Banjo Lessons

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.

–Create a Skype Account

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.

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

-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!

(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:

-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.

–  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.

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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Bradley Fish