experiences with internet lessons

[morgon]

Hi,

Where I live the only teachers I can find are either are primarily guitar teachers or mandoline teachers specializing in baroque music (which I like but would not particularly interested to play).

Now a third possibility seems to be taking lessons via Skype.

Does anyone have experiences with that kind of teaching?

Would it be suitable for a total beginner?

Many thanks!

[Loretta Callahan]

Yes and it was very, very positive. One recommendation: find a teacher who teaches mandolin; not someone who teaches fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin when you begin. Some multi instrument teachers don't understand the subtle techniques of the mandolin. Once you have your technique nailed, you can benefit from teachers of any instrument, imho. This video of Mike Marshall is arguably the "gold" standard of proper technique.

https://youtu.be/NmagoBQunZI

The reason I bring this is up is that bad mandolin technique can cause serious hand and wrist problems. There are some well known mandolin players out there who have such bad left hand (fret) technique, it hurts me to watch them. Then, I'd find a good mandolin teacher in the music genre you like: bluegrass, classical, Irish traditional, etc. There's a lot of good talent out there and Skype works really well.

[morgon]

Can I ask you how much you payed for your lessons (just a rough idea) and how many you took per week?

[tburcham]

Internet lessons are as good as the amount of time you put into them...just like person-to-person lessons.

[Nate Lee]

Hi Morgon,

If you choose the right instructor, lessons via Skype can be a great way to learn, even for a beginner. There was a thread discussing this subject recently that you might find helpful: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...nline-Learning!

[bigskygirl]

I have been Skyping for a couple years now with Emory Lester and find it a great way to connect with some great mandolin teachers in real time. We meet for one hour every couple weeks rescheduling as necessary - usually for one of us traveling - and go over items I have questions about or things he wants to convey during the lesson...much like lessons at the local music store. I find Skype is a very good medium...there are occasional glitches and such but overall it works.

Schedule a lesson with someone whose playing you admire and see how it goes and then go from there.

[Mark Wilson]

Can I ask you how much you payed for your lessons (just a rough idea) and how many you took per week?

$20-25 per 30 minute lesson for the two instructors I've used.

I had rather do an hour lesson every other week than 30 min once a week. Every other week is better if you have less time to practice - you don't want to show up once a week for a new lesson if you haven't had time to master some part of the last lesson

[Paul Brett]

I've been with Mike Marshal's Artist Works since January and have to sing it's praises. The prerecorded lessons are great but the video exchange works wonderfully. You can also look at all the past students videos and Mike response to each one. The library of video responses are the best resource I've ever found. My band mates have noticed a marked improvement in my playing since I started.

[Loretta Callahan]

Can I ask you how much you payed for your lessons (just a rough idea) and how many you took per week?

$40-50 per hour/$25-30 per half hour is what I have paid for lessons.

Here's another resource: Pegged Nation. They have 5 mandolin courses and the cost is $20/month per course: $10/month for each extra course. You can login whenever you want and there is typically a new lesson per course every month:

https://pegheadnation.com/string-school/

[UsuallyPickin]

Yes ..... don't be afraid to shop around. I can recommend two online mandolin teachers Sharon Gilchrist and Emery Lester. Both to tier players and instructors. Yes 1.00$ a minute is about average. Luck... R/