Interested in Skype harmonica lessons?

I teach over the Internet using Skype, a free program which allows us to see and hear each other, live, in real time, from any location in the world, using a webcam.

If you’d like to get started, please give me a call at (603) 762-9378 or email me through the Contact page.

How Skype Lessons Work
It’s just like an in-person lesson. I’m sitting in front of you, you’re sitting in front of me. You ask me questions, I answer. I play something for you on the harmonica, you listen, then play it on your harmonica. I give you feedback. There’s a slight time delay, which prevents us from playing simultaneously, but call-and-response works fine. You may want to have some scratch paper available to take notes by hand, and I’ll email you PDFs or text documents for songs and exercises, which you can either view on-screen during the lesson, or print out.

Using Jam Tracks
When I meet with students in person, I’ll often back them up on guitar so they can practice jamming. In a Skype harmonica lesson, the next best thing is to use Jam Tracks. I’ve recorded a number of instrumental guitar MP3s that provide accompaniment and make it easier for you to learn to play with other musicians, both during lessons and on your own. You can download the MP3s or stream them from this website.

Payment
I accept payment online via Paypal. You can either pay using your own Paypal account or a credit card. You don’t have to have a Paypal account yourself, that’s just how I process the transactions on my end. My rates for Skype harmonica lessons are $40 for an hour, $25 for a half-hour. Click here to purchase lessons.

Technical Requirements:

Computer + High-Speed Internet Access
I’m told that Skype works over dial-up, but it’s not great. You’ll get a smoother picture, better audio, and fewer dropped calls if your home Internet connection is high-speed.

Webcam
Most laptops and netbooks come equipped with webcams now, but if you don’t have one, they’re available at Staples, Wal-Mart, or online, starting around $30. Click here to browse some webcams.

Skype
Skype is free to download, install, and use. Just head over to the Skype website, click on “Get Skype,” choose your operating system (PC, Mac, or Linux), download and install it.

Once it’s installed, you’ll start it up, create an online login using your email account, test your webcam out, and you’re ready to go.

My Skype ID, by the way, is taddreis.

Headphones (optional)
Your webcam will pick up your voice, and you’ll be able to hear me through your computer speakers, but it can be helpful to wear headphones to hear more clearly. Earbuds or headphones used for normal music listening will work fine.

Harmonica
Oh yeah, having an instrument would be helpful, wouldn’t it? I recommend using a Hohner Special 20 in C.

Contact Me
(603) 762-9378
Send me an email.