Blog Archives - Bradley Fish

How To Get The MOST from Your ONLINE GUITAR & MUSIC LESSONS!

January 13, 2025by @dmin

This is for my online Guitar/Music Students to get the most out of your lessons.

Its also for any music teachers and music students who might find it helpful.

-I use Skype for most music lessons. It’s pretty simple and Free.

-New students Please:

– Download Skype

–Create a Skype Account

–Add me: bradleyfishmusic

-Send me your real name in a Skype Message.

–If you’re a Zoom person, or into recording/looping, please read, otherwise you can skip to Online Lesson Tips

Zoom lets you share audio, which is really cool. I’ve done remote mix sessions with audio engineers halfway across the world-Amazing. However, due to having more options, more audio problems tend to occur on Zoom in a live music lesson context, and Zoom is a bit more complicated to troubleshoot than Skype.

For music, I find that Zoom is best for experienced computer users, and mainly for students/users who own an audio (recording) interface and are learning music production/recording. Otherwise, for most music lessons, I prefer Skype for simplicity.

Zoom-ers: Please set up a meeting and invite me (Free USA Zoom accounts are limited to 40minutes).

Online Lesson Tips:

-Its ideal to use a desktop or laptop computer w/an ethernet cable.

-Big and multiple screens are awesome, too, especially if you’re into that already.

-Wi-Fi is less ideal than a physical connection, but usually will work ok.

-A tablet is bigger than a phone, so at least thats a little nicer to look at.

– If possible, please connect an ethernet cable (pic below) from your modem/router to your computer (or tablet w/an adapter) – instead of using WiFi. You’ll get the best quality connection/experience. They’re ~$6 and you probably have an ethernet cable in the closet. Go For It!

This is an Ethernet Cable – Use it!

(If you just have Wi-Fi, or just a phone, etc its ok for now, its OK – we’ll optimize over time.)

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Setup:

-Please test your webcam and audio/mic before the session – Go to the Skype Audio/Video Preferences for ‘Make a Free test call’ self-test. It’s quick, easy and helpful for a reality check on your audio.

-If you happen to own a recording audio interface (i.e. Focusrite 2i2) please use that w/a good mic. A USB Mic (i.e. Blue Yeti) is also a good option. Remember to select your audio interface or USB mic, and your camera in the Skype (Or Zoom, etc) preferences.

– I’ll call you at your lesson time. Sometimes sessions can run over a bit or I can get a visitor in the studio, etc. If I’m ever 5 minutes late, PLEASE call me. If I ever don’t answer on Skype, please call my cell @ 217-552-9407.

Things to have Handy (ideally):

– A Tablet or Phone w/Metronome / Beats:
-On Android: ‘Beatz’; On iOS: ‘Garageband’. Both have: ‘Pro Metronome’

– A Way to play YouTube on your side so I can hear it through your mic. (i.e. same mobile device)

– Pencil or Pen & Paper – Old School – or open a Document on your computer

–Picks, strap, amp, capo, TUNER, stand, sheet music/Tabs you want to learn, etc.

-List of questions/requests – please start w/ questions /requests at the beginning!

-Please Tune up beforehand if possible

-Have some water, etc – Be comfortable.

– Remember to Press Record on Skype/Zoom. I’ll use Multi-Cam and fretboard animations — and you can watch back later!

PC Troubleshooting:

I’ve had a few students who could speak to me just fine over Skype, but when they strummed their guitar on the same mic – Nothing – No Guitar Sound! They had Noise Cancellation turned off in Skype…We finally figured this out for PC settings. Turn Off Audio Enhancements. Btw, I’m a Mac guy – I can’t tell you anymore than this lol. Hope it helps!

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-Special Note: There’s times I may be world traveling while we’re working together online. If the power or internet ever goes out, or typhoons and hurricanes come rolling in, don’t worry, I’ve got your back! I’ll make that time up to you! It hasn’t happened yet, and when I travel I try to find Airbnbs in nice spots with fast internet.

Thanks! Looking Forward!!!!

Bradley Fish

Dulcimer Lessons

Dulcimer Chord Chart Mixolydian (D-A-D) Tuning – Full Color – Enjoy!

November 18, 2024by @dmin

Here it is! (Wow, this took a while!) ZOOM in to find the chords you need. There are multiple chord options that you can experiment with. (We might even add a few more later.) The fingerings are just suggestions – do what you find comfortable!

Btw, this is mainly intended for a standard dulcimer that has the 6 1/2 fret. (We may add some 1 1/2 fret options and even chromatic dulcimer later…) but you can try these on ANY dulcimer. (If you’re missing the 6 1/2 fret, just skip those). Baritone dulcimer chord chart coming soon!

Please share w/ friends!

I teach dulcimer online and in Madison, WI.

Download High resolution Dulcimer Chord Chart here.

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Here’s a playlist of dulcimer lesson (and some jamming) videos. I’ll fly Away” uses the new Animated Dulcimer Tabs/ Please let me know how you like the new format. Enjoy!

For Dulcimer (Guitar, uke, etc) lessons/classes hit me here:

New Student Form

Dulcimer Lessons

Aeolian (DAC) Tuning for Appalachian Dulcimer + a Song w/ a Video + Free Sheet Music to learn in ‘DAC’ tuning! :)

September 28, 2024by @dmin

Aeolian (DAC) Dulcimer Tuning

This is a cool tuning! It’s kinda dark. Tune (low sound to high sound) D-A-C to a tuner (the double strings are C). Or Tune the ‘bass’ string to D (or somewhere around a D if you’re playing alone/with compliant friends is ok), then press the 4th fret of that low string, and tune the open middle string to that, Then press the 6th fret of the bass string and tune the double strings to that.

This Free Lesson is in Aeloian Tuning. Free sheet music below!

I love this tune and its a great one to improvise on. A noter (little dowel rod) is optional – but a great addition on this one! Check it out!

Right Click –> Save As to download the sheet music!

Dulcimer Lessons

Beginner Dulcimer Lesson Old Joe Clark!

September 2, 2024by @dmin

Have Fun! I teach Mountain Dulcimer Online and in Madison, WI! (Group Classes are coming!!) Vid + Sheet Music Below. Finally nailed the animated fretboard and audio in this vid. Love your comments here or on Youtube!

R

Blog Dulcimer Lessons

3 Renaissance Dulcimer Lesson Videos w/ Fretboard Animations + Tabs!

August 17, 2024by @dmin

Hi! I hope you enjoy these tunes! My guitar professor, Fareed Haque let me do my classical requirement on the dulcimer, and I loved learning these.

Carrie Crompton, the arranger, was so kind as to let me share the Tablature for these pieces. I just added the sheet music, so you can scroll down for them and download them!

Right Click, Save to Download the Sheet Music for Free.

Dulcimer Lessons

The notes in Mixolydian (DAD) Tuning on an Appalachian Dulcimer!

August 17, 2024by @dmin

Hey! Here’s the notes in Mixolydian (DAD) Tuning on an Appalachian Dulcimer!

Here’s a whole playlist of dulcimer lesson + dulcimer jamming videos for ya, below.

Btw, I Teach Live Private Lessons on Skype/Zoom in this format w/real-time Fretboard Animations, Multi-Cam, Tabs – and You get a high quality Video recording. All levels/styles, virtually all plucked stringed instruments. https://bradleyfish.com/new-student-form/