Homespun catalog on the Cafe

**jim_n_virginia** · Aug-21-2009, 12:24am

Well I downloaded it to see what's on the catalog hoping there was something I could use. I think it is a great idea.

I still like having the DVD in hand but if I can download it cheaper I'd watch it on my computer. I haven't checked yet to see it it is any cheaper to just watch a instructional DVD online than buying the DVD but it should be cheaper because Homespun saves money from not having to give you a DVD.

Anyways I think it is a cool idea but I have to admit I was a little disapointed that out of 90 or so titles on the catalog only like 4 are for the mandolin. Butch's DVD's and Sam Bush's of which I already have them all.

I hope Homespun will add more mando content soon. If they add that McCoury DVD I'd buy that one in a minute. It has Baltimore Johnny on it and I have been wanting to learn that one.

**Lorenzo LaRue** · Aug-21-2009, 10:52am

I downloaded the software (windows XP) and it crashed. Any suggestions. I would probably go for the Mike Marshall material when it comes out. Seems like a good idea.

**Ray(T)** · Aug-21-2009, 11:32am

I assume Homespun DVD's are region specific? If so, it would be easier to access them in the UK. From what I can see though, the download version doesn't seem any cheaper than the hard copy. All there is to be saved is the delivery charge.
Ray

**OldSausage** · Aug-21-2009, 12:01pm

I tried this out from Homespun shortly before it appeared on the Cafe. I got the Butch Baldassari DVD just to test it out. It worked well, I love it and will buy more because it saves time and money. The one I bought was 10 bucks cheaper as a download. I run it on Windows XP on a very ordinary laptop. Seems like a great idea, especially if they add more mandolin titles.

**jim_n_virginia** · Aug-21-2009, 5:42pm

Yeah my download went smooth as butter. But I am running a pretty fast computer on cable modem.

I think if Homespun makes them cheaper than sending for a DVD I think they will sell a lot of downloads.

And I wonder why they partnered with the Cafe but loaded a bunch of guitar titles. Seems like the UMGF would be a better place to start out with what they have loaded now.

And I wonder if you buy one can you download it to your computer and burn it?

**Scott Tichenor** · Aug-21-2009, 6:52pm

Guitar likely makes up 75% of their sales I'd guess. If I was running that business, that'd be what I'd pay most attention to if I wanted to eat. This is all pretty new for them, and the process of conversion isn't as easy as just flipping a switch from discussions I've had, and I'm guessing it's not cheap.

Here's a quote from the press release below. This was never meant to be launched with everything from their entire mandolin selection. It will take time. There are some instruments not yet even represented. Happy has registered and I hope he'll weigh in and answer questions. My basic interest here was that getting the mandolin community in the queue first would give us some input into the process.

And Jim, to answer your question, many mandolin players play another instrument, and plenty of them play guitar. No reason the entire line of instruments can't and shouldn't be represented.

From the press release:

- At the time of the launch, Homespun's complete catalog of mandolin instruction is not available due to time and technological constraints involved in transitioning the collection to this new format. However, some of their best selling lessons of all-time are currently available including Chris Thile's groundbreaking Essential Techniques for Mandolin, Butch Baldassari's popular You Can Play Bluegrass series and ever popular The Sam Bush Mandolin Method.

Mike Marshall's blockbuster two-DVD Mandolin Fundamentals for All Players is said to be the next available release via Instant Access and available within 7-10 days of this announcement.

**jim_n_virginia** · Aug-21-2009, 11:09pm

Originally Posted by Scott Tichenor

And Jim, to answer your question, many mandolin players play another instrument, and plenty of them play guitar. No reason the entire line of instruments can't and shouldn't be represented.

Mike Marshall's blockbuster two-DVD Mandolin Fundamentals for All Players is said to be the next available release via Instant Access and available within 7-10 days of this announcement.

