Online clawhammer banjo lessons?
I have been toying with the idea, for some time, of offering online clawhammer banjo lessons via video conferencing. I would like to try it out with someone to see whether it is technically practical to do it. So, if any beginner banjo players with a web-camera would like a free lesson getting started playing clawhammer, e-mail me and we can set up a time to do it. More experienced players may also find video conferencing, or instant messenging (see next paragraph), useful to exchange info. I have not tried video-conferencing with narrowband users (28-56K modem) and I do not know how well it would work. Broadband Internet access (cable modem, DSL or T1-3) would be best. For video conferencing, Netmeeting is pretty good and is freeware. With broadband Internet access, the screen can be enlarged to a size where it is possible to demonstrate banjo playing technique.
Yahoo Messenger now has a web-cam facility and it is an easy way of connecting, although the picture size is not large enough to demonstrate anything in terms of banjo lessons. But if anyone wants to discuss any banjo or musical matter, add me to your Yahoo Messenger "friends" list--my Yahoo ID is "drcce"--and instant message me. It is not necessary to have a web-cam to do this.