nyokai-an shakuhachi dojo
"As an online teacher, Phil brings a depth of skill, knowledge, and attention to detail. He seems quite committed to improving my sound and playing - I like that. All in all, the process and the instruction have exceeded my expectations."
Don Boone
I offer private online shakuhachi lessons via Skype video software. This is an effective — and inexpensive — way to learn shakuhachi if you don't live near a teacher. Because it's such a convenient way for me to teach, I am willing to charge less than for in-person lessons, even though the quality of the teaching is identical.
All you need is a reasonably fast internet connection and a webcam. Most recent laptops have a webcam built in. The Skype software is free, setup is easy for both PCs and Macs, and it works from all over the world.
Online lessons are a great way to learn no matter what your previous experience. I have taught students at every level using this method, from total beginners in remote locations to seasoned masters who simply want a different perspective.
Here are the setup details:
- If you have a fairly recent laptop, you probably have a webcam and microphone built into your computer. If you're on a desktop that is not equipped with built-in webcam, you can buy a pretty good one for about $75. Or, you can use a regular digital video camera if you have one.
- You may need a microphone if your webcam or computer doesn't have a built-in one, or if the built-in one is not very good. You can buy an inexpensive mic that plugs into one of your computer's USB ports or into a mic/line in jack. If your computer doesn't have speakers, of course you'll need those (or a headset) so you can hear me during the lesson.
- You need Skype — go to www.skype.com, download the software, and install it in on your computer.
For more in-depth setup information, please go to the Tips section of this website and click the tip called Webcams for online lessons.
In order to make shakuhachi more affordable, I have reduced my rate for online lessons to $50 per hour, payable in advance. For ultimate convenience, you can pay by PayPal — simply send your payment to nyokai@nyokai.com. If you buy five lessons in advance (price $200), the cost drops to $40 per lesson!