As the local geek I've been approached about the howtos of virtual

coaching. I hate to admit that I don't know anything about it. Help me

out there please. Does anyone have experience they could share, what

software they used, quality etc? How hard is it to setup? How real

does it feel to see your coach through a webcam? Is this the new world

order of coaching?



I assume that this is mostly being done with quartets or for personal

voice instruction. Interacting with a large chorus seems possible but

impractical.



I have to admit that the idea of hooking up with a coach anywhere in

the world seems intriguing? My  quartet chooses coaches that are in a

short driving distance because we can't afford big transportation

costs. That limits who we can choose. We tend to drive to the coaches

house which takes time.

Tom Metzger, bass of Realtime, has a great setup, Below is the text of his

message to the harmonet,Bill Byrd,

Norfolk VA

Owning The Stage introduces *Virtual Coaching*



- High level coaching just about anywhere, even if there are no high

level coaches where you live

- Save ALL the usual expenses - no travel, no lodging, no meals

- Get exactly as much coaching as you want

- Coaching available for groups at all levels, from brand new quartets to

International Champs



"Virtual Coaching" is a service offered only by Owning The

Stage<http://www.owningthestage.com/>.

We deliver effective, high-level coaching to quartets and individual

performers live and in "real time" over the Internet, using inexpensive

technology that you may already have. It's made painless and effective by

our unique remote coaching methodology. All you need to join the revolution

is a computer with a broadband connection, a web cam and a microphone.



We've coached many groups from all over the world through the Internet, and

it is proving time and time again to be the best way to deliver high-level

coaching to the people who need it at a fraction of the cost. Here's what

one recent client said, after a Virtual Coaching session over a distance of

more than 2,000 miles from the coaching center:



My biggest concern was the sound quality, and if that would impact the

> coaching. During the session, I was thinking how pleasant this was, and

was

> processing how we could use this a LOT more and get access to "high level"

> coaching in the comfort of our own home. I don't think we would have

gotten

> a noticeably higher level of coaching if you had been in the room with us.

>



Here are some of the things we can do for you:



- High level quartet coaching to get you to your next level

- Singing lessons

- Advanced musical interpretation

- Training for directors and musical and administrative leaders



This is just a sampling of the wide range of classes, coaching and meetings

we can facilitate through our system. If you have a particular topic or

type of coaching you would like to see addressed, we are happy to work with

you to make sure we personalize the session to meet your group's unique

needs.



As you can see, the dawn of virtual coaching over the Internet changes

everything. Suddenly geography is a non-issue, and the real cost of the

great coaching you've always wanted has come way down. Virtual Coaching is

just as effective as coaching in person, but it's so affordable you could

have a high level coach at every rehearsal. Now what would that do for your

quartet?



Getting started is easy. Just contact

us<http://www.owningthestage.com/contact>and set up a time.



We look forward to helping your group jump to the next level!



Tom and Kari Metzger and the growing Owning The Stage team



*P.S. We're quickly getting more requests than we can handle, so if you are

a capable and experienced coach and you want to get involved, we want you!

For more information about how to get on our coaching staff, contact

us<http://www.owningthestage.com/contact>

.*



*P.P.S. If you know performers who live outside of the barbershop hot beds

who might benefit from good coaching that they've been unable to get until

now, tell them about it - they will freak out.*



--

Tom Metzger (tom@... <tom%40metzgers.ca>)

Husband of Kari, Father of Ry and Ty

Bass, Realtime a cappella quartet -> http://www.realtimequartet.com

Blogging about performance -> http://www.owningthestage.com



"It's often not enough for one to simply be exposed to the truth, because

the brain will actually fight to defend its attachment to cherished

falsehoods."





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Bill,



I had actually seen Tom's post. To me as a relatively new

barbershopper (I just got my four year card) one of the cool things is

that the champions are actually part of the discussion.



I did check out Tom's website which is also a blog with a lot of

interesting free stuff about improving performance (that seems to be

what he coaches.) I've even posted a few comments. Unfortunately he

doesn't really say how he does the virtual coaching, at least not in

detail. In fact except for the blurb on the home page the site doesn't

much mention virtual coaching at all. It is more about performing well

in competition, dealing with stage fright, selling the song etc. I was

interested in user virtual coaching experiences and hopefully

software/hardware details. That's why I posted.



You said he has a great setup. Do you know this from personal

experience? Does this mean you have been coached by him this way?

Could you tell us what it was like?



I've used video conferencing software, admittedly a long time ago, and

the experience was shall we say regrettable. I was hoping that modern

software fixed the problems I remember.



