BagpipeLessons.com | Webcam Bagpipe Lessons | Learn the Pipes | Jori Chisholm | Learn the Bagpipes | Download Bagpipe Sheet Music | Find a Bagpipe Teacher | Pipe Band Seminars & Workshops | Seattle, Washington | Seattle Bagpiper | Learn the Bagpipes Online | Bagpipe Instruction | Online Bagpipe Lessons | Piper for Weddings, Funerals, Parties, Corporate Events, Performances | Interactive Internet Video Bagpipe Instruction

home / webcam lessons /

Webcam Lessons

The future has arrived! With the power of the internet, a webcam, and free easy-to-use video chat software, we now have the ability to have face-to-face piping lessons from the convenience of your home. This new technology has made it possible for anyone to receive top-notch piping instruction, no matter where you live. The best part is that you might already have everything you need to get started.

You will need:

a computer with internet connection
free video chat software
a webcam

I have been teaching webcam lessons since 2003, just as video chat first started to become widely available. I realized that there were many people who wouldn't have the ability to have piping lessons through traditional means, due to work and family schedule or geographic location. I have found the webcam lessons to be incredibly effective. They lessons work just like traditional lessons: we schedule a time, but instead of meeting at my teaching studio we meet online through a video chat. It's totally amazing! After a few minutes, you will feel like we are sitting across the table from each other.

More details...

Your Computer and Internet Connection

Any broadband internet connection will work great: cable, DSL, satellite, Clearwire, etc. All of these have enough speed to deliver and receive high-quality audio and video for your lesson. The only internet connection that won't work is old-fashioned dial-up. If you have dial-up, you can start with the Tune Lesson Downloads or Lessons by Tape -- until you upgrade your internet connection!

Getting the Free Video Chat Software

Skype is a free program that allows voice and video chat. It works like a telephone, but it includes voice and video. Instead of dialing a phone number, you call a person through their username. Best for PC users.

iChat is a program for Apple Mac included free with all new Macs. Like Skype, iChat allows users to chat with voice and video. Again, like Skype, with iChat you call someone by username rather than dialing a phone number. Best for Mac users.

You can download the chat software and get it installed even if you don't have a webcam yet. Once you get set up, send me an instant message, my username for Skype or iChat is bagpipelessons.

Choosing the Right Webcam

The Skype website says: "Most PC-compatible webcams should work with Skype, however some older models may not work." I've read some reviews online and people seem to be pretty happy with the Logitech 4000 Pro and Logitech QuickCam Fusion. I've had students that use a variety of Logitech webcams. For the audio part of the chat, you'll also need a microphone. Many webcams have a microphone built-in, but for you will need to get one separately.
For Mac users, you will want to get Apple's superb camera iSight -- the newer Macs now come with iSight built-in.