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Hey people
I just bacame a premium member at Virgil's new look site and hey, I would say that it's well worth it!
I was hesitant to pay money to access certain features on the site. However, I payed for a month's subscription just to see how it goes and I have to say that I'm learning new stuff already. Got lots of cool exercises to work on!
Hurrah!
I also signed up. I LOVE VIRGIL'S SITE!!
Damn, it's sucha learning haven! [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2004 09:58 PM: Message edited by: quitou ]</font>
Well I look at it like this. How much would any of us pay for a one hour lesson with Virg or Weckl or Lang for that matter, probably in the $75.00 to $125.00 an hour range. You can get 2 FULL lessons for $12.00 a pop, you cannot beat that, plus consistently new concert, clinic and studio footage of Virgil and personal contact with Virgil concerning the lessons, still for the same amount. That is way more content then you will ever get on one dvd. Plus no dvd will be as personal as an authentic lesson. 5.5 hours of dvd footage half of that is most likely not lesson material. And I agree any one dvd get's old after awhile, even if it is an amazing dvd.
I am sure Lang's dvd will be Killer and you will be able to learn alot, but that does not take away from the fact that you are getting one heck of a deal at Virgil's site.
I will take $20.00 buck's a month compared to $100.00 a lesson.
Dig
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2004 09:59 PM: Message edited by: quitou ]</font>
well, check out exactly what you are getting, there's alot more than just lessons and video clips! (like kirk explained)
I signed up for a year, and am delighted! [img]smile.gif[/img] I think the different types of membership cater for every kind of Virgil fan, including a hardcore fan like me [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2004 09:59 PM: Message edited by: quitou ]</font>
How much is it anyway?
I am not sure but I think you get more than 10 minutes every 2 weeks. Maybe I am wrong but I have some instructional dvd's and they are good but lessons are still different the time spent explaining detail the angle's it is usually better than a dvd, but I could be wrong. Plus to have direct contact with Virg to discuss issues that come up that is very cool. Still for what a pop cost's me a day I can get lesson's that will last me a lifetime.
Dig
The cost per month really depends on how long your term is, but it ranges from $25/mo (monthly) to $16.70/mo, $200 at once (yearly).
I'm sure it won't appeal to everyone, and I don't think it's meant to please everyone - that's never possible. But for many people, it is a very reasonable price for some quality media and special access. To some it may be worth it, and for others it won't be - there's really no need to debate why one should or shouldn't do it.
I know that if Vinnie did something like this, I'd probably be willing to pay a lot more than just $25 a month for specially recorded lessons, vids of him playing, etc.
"Can I get Tall Decaf, please? Thanks."
"That will be $1.75, please."
How many cups of coffee do you buy a month?
If there's a drummer out there that says or does something, are they worth 12 cups of coffee to you?
Everyone has their own idea of worth. I have mine, not to mention the idea of personal support.
Do you think I bought a HOD tennis shirt for the fashion statement?! I bought it to support Steve and the site. It's not all about ME, ME, ME but think about what the site here has given you, or drummers like Vinnie or Steve or Dave, for that matter. Given the chance, are you saying you wouldn't support them - after all they're given us?!
There are benefits unseen from helping your friends.
[img]eek.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2004 04:31 PM: Message edited by: peter c ]</font>
"That will be $1.75, please."
..."Starbucks" is CHEAP where u r, peter [img]wink.gif[/img]
Bozzio: ZING [img]wink.gif[/img]
Peter: double ZING [img]tongue.gif[/img]
Fuse: ZING ZING ZING [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]
...I play a 20" "Zing" ride, 5.... [img]cool.gif[/img]
So solly, Flive meant SING SING SING.
I know, I know...you musta had the "Krupa Cough"....
Since this is a Virgil thread I guess I can lavish a little more praise on the Man. [img]wink.gif[/img] I was reading a Thomas Lang interview and he say's very openly without reservation that and I quote
"Virgil is the one drummer who at a specific point raised the standard for all other drummers
around the world, he showed us what was possible with total dedication to the art of drumming." end quote. Mighty big words especially from someone of Lang's Prowess.
Dig
Fuse,
I'd given up coffee. That's why I'm stuck
in the deflated past. You got my point.