Thanks,



Steve Morris



On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 3:28 PM, Bill Byrd <wlbyrd@...> wrote:

> Tom Metzger, bass of Realtime, has a great setup, Below is the text of his

> message to the harmonet,

>

> Bill Byrd,

> Norfolk VA

> Owning The Stage introduces *Virtual Coaching*

>

> - High level coaching just about anywhere, even if there are no high

> level coaches where you live

> - Save ALL the usual expenses - no travel, no lodging, no meals

> - Get exactly as much coaching as you want

> - Coaching available for groups at all levels, from brand new quartets to

> International Champs

>

> "Virtual Coaching" is a service offered only by Owning The

> Stage<http://www.owningthestage.com/>.

> We deliver effective, high-level coaching to quartets and individual

> performers live and in "real time" over the Internet, using inexpensive

> technology that you may already have. It's made painless and effective by

> our unique remote coaching methodology. All you need to join the revolution

> is a computer with a broadband connection, a web cam and a microphone.

>

> We've coached many groups from all over the world through the Internet, and

> it is proving time and time again to be the best way to deliver high-level

> coaching to the people who need it at a fraction of the cost. Here's what

> one recent client said, after a Virtual Coaching session over a distance of

> more than 2,000 miles from the coaching center:

>

> My biggest concern was the sound quality, and if that would impact the

>> coaching. During the session, I was thinking how pleasant this was, and

>> was

>> processing how we could use this a LOT more and get access to "high level"

>> coaching in the comfort of our own home. I don't think we would have

>> gotten

>> a noticeably higher level of coaching if you had been in the room with us.

>>

>

> Here are some of the things we can do for you:

>

> - High level quartet coaching to get you to your next level

> - Singing lessons

> - Advanced musical interpretation

> - Training for directors and musical and administrative leaders

>

> This is just a sampling of the wide range of classes, coaching and meetings

> we can facilitate through our system. If you have a particular topic or

> type of coaching you would like to see addressed, we are happy to work with

> you to make sure we personalize the session to meet your group's unique

> needs.

>

> As you can see, the dawn of virtual coaching over the Internet changes

> everything. Suddenly geography is a non-issue, and the real cost of the

> great coaching you've always wanted has come way down. Virtual Coaching is

> just as effective as coaching in person, but it's so affordable you could

> have a high level coach at every rehearsal. Now what would that do for your

> quartet?

>

> Getting started is easy. Just contact

> us<http://www.owningthestage.com/contact>and set up a time.

>

> We look forward to helping your group jump to the next level!

>

> Tom and Kari Metzger and the growing Owning The Stage team

>

> *P.S. We're quickly getting more requests than we can handle, so if you are

> a capable and experienced coach and you want to get involved, we want you!

> For more information about how to get on our coaching staff, contact

> us<http://www.owningthestage.com/contact>

> .*

>

> *P.P.S. If you know performers who live outside of the barbershop hot beds

> who might benefit from good coaching that they've been unable to get until

> now, tell them about it - they will freak out.*

>

> --

> Tom Metzger (tom@...)

> Husband of Kari, Father of Ry and Ty

> Bass, Realtime a cappella quartet -> http://www.realtimequartet.com

> Blogging about performance -> http://www.owningthestage.com

>

> "It's often not enough for one to simply be exposed to the truth, because

> the brain will actually fight to defend its attachment to cherished

> falsehoods."

>

>

>







--

Steve Morris

barbershopsteve@...

Bass: Boston Wailers

Bass: Sounds Of Concord

Motto: Old age and treachery will always prevail over youth and skill

Steve,







I have never tried it for virtual coaching, but  there is a free web

conferencing ulitity that may work for your purposes.







Try here:  http://www.dimdim.com







Essentially you can set up a live video and audio conference as long as both

parties have an internet connection.  Obviously the more bandwidth the

better, and the quality of the computer factors in a swell.







I would imagine that a coach would limitations in terms of "live" versus

"electronic" sound, but it may be worth a look?







Keith R







From: bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com] On

Behalf Of Steve Morris

Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:03 PM

To: bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com; bbshop@yahoogroups.com

Subject: [bbshoptech] Virtual coaching? Has anyone tried it?







As the local geek I've been approached about the howtos of virtual

coaching. I hate to admit that I don't know anything about it. Help me

out there please. Does anyone have experience they could share, what

software they used, quality etc? How hard is it to setup? How real

does it feel to see your coach through a webcam? Is this the new world

order of coaching?



I assume that this is mostly being done with quartets or for personal

voice instruction. Interacting with a large chorus seems possible but

impractical.



I have to admit that the idea of hooking up with a coach anywhere in

the world seems intriguing? My quartet chooses coaches that are in a

short driving distance because we can't afford big transportation

costs. That limits who we can choose. We tend to drive to the coaches

house which takes time.











