Q1. Is Live Internet Based Music Teaching (IBMT) a good substitute to the traditional mode of teaching?
A1. Live teaching on the net [Live IBMT] has become possible because of the availability of advanced internet facilities. In this mode you can learn almost as you would have learnt sitting before a teacher [Guru] in a room in the traditional Indian mode. The only thing that will be missing is that your teacher [Guru] will not be able to touch you or you will not be able to touch your teacher [Guru]. Apart from this everything is almost as good.

Q2. Can I get additional support from the teacher apart from the weekly lessons?
A2. Yes, the individual problems are taken up separately. This is one to one teaching system and to take care of problems of the individuals are the TOP PRIORITY.

Q3. Can I ask for some specific type of lessons?
A3. The teachers usually assess the students’ performances and observe the improvement graph. The lessons are chosen on the specific requirements of the students. So, if a student requests for some specific type of lesson then the teacher will assess the students’ performance and decide if that lesson is appropriate for the student.

Q4. How long do I require to practice everyday?
A4. It all depends on the level of your performance. If you are a beginner then 30 minutes practicing per day should be enough. If you are an advanced student then you may have to practice more to really feel the touch.

Q5. Can I have the tips on playing at a high speed and with sweet sound?
A5. Sure, you will receive all the required tips for this.

Q6. How are the time-slots?
A6. As the teaching will be real-time the teachers from Kolkata [Calcutta] are available during 8:30 am to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. IST [Indian Standard Time +5:30 GMT]. Usual time allotment is around 1 hour for each lesson. But this is not rigid. One may opt for 30-minute slot too. Please click to know available time slots. Kindly quote two acceptable time-slots when you mail your request for time-slot allotment. The imparting of the lesson will be in the traditional style taking advantage of the digital technology on all possible areas.

Q7. What is the minimum required set-up?
A7. For live teaching you will require: · high speed [DSL/ADSL] internet connection with minimum 256 kbps. throughput speed. · A multimedia PC. · A web camera

Q8. What will happen in case of bad Internet situation?
A8. In the event of bad internet condition [e.g. fluctuating or low Internet speed making the exercise not possible] the lesson will be shifted to another time slot of mutual convenience of the teacher and the student and the matching availability of the free time-slot. This will be free of charge.

Q9. What are the fees?
A9. 1 hour slots (ideal for Indian Music Lessons)
For registration for the First Semester, the required payment is US $400 (Fees for 10 lessons @ $35 per lesson + $50 as a one time registration fee).
For following semesters the required payment is US $350 (@ $35 per lesson, for 10 lessons)

For 30 minute slots
For Registration for the First Semester the required payment is US $300 (Fees for 10 lessons @25 per lesson + $50 as a one time registration fees)
For following semesters the required payment is US $250 (@ $25 per lesson, for 10 lessons)

Off-line Indian Music Lessons may be made available on exceptional circumstances where the students declare non-availability of appropriate speed of Internet service at their end.

Fees for Off-line Indian Music Lessons:
For registration for the First semester, the required payment is US $250 (Fees for 10 lessons @ $20 per lesson + $50 as a one time registration fee).
For following semesters the required payment is US $200 (@ $20 per lesson, for 10 lessons)
--- Off-line lessons are conducted via email and sound file transfers.

A one time registration fee is charged to cover the instructor's time spent to study the student's personal information sheet, create a lesson plan, and arrange a lesson schedule.

*** Special Note:    Beginning tabla students will have a slightly modified fee structure.  The first 10 weeks of lessons will consist of weekly off-line video lessons, combined with bi-weekly, online assessments.  The fee for this system is $25 per week. After 10 weeks, the tabla student will enroll in the regular fee schedule.

Q10. What is the mode of payment of fees?
A10. Before sending any payment, you must send an email to us.  
We prefer that you send the payment through www.westernunion.com, but, if for some reason you want to avoid this payment system, you may write to us.  For a different mode of payment you may have to add US $10 with the payment.