Yeah Scott I know, I play guitar myself I' just I think this is a very good idea. Instant access to instructional DVD's how cool is that?

I kinda figured they would add more as time goes by I guess I am impatient! LOL!

And Mike Marshall's DVD is one I don't have so I most definitely will want to check that one out.

**Happy Traum** · Aug-22-2009, 10:05am

Hi Friends,

We're very excited that Mandolin Cafe has become the first online site (outside of our own) to offer our Homespun Instant Access downloads. We believe that there is nothing quite like this delivery system and we're very proud of it. I'm interested in your thoughts and questions, and want to add some observances of my own.

Some of you mentioned that our catalog contains mostly guitar and not predominantly mandolin instruction, which is true. However, we have some terrific mando lessons online now, and will be adding ones by Mike Marshall, Ronnie McCoury, Norman Blake, Jesse McReynolds and Sam Bush in the coming weeks. I also know that many of you play more than one instrument and hopefully you'll be interested in our guitar, fiddle, banjo lessons as well.

Our prices for the download versions are $5 - $10 below what we charge for the hard DVDs, and of course you don't have to pay shipping/handling. We are hopeful that this will encourage you to try this method of getting your mandolin instruction.

We have been enjoying great responses and a high rate of success from those who've purchased our Instant Access lessons. We'll be continuously adding to our list of Instant Access lessons as well as upgrading our download application, so please keep checking back with us. Your input is very important and we take it very seriously.

Thanks for listening.

Happy Traum
Homespun Music Instruction

**Ray(T)** · Aug-22-2009, 10:07am

The other advantage of a download is that the UK taxman won't want his pound of flesh!
Ray

**OldSausage** · Aug-22-2009, 10:30am

Originally Posted by Ray(T)

The other advantage of a download is that the UK taxman won't want his pound of flesh!
Ray

He probably still wants it, so gather ye rosebuds while ye may

**mandofire1980** · Aug-22-2009, 1:56pm

don't know if it was mentioned but how do you get the tab books that come with the dvds? are they somewhere on the sight for download as well?

**Erik Gran** · Aug-22-2009, 2:41pm

Tab booklets are include in the download, as pdf files, you can always open the tab from the player, or print it.

**Rob Gerety** · Aug-23-2009, 8:40am

I think this is a terrific idea. We all just need to be a little patient while they get all their titles on line. I must say, Homespun Tapes is a terrific business. I have purchased many titles for guitar and mandolin and without exception they have been excellent quality and accurately described as far as level etc.

**jim_n_virginia** · Aug-23-2009, 8:45am

Yep they have quite a bit of money of mine too more than any other outfit except maybe Mel Bay. Every CD or DVD I have gotten from them I have learned something from it none were duds like some others I have had.

**cjboehne** · Aug-23-2009, 7:21pm

Happy Traum,

A huge thanks from the Expats!

I'm over in Beijing, China and used to buy the DVD, pay domestic shipping and then have the DVD sent to a friend to "sherpa" it from the states. A process that usually took a few weeks.

Thanks again and I look forward to more Mandolin releases!

Cheers,
Chris

**Paul vG** · Aug-23-2009, 7:38pm

This is a terrific idea. I just downloaded the Chris Thiele lessons and I'm pretty happy with how the software works - it beats a dvd imo.

This software opens up a new possibility - I'd be interested in paying a yearly subscription to be able to download any title I wanted to and "keep" it for two weeks, or a month, just like a library - then "return" it to try a new one. There are plenty of lessons that I might have a casual interest in, but wouldn't normally buy the DVD. For those that I decide I'd like to keep, I could just pay a little extra for a permanent download.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

(Oh, and the Chris Thiele download was well worth it)

**jim_n_virginia** · Aug-23-2009, 7:48pm

Originally Posted by Paul vG

This software opens up a new possibility - I'd be interested in paying a yearly subscription to be able to download any title I wanted to and "keep" it for two weeks, or a month, just like a library - then "return" it to try a new one. There are plenty of lessons that I might have a casual interest in, but wouldn't normally buy the DVD. For those that I decide I'd like to keep, I could just pay a little extra for a permanent download.
Just thought I'd throw that out there.