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

G'day!



I sing baritone in a relatively new quartet in the San Francisco Bay

Area.  We're called Brewhouse <http://www.brewhousequartet.com/>  .



We recently did a coaching session with Tom Metzger from OwningTheStage

<http://owningthestage.com/>  .  We were physically in San Jose,

California and Tom was somewhere in Canada.



This essentially involved two computers (each with a webcam, microphone

and speakers), internet connections (local connections were WiFi, remote

were broadband), a quartet, a coach and 5 open minds.  From a software

perspective, both computers were runing Mac OS X and we used Skype for

the audio and video.



We could hear and see Tom very well.  The audio and video sync'd up fine

and there were really no issues there.  We recorded the session.



From Tom's side, he could hear and see the quartet quite well (the

bandwidth remained high enough for 85% or more of the session).  To give

you an idea of how rich the experience was, we talked about a wide

spectrum of elements  including message of the song, overtones, voice

matching, posture, breathing, synchronisation, intent and effect of the

song on the audience.



It was relatively easy to setup.  We had a "sound/video check" prior to

the session to make sure it was going to work and then we met up later

for the real deal.  It was bonza!



All in all, as long as you have relatively good up-to-date computers

with a broadband connection between the two, I think you could get quite

a lot out of these types of sessions.



Cheers,

Rob





--- In bbshop@yahoogroups.com, "Keith \(Gmail\)" <keithr386@...> wrote:

>

> Steve,

>

>

>

> I have never tried it for virtual coaching, but  there is a free web

> conferencing ulitity that may work for your purposes.

>

>

>

> Try here:  http://www.dimdim.com

>

>

>

> Essentially you can set up a live video and audio conference as long

as both

> parties have an internet connection.  Obviously the more bandwidth the

> better, and the quality of the computer factors in a swell.

>

>

>

> I would imagine that a coach would limitations in terms of "live"

versus

> "electronic" sound, but it may be worth a look?

>

>

>

> Keith R

>

>

>

> From: bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com [mailto:bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com]

On

> Behalf Of Steve Morris

> Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:03 PM

> To: bbshoptech@yahoogroups.com; bbshop@yahoogroups.com

> Subject: [bbshoptech] Virtual coaching? Has anyone tried it?

>

>

>

> As the local geek I've been approached about the howtos of virtual

> coaching. I hate to admit that I don't know anything about it. Help me

> out there please. Does anyone have experience they could share, what

> software they used, quality etc? How hard is it to setup? How real

> does it feel to see your coach through a webcam? Is this the new world

> order of coaching?

>

> I assume that this is mostly being done with quartets or for personal

> voice instruction. Interacting with a large chorus seems possible but

> impractical.

>

> I have to admit that the idea of hooking up with a coach anywhere in

> the world seems intriguing? My quartet chooses coaches that are in a

> short driving distance because we can't afford big transportation

> costs. That limits who we can choose. We tend to drive to the coaches

> house which takes time.

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tried virtual coaching? Yes.



A couple of people have video taped us and put us out on YouTube. So when the

invite came, I pointed those videos out. I got a very nice write-up on what was

there and suggestions on what to do about problem areas. None were really a

surprise. I don't know how things would work long-term. Biggest problem I have

is getting the guys to believe what I tell them and act on it.



I think the personal touch makes a difference. If you know the guy there in

front of you there right now is going to see you again in a couple of weeks or

so, you're more likely to do something about it. A not-so-good coach in person

is better than a virtual expert. But that is just my personal opinion. You can

take it for what it is worth ( or isn't ).

Sincerely, John W. Hosie III (301) 509 1089  O{///////]<*))))))><[|;^}0x> 7a.

Virtual coaching? Has anyone tried it?> Posted by: "Steve Morris"

barbershopsteve@... zencuke> Date: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:03 pm ((PST))> > As

the local geek I've been approached about the howtos of virtual> coaching. I

hate to admit that I don't know anything about it. Help me> out there please.

Does anyone have experience they could share, what> software they used, quality

etc? How hard is it to setup? How real> does it feel to see your coach through a

webcam? Is this the new world> order of coaching?> > I assume that this is

mostly being done with quartets or for personal> voice instruction. Interacting

with a large chorus seems possible but> impractical.> > I have to admit that the

idea of hooking up with a coach anywhere in> the world seems intriguing? My

quartet chooses coaches that are in a> short driving distance because we can't

afford big transportation> costs. That limits who we can choose. We tend to

drive to the coaches> house which takes time.> > > Messages in this topic (5)>

________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Proud to be a PC? Show the world. Download the “I’m a PC” Messenger themepack

now.

hthttp://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/119642558/direct/01/



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]