. skype is a free service for video calls.
go to meijers or targets or wallmart or radio shack, that have a good return policy, ask them which they suggest, buy it, try it (many here have skype accounts, and if it doesnt meet your satisfaction, return it.
my mac computers work great with skype. i was getting a camera for my harp teacher so i wouldnt always have to drive for the lessons and the camera he picked out didnt work very well. we exchanged it for a better model and things now work well.
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12gagedan
54 posts
Jun 12, 2011
1:05 PM
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I just ordered a better webcam (by microsoft) and some speakers on Amazon. I'm going to experiment with some Skype. I'd like to take some lessons because my progress has slowed to a halt lately. I'm also going to teach some, because I think I have something to offer beginners. I won't do too much, because time is scarce, but I'll put out word when I start.
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"12gagedan" on youtube
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ReedSqueal
150 posts
Jun 12, 2011
1:54 PM
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@ Jim - are you offering free lessons to TEST?
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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Diggsblues
794 posts
Jun 13, 2011
4:00 AM
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I use Skype and it works great. I have an intel mac and just use the built in camera and built in mic over
comcast. I'll give lessons over Skype.
Since people are hard up for cash I'll do a
half hour lesson 20 bucks.
You can check out if I can actually play the harmoncica
and my skill set fits want you want to learn by going to: www.youtube.com/diggsblues
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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jim
855 posts
Jun 13, 2011
10:13 AM
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@ReedSqueal:
to test, all you need is to call him/her, play something and ask if the sound quality is ok at the other side.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Tag
15 posts
Jun 14, 2011
9:51 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. Now for more questions.
How far along should a beginner go on his own before looking at taking lessons? Should he be up to more advanced techniques or right at the beginning of learning to play? Also, what is the usual frequency of lessons?
Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Thanks
Last Edited by on Jun 14, 2011 9:57 PM
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ReedSqueal
152 posts
Jun 15, 2011
7:37 AM
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@ Jim - understood. I was just hoping to solicit feedback from people who have actually used Skype to communicate for harp lessons.
Also, it has to provide quality -both- directions. Does no good if say, the instructor can hear/see the student ok, but if the instructor video/audio quality coming back to the student is chopped up, delayed etc. you lose continuity and essentially the design purpose of the whole lesson.
But I have to assume it relies on several factors, but not limited to bandwidth and speed, distance from the participating parties, overall internet traffic at the time, etc.
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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RyanMortos
1073 posts
Jun 15, 2011
7:59 AM
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Pretty sure I mentioned this in another thread but I take Skype lessons and I think they rock! I used to drive 2+ hours a day for in person lessons so it's easy to see the time & money saved. Not to mention once you choose Skype lessons you get a list of available teachers to try out until you find one that matches your learning styles & goals.
As far as quality equipment I use the built in mic on my laptop & the built in webcam. They aren't fancy they came from the factory. I'm quite sure my teacher has a similar set up. I see and hear everything quite fine. The only catch is that if your teacher wants to play a jam track on his end & you want to jam on harmonica from your end Skype doesn't like that it'll start dropping one side or the other. That's why I ended up using band in the box or I suppose the teacher could send the jam track to your email then everything is cool. Otherwise I think Skype lessons are close enough to in person lessons to make them equally worthwhile.
Both parties do need decent internet connection but usually the teacher you are talking to will already have this so you're only concerned about you. I have the lower end of DSL and use it wirelessly, that's not high speed internet nowadays but everything on Skype works fine. My teacher is more then half way across the country from me & I'm quite sure I could have one in California and have the same quality, distance doesn't matter.
Also, in my experience, all Skype teachers will happily sign you up for an introductory test lesson with them which could be free or discounted sometimes & I haven't experienced hard feelings when I found a teacher that didn't meet my expectations. Email the person you're interested in & find out!
@Tag, harmonica players at any level should seek tutelage when they realize it is their time to do so. You could be plenty content with your speed of learning, comprehension, & getting better. Or you'll wake up one day and say hey, I want a teacher to help guide me so my practice & growth experience are as efficient as they can be. The day you say that get a teacher. Think about it, most instruments you're serious about learning you're going to have a teacher from day 1. A lot of times if you wait years you may have a lot of bad habits to unlearn.
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
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12gagedan
58 posts
Jun 15, 2011
7:59 AM
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Tag,
That is a good question. I think it's individual-dependent. Some folks just take off running, figuring out a ton on their own. I was mostly self-taught. What I could have used, however, was some of the direction that lessons might have given me. I also could've saved a great deal of time. If I was advising myself at age 18, I'd tell me to take lessons monthly or quarterly.
On the flip side, I've encountered countless harmonica brothers and sisters whose learning rate is, for whatever reason, slower than my own. (There's always going to be someone faster and someone slower). I am often surprised at how severely lacking many players are with fundamentals, for example. This is the primary motivation behind my youtube content (basic, basic stuff)
I think more structured, early instruction would help these folks right off the bat. Perhaps greater frequency of lessons would also be in order. I've met some late-in-life beginners who followed a "course" like Barrett's Masterclass. They tend to be much stronger players.
Of course, not everyone can afford weekly lessons. Money plays a role in the decision, as does time. It sort of comes down to how much work you do on your own, and how bad you want it. Lessons or not, Camps, books, CD's, etc. . . it all means nada if you don't put the practice in.
(sez the guy who's working on improving intonation following a public calling-out by our own Mooncat. . . Thanks, by the way, J. I really did need to be called out)
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"12gagedan" on youtube
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dukeofwail
1 post
Jun 15, 2011
2:29 PM
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WEB LESSONS
ooVoo and Skype work well for me and my web students. I decline to use Yahoo for low quality and freeze-up. I will try Gmail video call next as recommended to me recently. We use built-in mics, or mics in webcams successfully.
There are 25 VoIP call services, most free. With ooVoo I can email the student my call link, and they are connected without downloading anything.
Robert Hale
Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)
http://www.youtube.com/dukeofwail
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