Tamsin

Thanks for the welcome ubassman! Sorry, probably should've been clearer - its the same tutor via Skype and the lessons in London - we mostly do Skype lessons, as I'm not in London very much, but it's been helpful to have a couple of in person lessons when I can. I found a tutor through this site: http://www.thetutorpages.com/tutors/classical-double-bass-teachers/classical-double-bass-lessons/230 It lists ones who are able to do Skype lessons and gives a bit of info about each person. I picked the one who mentioned the most orchestral stuff (Vera Pereira) as that's mostly what I play. I emailed a couple of folk and Vera seemed the most helpful, then we did a trial lesson for free. I'd say its worked out pretty well, although I do feel sorry for her when she's listening through headphones - must be ghastly having all my dodgy intonation being beamed straight into your head!!

I have lessons via Skype because I live in the depths of northern Scotland. It works out well for me as travelling to a tutor would take ages. If I'm struggling with bow holds or whatever, I sometimes move the camera around so my tutor can see (must be a bit weird at her end I guess). I've had a couple of lessons in person as well when I've been passing through London and that's been useful too and has made the Skype lessons more effective. I think you just need to be a bit more patient with it as sometimes it takes a bit longer to explain what your question / problem is. The other thing I've found is that Skype can be quite slow in the evenings and is better in the mornings - I don't know why that is. So, I think the best way is to have one or two lessons in person if possible, so you can figure out what your major issues are, then use Skype. Tamsin