Just curious if anyone has used Skype for lessons, and how was the experience? Also, if anyone has some free time to sort out a few tunes now and again, and share a cyber pint IM me. thanks and cheers.
I had some Skype lessons with Patrick D’Arcy last year when I was living in upstate New York. We had the occasional connection problems and garbled sound, but for the most part it was a very valuable experience. The upside is that you can see each others fingers, you get immediate feedback, and you can record the lesson complete with video for later review. The biggest downside is that you can’t play together because there is usually a second or two of delay in transmission.
I’ve also had in-person lessons with Patrick. Skype lessons lack some of the nuance that you get in person, but they beat the heck out of sitting home alone with the Rowsome Tutor, which is how I originally started learning back in the '70s, or waiting for the Tionól or two a year that you can attend. If you don’t have easy access to a teacher–or want to get varied input–they can be most useful.
Ken
I have to agree on all points with Ken. Skype is not perfect, but you can only get so far with a lesson book until frustration sets in. You also don’t know what you might be doing incorrectly in your technique. That face to face (screen to screen?) is invaluable if there are no pipers in your area.
I have signed up with a local instructor for a skype lesson next week, I am anxious for that. At my wits end learning on my own.
Ken’s right. Skype is a workable solution, but the best option would be a class “in person”.
John,
I am not a teacher, but I would be happy to set up a time to Skype with you and try to work out some stuff together. I am coming up on a year of playing and am feeling really great about my progress… mostly at it on my own as you are. Just came back from a day of classes with Michael Cooney down in Baltimore. Wonderful!.
Arbo
FWIW, Mr. Cooney gives Skype lessons; he’s in Lake Placid. So does Bill Ochs, and he’s in Brooklyn.
Expensive, it is! I have spent my money on a new set of pipes… alas.
Cheers.
Skype is a workable solution
At some point I considered offering Skype lessons. Seeing Skype used for conversations and the apparent delays made me wonder about it being feasible.
Am willing to give it a try though, if anyone is interested.
As mentioned above, a slight delay prevents the student and teacher from playing along together, but other than that, Skype is useful. If, like me, you’re not in driving distance of a good teacher, it’s a great option.
Occasionally, the signal might be weak, the sound a little “tinny” or the call might be dropped but that’s normally resolved quickly.
Took a lesson with Bill Ochs from NY on Skype. I think it went well. Will be doing it again for sure.
Speaking about Skype, Has anyone ever tried a Skype Seisiún?
Don’t miss the piping classes at CIAW this summer!
Meanwhile, I don’t know where in NJ you are, or what would keep you from driving, but there is the Hudson River Pipers’ Club not THAT far away from you. They meet once a month on a Saturday, I think.
I do go to the Hudson Rivers Pipers Club when I can, great folks there. Well run group and very helpful. Just had a Skype tune time with a friend last night. Really a great tool to learn new tunes and techniques. So for any pipers out there that think they might like to chat over Skype and help a relatively newbie out, my skype name is the same as here. JohnERed66 cheers