Seminars via computer...a possibility

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 23 Jun 2008 6:36 am

Looks like a new door may be opening with SKYPE 4.0 BETA arriving. Not only the free download, free phone calls between members (international too), but now video ($20 camera needed = Wal-mart). Up to 100 folk at a time, and video = seminars, etc. for anyone ambitious enough to set it up. Sure would help those that can't get to the big shows for the instruction.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 23 Jun 2008 7:58 am

This is the future...now!

My wife has to update a certification on a yearly basis for her job (Shell Oil). It is accomplished using this method, with two way visual and vocal capabilities. She also tutors our son, who is working on his masters degree and stationed in Turkey with the military.
This process offer the guys giving steel instructions a chance to contact a whole new audience, especially if it was done in conjunction with one of the steel shows (anyone from St. Louis or Dallas listening?).

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 24 Jun 2008 7:16 pm

Ed-Sounds good to me. I hope the steel community will get involved in this worthwhile project.

BTW I have been in showLow , beautiful country,and through the Salt River Canyon on the way to Phoenix,(shortcut) But what a trip then in 1957...al.

:)

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 25 Jun 2008 1:40 am

Ed, as a Skype user, i find your idea quite interesting
check your mail

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 25 Jun 2008 5:48 am

Ahoy chaps...I think that the technology is at the point where a basic interactive seminar system could be rather easily set up.

It would be good if one or more of the known "teachers" would get on with it.

'Til then, we can play with it. If anyone wants to be in on the play, download SKYPE 4.0 BETA. Throw your name in the hat here, and we will see what happens.

You won't need a webcam to receive or talk. You won't need any $ out to participate/use Skype for Skype to Skype calls.

We have some SKYPE users on the Forum = Crowbear, Basil, etc. I think that they would guide us along.

Get SKYPE 4.0 BETA, and then add your name to the list here...we will see what happens.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 25 Jun 2008 6:55 am

I hope they would be better than some of our Corporate training classes over the NET !

The concept is rather good and should be explored.

If the hardware is in place,the lesson plan format is prepared well and executed ,this could be a rather interesting concept.

Sign up for the session, get the materials downloaded ahead of time..turn on the camera, change the 3rd string

and away we go !

heck, why not expand,
Scotty's LIVE over the net ...
Saluda LIVE over the net...
Dallas LIVE over the net

all we need to know now is..

How much ?

Ken Mizell · Post by **Ken Mizell** » 27 Jun 2008 7:29 pm

I've done Web seminars for work too. This would work great, especially 1 way as a spectator. Imagine what fun Mickey Adams could have doing a "Steel Webinar."

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 29 Jun 2008 6:06 am

Spent the week tinkering with the video phone ala SKYPE with a friend in FL...I'm in AZ.

This will work as an interactive teaching/show and tell tool. Switched to a Philips SPC1000NC camera to get a zoom range to allow the whole instrument to be on the screen (5:1 zoom)...could use a bit more.

There are a number of softwares for the web classroom and similar. The SKYPE will work fine for most of our purposes, and the price is right = free.

Some folk expressed an interest in "messing around" with it...if interested to join in, either email me, or leave your contact name here.

Charles Rodrigues · Post by **Charles Rodrigues** » 1 Jul 2008 5:17 pm

Ed,

Thanks for the help. It was good talking and seeing you via Skype. I have a few bugs to work out with the setup, but I'm encouraged that this is a good idea and can work as a remote educational facility.

Chuck

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 2 Jul 2008 5:52 am

Does this mean I don't have to find instruction locally?

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 3 Jul 2008 7:21 am

BK...not sure why it would mean that...use every/any source that you can get.

Lots of ways to use the SKYPE thingy = individual teaching, group teaching/lectures/seminar. Skype casting could be used for the shows, group jams, etc.

Computer screens and book pages can be shown on screen for show and tell/point and explain. I might do something like this for those that asked for the n"Laid out" series re E9, C6, E9/B6, Bb13 etc. as the sent info is not self evident to some of the newer pickers.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 3 Jul 2008 10:44 am

I'm all for it Ed, Great Idea..Just say when..

Skype :- "Basil Henriques" is my Skype name (webcam)
Messenger :- basilhenriques@hotmail.com (webcam)
Macintosh iChat :- basilhenriques@mac.com (webcam)
Yahoo Messenger :- basilhenriques2000 (webcam)

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 3 Jul 2008 11:39 am

I use Skype and Sightspeed for video lessons on my panflute.

