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| DON'S VIRTUAL BANJO LESSONS! |
| Technology keeps changing and I try to keep up with it the best way I can. I've thought about doing "virtual" banjo lessons for a while now. For a virtual banjo lesson to be viable I think that the student should have the feeling of being in the same room with the teacher. Just as if it was a regular "one on one" situation. It should also be available in other countries besides the USA because I have many students in England, Australia, Germany and some other countries. The student should be able to ask questions and get them answered immediately. If the teacher is in the process of demonstrating a certain passage or right or left hand technique than the student should be able to discern it in "real" time. By that I mean there should not be any kind of a delay in the picture that's presented. The technology that I've inspected up to now has not measured up to this criteria. The sound comes through just fine, but the picture doesn't. The lips don't move correctly to correspond with the spoken word. And, even worse, the same thing happens when either hand moves. You might just see a blur of some kind. That would not be very helpful to the student. When I checked out the latest ACN technology I noticed that they had overcome that drawback. What's involved here is a regular looking phone console with a seven by twelve screen that flips up and is adjustable. The console can be hooked up to your TV screen or your computer screen so that you end up with an almost life sized picture. It also is available in many countries around the world. The student and the teacher each have to have the video phone console. And, like Skype and other methods, there is no charge when both participants use the console. The ACN video phone is priced at about $230. The way I handle that is to charge the student the $230 up front. I will then credit the student for four one hour lessons at $50 an hour. That way you've only paid $30 for this incredible new technology. If you're ready to get started or have some questions, email me at: donvanpalta2005@yahoo.com or call me at: 520-232-3843 I've helped over a thousand students learn to play the plectrum banjo since 1974 and I'd be happy to help you with this new technology or with the DVD/booklet system that is featured on other pages of this website. I hope to hear from you! Best Wishes For Your Success Don Van Palta |
