Mandolin Lessons Online - does anybody learn that way currently?

**Adam Sweet** · Jul-01-2012, 5:35pm

I've been teaching online lessons for several years. Back before webcams, I would record a lesson for a student and mail them a cassette. They would record their progress and mail it back. I had students in Singapore, California and Winnepeg doing that. Spin forward another 15 years and I find myself using Skype, Google+ Hangouts and now Facebook's Airtime for giving lessons online.

How many folks are currently taking online lessons? What can you share with us about your experiences?

Thanks!

**Astro** · Jul-01-2012, 10:45pm

I just bought my first Mandolin. It is suppose to arrive in 2 days. I bought a used Eastman md305 after scouring these threads and soaking up info for weeks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it is set up well. I play guitar at an intermediate level. Campfire type strummer for lots of years. Some basic scales and most bar chords. I don't know that much theory though.

So anyway, I plan on learning the introductory Mando lessons on utube. I have downloaded some chord charts. We shall see how far that takes me. I think on line courses could be a good way to go. I have learned lots of guitar from utube lessons. I play in a guitar duo and looking to learn the closed chords that are moveable up and down the neck just to provide back up chop to some of our songs.

**Astro** · Jul-01-2012, 10:52pm

oops, how to delete ?

**FadeOutAgain** · Jul-01-2012, 10:53pm

I also have used YouTube for "lessons", although not interpersonal, they are effective.

**John Flynn** · Jul-01-2012, 11:19pm

I just started the mandolin track at the Academy of Bluegrass with Mike Marshall. I think it's a great concept. Mike has online lessons, probably about a hundred of them, along with guitar backing tracks and printable transcriptions. You work on each lesson (or just the ones you choose to work on), then you make a video of yourself playing the lesson for Mike, post it on the site and then he posts a video of his critique of your video.

I think it is a really great learning design. While there is probably no single element of it that has not been done before, AOB has pulled a lot of great elements into one package that all seems to integrate nicely. The result is that it's like getting personal lessons from Mike Marshall at a fraction of the cost than personal instruction from someone of his caliber probably goes for. I actually like it better than personal instruction, because it's broken down into discrete lessons I can work on at my own pace. I think that gives me clearer short-term objectives, which is always good when you're learning anything.

**blueron** · Jul-01-2012, 11:47pm

I haven't done any 'formal' learning using the Web, but I'm fortunate that my good friend Bert Deivert (a cafe member and top blues mandolin performer based in Sweden - check out his albums if you love mandolin blues) takes time out to occasionally coach me via Skype. The benefits from that level of one-on-one instruction are huge.

I have been encouraging Bert to prepare a course of blues mandolin lessons online and seek subscribers for them. He is not convinced that many people would be prepared to subscribe, even at a modest fee. I think otherwise, and would welcome the thoughts of others on this topic. I have personal experience of just how helpful his teachings are, and think that many others could derive similar benefits, and in their own time, rather than tied down to short Skype lessons - which are, of course, much more expensive as they require the teacher to devote private tutoring time to each student's every lesson.

ron

**KennyE** · Jul-02-2012, 7:10am

I've used several 'tube lessons to pick up some licks. I would have to say, for me, it's been an okay experience. Not quite like true hands on. But for a quick look-up for a particular key or phrase it's been a good resource. My biggest problem is I'm a slow learner and generally have to go back over and over to get much out of the online lessons.

But ... just rereading your post, you're talking about doing the one on one lessons live thru webcams, etc. Right? Huh, now that could be interesting. Might be worth checking into.

**bmac** · Jul-02-2012, 8:57am

I have found Bert Deivert's blues videos to be very informative... Perhaps He should do a series of lessons.... But I can certainly see his point. Anyway this is an interesting thread, to me. Although I have been playing blues mandolin for roughly 10 years I am sure there are problems with my self/taught technique which could be addressed in video lessons or at least a critique of my playing.

I guess from my standpoint I would like a critique of what i do now,,, Can my playing be improved, and how? What should I concentrate on technique-wise. So formal lessons would probably not be for me... but a professional critique, very much so.

**andre66** · Jul-02-2012, 12:16pm

I'm also a student at Mike Marshall's Academy of Bluegrass and i have to say it is an excellent formula for learning. Getting the feedback from Mike and being able to watch it again is very helpful in my development as a beginner.

**JimRichter** · Jul-02-2012, 4:47pm

I give online lessons. It is not pleasant unless both student and instructor have a really fast internet connection, good lighting, and a good camera. Otherwise, I spend more time focused on the hurdles to the lesson than the lesson itself.

Convenient way to give/receive lessons, but still prefer to have someone sitting across from me.

**ald** · Jul-03-2012, 7:12am

The package of lessons with feedback from tutor sounds a great idea. I've always been put off the thought of playing live to someone over the Internet but this sounds a great alternative, not that I fancy learning bluesgrass but blues à la Jim Richter, Marc Woodward, duo-style à la Evan Marshall........ would be grand with this option. One of my mandolin heroes should post a message to see how many people would be prepared to join a course (backed up with an actual payment) to see whether it would be worthwhile financially. The one snag, I suppose, would be catering for different levels. I, for example, wouldn't be interested in a beginner's course.

