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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.)

—

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!
—
-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
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