Glenn Weiser is the author of 10 books on fingerstyle guitar and harmonica, and has contributed instructional articles to Acoustic Guitar magazine and the folk music journal Sing Out!. A private music instructor with over 30 years of experience n the Albany, NY area , he is now offering  webcam lessons on Skype for acoustic and electric guitar, harmonica, 5-string and tenor banjo, mandolin, bass guitar, and fiddle. You can pay online with PayPal or major credit cards.        The styles Glenn teaches include fingerpicking, flatpicking, Celtic music, bluegrass, old-time, acoustic and electric blues, folk, rock, country, and classical guitar. See Glenn's current openings here.        The way webcam lessons work is that you and Glenn select a time and date for the lesson by email or phone. Next you provide payment online at least 24 hours in advance of the lesson. You and Glenn then log on to the video chat software (Skype is recommended), and then it's on to the lesson. Rates for webcam lessons are $25 per half-hour, $45 for 1 hour, $90 for 4 weekly half-hour lessons, and $160 for 4 weekly 1-hour lesson.        Email: banjoandguitar100@yahoo.com          Cell - (518) 496-4721

Getting Started with Skype-

1. If you're new to Skype the first thing you’ll need a webcam. I use a Gigaware 3.0MP #25-1142, made by Radio Shack, available here. For more options, see Webcams on Google. Some laptops have webcams built in.

2. If you’re studying acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle, you can use earphones or speakers to listen with, and  a desktop microphone to play through. If you are learning harmonica, try a webcam with a headset. For electric guitar or bass, use a desktop mic and  play with you amp close by. I use a Gigaware desktop USB mic # 33-124, made by Radio Shack, available here. For more options, see desktop microphones on Amazon.com.

3. Now download Skype. It’s free, and easy to use. Get Skype. Note: download the free version. Because webcam-to webcam Skype calls are free, you don't need a Skype account for online lessons. Skype accounts are only used for calling telephones with Skype, so don't create an account

4. You'll also need a high speed Internet connection such as DSL or cable (minimum requirements for video conferencing: upload 300 Kb, download 1 Mb). You can test your connection speed at Speedtest.net.

5. Useful accessories for lessons are a music stand, an electronic guitar tuner, (I like the Korg CA-1-instructions for using the tuner are here) and a metronome (the electronic ones are more accurate- the Matrix MR-500 is good one). If you are studying a stringed instrument, make sure you are in tune and up to pitch before your lesson.

6. You can pay online for lessons with most major credit cards, or PayPal.  Sign up for a free PayPal account here.

                                                                                  

          To pay online for one or more lessons with Paypal, select an option from the
drop-down menu, and then click on the Buy Now button.
 

Lesson Options

1 half-hour lesson $25.00 1 hour lesson $45.00 4 half-hour weekly lessons $90.00 4 1-hour weekly lessons $160.00

       

            Payment can also be made by sending a check or money order to: P.O. Box 11282, Portland, ME, 04104.