The New York Times has an article today, With Enough Bandwidth, Many Join the Band, about the advent of music lessons via Skype.

Pros:

to the student:
- access to teachers of instruments, styles, or skills not available locally
- no driving
- ease of recording the lesson for later reference

to the teacher:
- no need to rent studio space
- access to more students
- no driving
- fewer missed lessons

My husband (in California) has been taking mandolin lessons from Don Julin in Michigan via Skype. He has been through a few local teachers and is continuing with one, but Don provides more emphasis on blues and jazz, and also has a great teaching style. The "local" teacher is 45 minutes to an hour away on a couple of freeways, so being able to have a lesson at home is great.

Cons:

- sound quality may not be great
- no physical contact possible (for adjusting posture, finger position, etc.)
- can't play with student in real time
- bandwidth/technology glitches
- annoying your neighbors (but, if you're practicing as you should, online lessons shouldn't make any difference!)
- no hugs

Don solves the playing together issue by sending mp3 tracks that Michael plays along with while Don listens. Then these are available for practice later. He also shares video files.

One commenter on the article (a piano teacher, I think) wrote: "Microsoft's Conference XP is better in that regard (CD quality audio, compressed video, open-source!), but you need a fast enough connection to deliver it. Cable modems are possible, but Internet2 is better." Another (who doesn't name their company/school, unfortunately) describes developing their own "internally developed software, with Adobe Media Server on the back end."

Certainly, this doesn't work for all instruments, and is best supplemented with some in-person guidance or feedback.

It's not for everyone, but sure is a great addition to the options, which also include standalone and sequential lessons on YouTube and other free online learning communities and forums (like this one!).

Other pros or cons to add? Your experience?

~ Becky in Long Beach