Happy New Year! I can't believe this is my 1st. posting. I plan to be more active on this site this year.Playing banjo since 1969. I teach banjo for a living, (since 1973 ) play shows & recordings. Just learned how to post a video so, I have just posted one on Banjo Hangout of a tune, "Bells of St. Mary's" from the new cd "TWIN BANJOS" available at CD Baby.com by my friend, Terry Ferguson & I. We are trying to get it "out there" to the public. It's not on a major label, so any help would be appreciated. There are lots of fun jamming tunes done in twin banjo style, with new ideas. We hope you will like it.
I enjoy doing banjo workshops, solo shows & play with a Gypsy/Jazz, blues, bluegrass & originals band every Mon. night 11:30 pm -2:30 am locally in Memphis. Recently performed with The Delta Symphony Orchestra in Greenville, MS (I had to transpose Rhapsody in Blue) for my banjo part.Whew! I was honored & it turned out well.
I am experimenting with SKYPE banjo lessons. I love sharing with all players. "Welcome all new members"
11 Comments |
 | Banjophobic says:
1/5/2012 9:28:26 PM
Welcome abroad Randal and for being in the group! Ive been doing online lessons for over 5 years and its the future of lessons, I think.
Thanks for filling us in on the details of your 'banjo' life.
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 | randal morton says:
1/6/2012 6:31:30 AM
Thank you for the Welcome. Since you have been doing online lessons for 5 yrs., I have a question that you may can help me with the answer. I have noticed as I move my hand around to positions with the banjo (on camera), there seems to be a blur of delay. Is this common? I would like it to be more of a "realtime" view. I appreciate your help. Your friend, Randal
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 | banjo5don says:
1/6/2012 8:10:45 AM
Hey Randal!
Hello from south Mississippi! Welcome to the group!
Don
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| randal morton says:
1/6/2012 9:01:47 AM
Hi Don, Thank you very much! This is a great place to communicate with other working banjoist. If you are ever thru Memphis, let me know. Your friend, Randal
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| Banjophobic says:
1/6/2012 10:14:28 AM
Randal
There are a few things that can cause the 'blur', which is really called lag/delay. Your computer power has the most impact. To shoot live video and record it with no lag, means you need a powerful CPU, lots of RAM and usually a good graphics card. The camera setting can be altered from 30 frames per second to 15.
To have the frame rates at 30 and to capture no lag video means having that power I just mentioned.
If you are trying to do a Skype lesson in real time, then the connection is the most important thing to have, especially the upload speeds on both ends. Yes, the powerful computer heps some on Skype, but ultimately its more about having very good internet providers and connection speeds.
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| randal morton says:
1/8/2012 11:28:16 AM
Thank you for the experienced insite. I wish I were more with the tech. of the P.C. as you are. I will try experimenting with the frame rates. We have a new computer that is faster than the old one we had. I appologize for some of my questions.. what is CPU, RAM & a graphics card? Do I need to buy these things? Your friend, Randal
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| Banjophobic says:
1/11/2012 8:44:07 AM
CPU stands for "Central processing unit", whihc is your computers main 'brain'. The faster the CPU speed is, the better and more powerful your computer is. If you computer has, for example, a 2.4 GHZ "processor" (another name for the CPU), then it will generally not be as fast or agile as a 3.4 GHZ "processor" model.
SOme computers only have one 'brain'/CPU, while others have "Duo core" ( 2 CPU's) while others have "Quad Core (4 CPU's),etc.
The RAM is "Random Access Memory", which is basically a storage place for stuff your computer is using in real time, NOT what it stores for the long term. How many Gigabytes" is a term used to describe permanent /long term memory storage" on your computers 'hard drive".
So if you wanted to host videos, process videos and record HD videos on a computer, the more RAM you have, the better and the faster the CPU is , the better!
A "graphics" card is a separate circut board that you can install in your computer that is really adding another 'brain (CPU) that has only one job, which is to process video stuff. By having the graphic card, you reduce the workload on your main CPU.
The simple rule for computers is the faster the CPU is, or the more CPU's you have, the large the amount of RAM you have the BETTER for dealing with jobs that require much computer strength, like video stuff. A graphics card is 'icing on the cake' and if your computer is pretty powerful as is, you probably wont need one or the factory installed unit will be fine.
The main thing about SKYPE is that all ofm the stuff I just said will help your video quality, but it all will hinge on how good a connection you and the student have too. Anything below mid speed DSL will make the SKYPE experience poor or non-useable, in many instances.
No,are your ears bleeding from info overload..LOL?
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| randal morton says:
1/11/2012 9:27:27 AM
Thank you so much for you very helpful insight. That must be why you are the Admin. Owner! If it were banjo, I wouldn't be wearing you out with questions. Ha! It's great to have someone like you, a professional working banjoist, nice enough to take the time to explain the tech. side of the p.c. Your friend, Randal
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 | joemac says:
1/11/2012 12:15:41 PM
Hi Randal, welcome to the group, hope you enjoy being here......Joe
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| Banjophobic says:
1/11/2012 1:26:28 PM
You are welcome Randal. Im the group administrator because this group was my idea...that's the only reason-LOL! We are all equals here and trying to commiserate about making a living doing this music thing.
There are others here who know WAY more about the PC stuff than me. I'm just telling you what I've figured out along the way. If you need any more SKYPE help, feel free to buzz me at home sometime. My number here is 336-789-8370
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| randal morton says:
1/12/2012 5:39:04 PM
I Think this is a wonderful site & very happy that you had the idea to share with other working banjoist. I am very glad to be a member. Wish we had this sort of thing back in the early '70's. Your friend, Randal
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