Skype is a great option; however, I am having difficulty getting the concept of up to 100 persons on at the same time? I would gather this has to be a one way video broadcast with no interaction between the participants. I've done video conferencing on Skype with three people and the pictures are pretty small. You also need an up to date system to run video conferencing.

Also, a $20.00 webcam maybe a bit suspect in my mind. I have used the Logitech Pro 5000, Pro 9000 and now Logitech's UltraVison on Skype and Sightspeed and all are incredible improvements over my older Logitech Pro 4000. I have crystal clear video on my computer; however, the video quality at the receiving computer will only be as good as that computer's imaging capacity.

It is a great concept and possibility however.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 3 Jul 2008 12:30 pm

I have been doing Skype steel talk/lessons/show-me/etc etc for about a year now and all I can say is that I can endorse this invention 100%.
I have been chatting steel with buddies in Norway. They have played for me, demonstrated what this and that pedal/lever do. It is quite amazing how clear Skype really is.
Apart from the obvious musical benefits, like Ed mentioned, you can call computer to computer for free.

I would shy away from the beta version. The regular one is plenty good and it gives you updates.

$3.00 a month for long distance to phones in North America. I pay 2.1 cents a minute for computer to phone Canada-Norway. NOBODY can beat that..They have all tried with me, and failed

Don't cheap out on the head sets like Les said.
Get a good set of the Logitec ones, $50 and up. The ones that plug into your USB port.
Get Skype here: www.skype.com
My Skype handle is beroro and my Skype name is Ben

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 3 Jul 2008 2:47 pm

If you all think about connecting inter-continentally... why not making making a virtual stop "on" Hispaniola Island?

I yet need to buy a web cam thou... but here is my skype ID: (Les is right... this time

)
Feel free to PM me for my ID

... J-D.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 3 Jul 2008 3:10 pm

You guys who are posting your Skype ID on an open forum may want to consider the negative aspects of doing so.

You have no idea who is trying to get on your contact list or what you end up with once you do allow a contact. I got caught up in this with another forum and ended up having to change my contact ID.

I know all about this politically correct crap about saying anything about a minority group, however, I am not gay in any sense of the word but I must have had 20+ of these characters try to get on my contact list "and a few did fool me for a time".

If they can find your ID on Skype, they can also tag into your e-mail. Just a word of caution about giving out your personal contact info on an open forum.

Possibly, b0b could set up a hidden forum for those who want to share their private contact info.

Gary Cosden · Post by **Gary Cosden** » 3 Jul 2008 4:15 pm

Ed- I think that this is a great idea.

J D Sauser · Post by **J D Sauser** » 3 Jul 2008 4:15 pm

Les is right!
We should post here to PM each other.

... J-D.

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 3 Jul 2008 4:48 pm

All I have to do re SKYPE to get into your IDs is type your name, your email, or your Skype name into the REGISTER search...no place to hide these days.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 3 Jul 2008 11:49 pm

Les IS right of course, but just because I posted MY contact info don't think for one minutia that I'm gay, I may be happy but that's all..

ed packard · Post by **ed packard** » 6 Jul 2008 8:00 am

OK, so it looks like it can be done...what then to use it for.

The TAB folk will supply diagrams (TABs) of how other folk play a tune or licks.

Not many PSG and steel players play from Notation.

A number of proficient players SHOW you how they play things (excersices-tunes-licks) in Tab, and on Youtube etc.

Some folk either sell, or in some cases provide free programs that allow you to find chords (some common).

I sent out free, to all Forum folk that asked (hundreds of them), a collection of info gathered over the years, and capped off with neck layouts and chord location charts for E9, C6, E9/B6, Bb13 on Excel spreadsheets; these being the result of a rather extensive program that steps thru the many possibilities re activated change combinations.

Now that the FREE SKYPE contact exists, what are some good things for which it can be used?

1. Maybe to teach/show how to FIND the scales/chords/licks on a neck...as opposed to just showing where one or two are.

2. Maybe showing the way Notation/Tab/Midi notes are related.

3. Maybe to webcast local shows.

4. Maybe to show how to develop tab/notation arrangements from Fake Sheets.

5. Maybe to show chord construction, and chord useage (progressions)= music lessons.

6. You fill in this possibility....

It can be a tool of many uses, as the video camera can show computer screens, book pages, folk playing, etc...and the viewer does not need a camera...and interaction (two way)is part of the capability.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Seminars via computer...a possibility

Seminars via computer...a possibility

Let's give it a try

trial run

uses for Skype re PSG

gotcha

What to use it for?