Making the Best of Skype Lessons?

the.ronin · Jul 23, 2015

I'm going to be giving a skype lesson a shot. Any tips on making the best of it? I've got a pretty good webcam (HD, with onboard stereo mic - I can also hook up my Zoom H4n if needed). My main concern is the latency. Just looking at the webcam test view, theres significant latency just clapping your hands.

Lakedog · Jul 23, 2015

I've used Facetime and it works fine. I personally think it's better than Skype, but you can use either. You can't play anything together, but certainly comes across fine to critique someone.

sukie · Jul 23, 2015

I've had Skype lessons for 5 years. I am still astounded by what he hears. He catches everything. (And I only use my laptop sound equipment.) Only a few times have I wished his hands could come through the screen and help me.

One thing I do is use Call Recorder (it's not free) to get audio and video of the lessons. That way I can always go back for review.

Have fun.

Brad Bordessa · Jul 23, 2015

I've found Skype to be more reliable with a greater overall picture quality. I'll usually take it over Facetime. I use both depending on the student. Facetime might have less latency.

A tool that most of my students don't take advantage of is the ability to record what we're doing. Use Quicktime to record the screen and audio so you can refer back to the lesson. Or take good notes.

Practice what you're given and I'm sure both of you will be happy with your progress.

the.ronin · Jul 23, 2015

Thanks for the advice guys. Great idea on recording.

mm stan · Jul 23, 2015

you can install a program to record Skype too....google it

fretie · Jul 23, 2015

Hippie Guy said:
Use Quicktime to record the screen and audio so you can refer back to the lesson. Or take good notes.

Brad, can you say more about how to use QuickTime to record the screen and audio? I'd like to record Skype lessons on my older Mac laptop but not sure how to best do it.

thanks,
Erin

Brad Bordessa · Jul 23, 2015

You just open Quicktime and go to file > new screen recording and then click the record button on the little window. I have no idea what QT this feature first appeared on. Hopefully your computer can do it. The most awkward thing is the audio which automatically picks up from your mic. So if you're Skyping with someone, you don't hear what goes directly into their mic, you hear what comes out of your speakers. There is a way to route sound directly from your audiocard into QT, but I never could figure it out and it would be nice to hear yourself in the lesson too.

If QT fails, there are lots of programs that will do the same thing.

fretie · Jul 23, 2015

Thanks so much for explaining that Brad. I'll give QT a try.

Making the Best of Skype Lessons?

the.ronin

Well-known member

Lakedog

Member

sukie

Aloha

Brad Bordessa

Well-known member

the.ronin

Well-known member

mm stan

Mystery Man

fretie

Well-known member

Brad Bordessa

Well-known member

fretie

Well-known member

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