**Timmando** · Jul-03-2012, 7:44am

As a beginner I have found youtube to be helpful, as well as the rhythm tracks provided here http://flatpickapprentice.blogspot.com/ and also from mandolin videos purchased from Homespun and elsewhere. The videos are very useful because I can learn at my own pace, when I find the time to fit in learning a new lick or tune. I have looked at the Academy with Marshall, but have not yet committed to the cost. I have enough on my plate with videos, youtube, etc at this time. It sounds like something I may do in the future though. But I would like to take lessons from Darren in Balsam Range if I could, his playing is tasteful, has a great monroe sound at times, clean, great tone...all that I want to sound like...maybe I could convince him to do online lessons. http://www.darrennicholson.net/

**DougC** · Jul-03-2012, 7:47am

The great thing about online lessons is, as it has been said, your ability to repeat the video. I learn only so much each time whereas I would miss something in a face to face lesson. The best situation is to have a teacher who can correct your bad points right away and also have a recording to replay and review with him/her. Homespun videos are very good. I have three of them and I get something out of them every time I play them.

Also I'd rather fuss with my poor mandolin technique than my poor internet connection. So real time stuff like Skype is not my preference. However it must be exciting to talk with your mandolin hero.

**nanaimo** · Jul-03-2012, 12:38pm

I started my mandolin journey Feb 1 of this year. I was able to find a mandolin teacher in my hometown and started lessons right away. I, at the time, believed this was the only way to really learn. i never connected with my teacher and started to look for other options. I am presently taking Skype lessons from Don Julin and am finding the 1 hour lessons a great learning experience. It feels to me as if Don is in the room. I get great feedback and follow up support. Don is able to email me material immediately and I can retrieve it to use during the lesson and afterwards when I need to review it. I was not sure about online activities when I first started but I am now convinced that it can be a rewarding way to learn.

**Mo Soar** · Jul-04-2012, 9:40am

How well does Skype work for this, as far as video lag? I presume you have DSL/cable, what speed? I'd like to try personalized lessons, but am a bit worried about the slow, relatively high latency 1.5MB DSL I have.

**Mike Romkey** · Jul-05-2012, 5:00pm

I've taken webcam lessons off and on from Mike Compton for the past few years. He's a great teacher for Monroe style.

I subscribed to the Academy for a while and exchanged a couple of videos with Mike Marshall. He is also outstanding a puts a ton of effort into his part of things. He's a stickler for formal aspects -- mandolin height and angle, intonation, etc. I find it a little easier to meet "live" and be able to ask questions and get direction in real time. That said, though I let my subscription lapse, I'm thinking of going back.

Video works fine if you have a good connection. I used to have DSL, and that worked OK; now I have a cable modem and it works better. Have used Skype, the Apple vid chat thing, and Google video chat. They all work about the same. Seems like Skype is about the easiest to record.

**Jack Roberts** · Jul-05-2012, 5:15pm

Years ago, when it was still quite novel and required special software, I took some webcam lessons because there were no local teachers who would work with me on my irregular schedule, so I had to drive 40 miles for a lesson or use a webcam. it didn't work out well with DSL. Now I have a great teacher nearby who will give me a lesson whenever we are both in town (he is a touring musician), but when I am really pressed for time and I need help with something, I'll get a Skype lesson. I have about 20 Mbps upload and download now, which is about the right speed. If the 2 way video isn't fast enough, make the drive.

Nothing beats face to face. And lessons are money well spent. I only wish I had more time and more money for more lessons...

**Mo Soar** · Jul-05-2012, 5:35pm

Unfortunately, the "drive" part is about 200 miles, which is not really possible on a weekly or even particularly monthly schedule (add in the cost of the train and overnight lodging, and I'm looking at about $200 a lesson, which seems ... steep). The "next town over" is about 80 miles, and I haven't been able to find anyone there. Given the hiccups and skips in simple youtube and Go-To-Meeting webinars, I'm thinking Skype isn't going to work, either.

**paulinefiddle** · Jul-08-2012, 1:27am

https://sites.google.com/site/violinbyskype/I am a violin / fiddle teacher, and I teach in person and by Skype. My Skype students include people who live far away and people who usually come to my studio for lessons but occasionally need a Skype lesson as an alternative to the conventional one.

Skype teaching has several benefits. The student can save the videotape from each lesson. I can write comments on the IM part of Skype, and the student can save these, too. I videotape myself playing the piece a student is learning at two speeds: normal and slow. The slower speed helps the student learn the piece. My students can also use my videotapes to play a harmony, written or improvised. I encourage students to connect with me if they are hung up on one issue. Then I can give them a mini-lesson by Skype or videotape to get them past their hangup. I don't charge for these mini-lessons.

There are some technical issues, too. Both the student and the teacher need a webcam and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one. Each person may need to change the lighting or the place where you sit for a lesson. The student should be willing to move around as needed so that I can see what they're doing. The student must be comfortable with this style of teaching.

I have had good results so far, and I'm eager to do more teaching by Skype. You can learn more about me as a Skype teacher at https://sites.google.com/site/violinbyskype/