WOW! Great idea! Sort of like a All-U-Can-Eat Buffet for mandolin and other instrument instruction! I would most def be interested in something like this too.

**OldSausage** · Aug-23-2009, 8:08pm

It already exists, it's called "Netflix". Although, they don't seem to have that many Homespun DVDs on there, someone ought to tell them, or Homespun, or something...

**Barb Friedland** · Aug-23-2009, 8:29pm

Great idea! Eagerly awaiting more mando content. Thanks for making this resource available.

**diptanshu** · Aug-24-2009, 12:22am

i was very excited about it and even downloaded and watched some stuff on friday. but now i am having problems.

i used my office machine to download it the first time... but when i went back home it was not working and it kept saying "we have some missing components and wait till we download it." kept showing the same message through saturday and sunday. and my internet is not that slow!

today i am back to work and now the download is missing from my office comp. infact when i attempted to download it again i am being told to purchase it again!! HELP!
i have wriitten to mails to them. and hoping that it gets fixed soon!

**ApK** · Aug-24-2009, 12:59pm

Sounds like a great thing. More evidence that the idea buying physical media to get its content is not long for this world!

I must have missed the news...is there a link to this service somewhere handy?

And is there a sample download of some kind to ensure everything works?

ApK

**Rob Gerety** · Aug-24-2009, 3:38pm

Go to the cafe homepage - there is a process set up there I believe.

**Happy Traum** · Aug-24-2009, 3:42pm

Originally Posted by diptanshu

i was very excited about it and even downloaded and watched some stuff on friday. but now i am having problems.

i used my office machine to download it the first time... but when i went back home it was not working and it kept saying "we have some missing components and wait till we download it." kept showing the same message through saturday and sunday. and my internet is not that slow!

today i am back to work and now the download is missing from my office comp. infact when i attempted to download it again i am being told to purchase it again!! HELP!
i have wriitten to mails to them. and hoping that it gets fixed soon!

Hi,

Sorry for the inconvenience. We haven't had many problems with this software, but nothing's perfect for every computer. However, we'll do everything we can to make it right, and we guarantee that it'll work or we'll refund your money, so no worries there.

I haven't seen any emails from you but I'll check with my office (I'm currently on vacation) and the folks at Leaping Brain, the developers of the software, to see if they've gotten the message. I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon. They're excellent at customer service, as is the Homespun staff.

I'm sure we can get this sorted out very quickly. Thanks for letting us know about this.

Best regards,

Happy

Happy Traum
Homespun Tapes
www.homespun.com

**gfioravanti** · Aug-24-2009, 6:11pm

Lorenzo, I'm sorry for the trouble you were experiencing. Did you receive an error message? Please feel free to email me at grace@leapingbrain.com.

Originally Posted by Lorenzo LaRue

I downloaded the software (windows XP) and it crashed. Any suggestions. I would probably go for the Mike Marshall material when it comes out. Seems like a good idea.

**gfioravanti** · Aug-24-2009, 6:22pm

Hi Diptanshu,

Again, sorry for the trouble you were experiencing! We received and responded to your email today.

Please feel free to email me directly at grace@leapingbrain.com.

Thanks,
Grace

Originally Posted by diptanshu

i was very excited about it and even downloaded and watched some stuff on friday. but now i am having problems.

i used my office machine to download it the first time... but when i went back home it was not working and it kept saying "we have some missing components and wait till we download it." kept showing the same message through saturday and sunday. and my internet is not that slow!

today i am back to work and now the download is missing from my office comp. infact when i attempted to download it again i am being told to purchase it again!! HELP!
i have wriitten to mails to them. and hoping that it gets fixed soon!