FAQs for lessons

[Maria Anisimova]

Dear Geoff, forgive me for being a nuisance. But still I'd like to clarify a couple of things. After experimenting with various microphones I found a way to record my silent guitar directly with an audio mike, so no processing of audio signal is required. Of course the sound is not so great, as you can guess, but still... Do you think such recordings will qualify for on-line lessons? Or is the root of the problem a silent guitar per se? Not the way of recording? I promise it's the last time I am pestering you with this silent guitar issue. If it still is not an option I'll settle for being am observer.

[GeoffB]

Hi Matilda, the problem is in the way of producing and recording the sound, rather than the instrument. The sound needs to be produced acoustically, i.e. transmitted from the vibrating strings via airwaves alone. If you can get sufficient sound out of the unamplified strings of the silent guitar using an acoustic microphone which is external to the instrument, rather than being attached to or in contact with it, then that would be acceptable under the rules, though, as you say, the result may not be that great.

[Maria Anisimova]

Great! That gives me a chance. External mike not attached to the instrument, unamplified sound of the strings. So be it! Thank you, now I understand what problems I have to solve before I can apply for the course. I'll go on with my experiments and if I succeed, I apply.

[GeoffB]

OK, Matilda, good luck!

[Colin Bullock]

Great! That gives me a chance. External mike not attached to the instrument, unamplified sound of the strings. So be it! Thank you, now I understand what problems I have to solve before I can apply for the course. I'll go on with my experiments and if I succeed, I apply.

If you want to record a short section eg 20s and post it in Students' Corner I will listen and see what it's like.
Which level are you interested in?

[Maria Anisimova]

Thank you, Collin. You are being too kind to me. But I'll surely post my sample in the Students' Corner for your consideration as soon as I have finished experimenting. I guess, a couple more mikes and and a couple more days. And may be I am being too ambitious, but I am thinking of Level 5. I've completed Levels 3 and 4 as an observer actually.

[Nelson Lee]

Dear Admins and Mods,

I am wishing to finish D01, lessons 8, 9, 10. I completed D01, Lessons 1 to 7, and the final exam (D01).

I have recently uploaded lesson 8, and I am now ready to upload lessons 9 and 10, but I noticed that those sections in the lesson forum are locked. Is there any way for me to upload my recordings, so that I can get closure to D01 and feedback on my pieces? Also, I am considering repeating some of D01 lessons, especially the early ones because I believe I can play them better now.

My questions:

Will those locked lesson forum sections be made available soon for upload?

Should I just go on to D02 and forget about D01?

Thanks for the continual support and awesome lessons, Regards, Nelson.

[GeoffB]

Hi Nelson,

Last year's session is now closed, so you won't be able to post any more recordings from that year into those lesson threads. They will be reopened when the lessons next become due, (lessons 8, 9 and 10 will be reopened in April, May and June respectively next year), but that will be for students who are just starting now and following this year's course. If you wish to post your remaining recordings somewhere for comment, you could post them in Students' Corner. Apart from that it would probably be best to go on to D02 now, and maybe revise some D01 in your own time.

Geoff

[Stefan Prechtl]

Beginner's question, just to know how it works: In each lesson, in the first post I see "exam qualifying submissions" from people participating in the lessons. So I wonder how do I qualify? Will someone especially review my recordings and then decide if they qualify? Thank you!

[GeoffB]

These are the pieces listed by Mr Delcamp at the end of each lesson, after he says "I ask you first to work on all these exercises and pieces for one week and then to post your recordings on the forum for: ..."

They are called "exam qualifying submissions" because in order to sit the exam at the end of the year you must have posted the required recordings for at least 7 of the 10 lessons. Their content will not be assessed for the exam, they are just intended to get feedback from other students.

[Stefan Prechtl]

Hello Geoff, thanks for your explanation!

[Gil Travis]

Hi...

I'm sure I saw a lesson schedule somewhere but can't track it down ...can you point me in it's direction please,

I've just joined D01 so it would be nice to know exactly how far behind I am.

(As someone said, 'the sooner you get behind the longer you have to catch up')

Best wishes

[John Montes]

Hi...

I'm sure I saw a lesson schedule somewhere but can't track it down ...can you point me in it's direction please,

Hi Gil,

The first post by JFD in the Registration, conditions for participating in the lessons thread has a breakdown of when the lessons will be published each month. Just below that listing it also mentions when the exams take place.

Look for the string "The calendar in detail"

[Gil Travis]

Thank you...

[Victoria Ferrell]

This very specifically states that the lessons are free but and are directed to the isolated individual without access to a teacher. Can the teacher be in any style of guitar? I have an instructor who teaches guitar and several other instruments but it is not my perception that he teaches classical style. I believe he knows something about it, just simply does not teach that style specifically. What would you recommend in a case like this? Are these lessons for those without access to a classical guitar teacher or for individuals without access to any teacher?

I thank you for your time. I also want to voice my appreciation for the plethora of knowledge I gained access to when I registered at this site. What a gift!

Victoria