Most people know what the typical music lesson experience is like. After teaching for 7 years in studios and music stores, I know all about it. At the very least, one can imagine what it’s like. You get in the car hoping to get there in time and realize you are low on gas. A parent has to load the van with a child or three. You get to the studio, sit and wait in the front room with many others while you wait on your teacher who is running a little late with his current lesson. You pass the time wishing some of these kids would sit still while reading a four month old issue of Time Magazine. After all is said and done, you have lost over an hour of time for a 30 minute lesson.
Why?
“Well, the kids really like it and it gives them something to do other than Guitar Hero.”
“I really want to learn how to play the guitar, but I can’t afford to pay someone to come to my house.”
“What? You got a better idea?”
Yeah. I do. Web cam guitar lessons. I’m not talking about buying prerecorded videos. Web cam lessons are live, one-on-one lessons just like the ones in the studio. Only instead of driving to a studio or store to take lessons from a teacher who doesn’t seem like he or she wants to be there in the first place, you are in your own home. You don’t have to pay the high price of the typical house call lesson and due to the lack of overhead, it’s cheaper than most studios and definitely cheaper than your average music school.
The best part about web cam guitar lessons is the convenience. Not only do you not have to drive to the lesson, the web cam lesson lends itself to a very flexible schedule. You see, when you buy music lessons from a school, you are not just paying for the lesson itself, you are paying for the block of time. You know the policy: If you miss a lesson, you still have to pay. Not so with the web cam lesson. You don’t pay for a block of time when you purchase a lesson. You pay 100% for the lesson. When you buy a lesson, it is yours to take whenever you want. Let’s say you buy a package of four lessons. You have the freedom to take the first lesson this week, then the second one 2 days from now, or two weeks from now. No more worrying about missed lessons. The scheduling is as simple as making a hair appointment or scheduling an eye exam (but it’s more fun).
If you are thinking about guitar lessons for yourself, your kid, or someone you know, the web cam lesson is worth a shot. Just because the teacher is not physically in the room doesn’t make it less effective. There is as much interaction as a “normal” guitar lesson. Using technology for music education is getting more and more popular. Taking advantage of it makes for a cheaper, more enjoyable experience.
Andrew Wilson (The Music Corner) – Professional guitar player and instructor. View video guitar tips, get information on web cam guitar lessons, and check out the blog.