[img]cool.gif[/img]
Reminds me of the Playboy Channel. Pay for PLEASURE
It's interesting that someone wrote "personally". That's what it's all about IMO. If you love Virgil's drumming and intersted in learning his "concepts" when it comes to technique(which by now I assume it's what most of the members are interested judging by the topics in the Master Class forum "Double Stroke Roll on hand", and what the Thomas Lang DVD is aiming for), then u should or shouldn't become a member. That's another point, most of this lessons u could probably get from another video, for example the double stroke roll thingy I got from watching Weckl's "How To Develop Technique" which ofcourse DOESN'T cover every single aspect of hand technique but still points it out.
It's not like we have any irani workers here who can't finance $150 a year(no offense). That's not out of reach for any of "us" I think. If you're still doubtfull about the membership then just get the 3 months option like Jimi suggested and that's it. [img]cool.gif[/img]
Sample Lesson
Performance Sample Highlights
Looks pretty good to me. [img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2004 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Bozzio ]</font>
does anyone know if you can download the master classes to your pc when you are a premium member?
I just about fell out of my chair when I saw the prices for premium membership. While it may be worth it, I'm disappointed that Virgil feels the need to charge his fans that kind of money. That said, I'm still considering joining (because it is Virgil we're talking about), and had two questions for those of you who already joined.
- Can download the files permanently to your computers (e.g. in WMV or MOV format)?
- Can you go back and get previous month's lessons if you join later?
Thanks for any info you have....
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 18, 2004 06:40 PM: Message edited by: mja61 ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do you think Virgil makes serious cash? I believe you're wrong if so. The work he does really does not bring in a lot of $$. Planet X isn't selling out large forums...geez, they had maybe 150 people at the opening night of the MoonBabies Tour at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood and the same on the closing night, w/maybe 30 people for the second set. That's just sad! CAB plays small venues like the Potato with about 100 people max. Where's he making all the cash? Planet X could try to write more commercially or listener friendly material. The title cut, "MoonBabies" came close. They need to tap into the RUSH/ Metalica crowd and ease into their own style if they want to sell CD's. If they want to stay in the cutting edge progressive rock/ fusion mainstream, there just ain't much $$ there. If I'm off base let me know.Quote:
Originally posted by mja61:
I just about fell out of my chair when I saw the prices for premium membership. While it may be worth it, I'm disappointed that Virgil feels the need to charge his fans that kind of money.
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ January 18, 2004 06:40 PM: Message edited by: mja61 ]</font></font>
I've discussed some buisness options with Virgil several times comprised of making performance & solo videos from his massive archives dating back to his days in Aussie to the present. This guy is a master and should get rewards for his dedication, skill, and focus. He's not 25 anymore...he's earned it bigtime. Nothing more disheartening to hear a successful craftsman just scraping by when some teen-pop dip stick or punk pro athlete throws millions away at the gambling table.
That said, I just heard last night ol' Sting STILL makes $150K on JUST the tune, "Every Breath You Take." That guy has so much cash he can start camp fires with $1000 bills...and he can go camping all year round!
I say, Support Your Fellow Drummer!
I'm a big believer in supporting your fellow drummer and I will continue to buy all of Virgil's discs, videos and DVD's I can find.
However, I'm not inclined at this point to spend money on a website. At the same time, I certainly don't think Virgil is "ripping off" anybody nor do I think others are foolish for wanting to be a member, regardless of their reasons.
I think for me, it just boils down to value. I'd rather spend the money on other products featuring Virgil. The question of whether you can "keep" downloaded content is a valid one IMO and I'd like to know the answer if anyone can provide it.
I have to admit, if Vinnie put out a similar site, I'd do it so I guess it's just about how big a fan you are as much as anything.
I wish him the best with it in any case. He really does deserve any and all success he gets.
By the way the video content is set up on the site, I see no problems with keeping the videos indefinitely. If they didn't want people to download them, they would make it streaming only. Sure, there are ways to get around that, but at least then they're making it known that they don't want people to have it stored on their own computers.
Yes you can download the lessons. Which by the contain very helpful info. My view is maybe two fold. I am a big fan and he Virgil is most definitely a Master drummer making HUGE contributions to the drumming and music world as a drummer and also a composer so I wish to support him like others(Vinnie, Dave etc.) for their wonderful contributions.And just on a technical/conceptual note, this Guy has been and continues to push the drumming bar big time and he has MUCH to offer to drummers who want to learn I being one of them.
Derek is right, guy's are part of boards for different reasons, there is no doubt that Virgil inspires many drummers to take their drumming to a whole new level not just technically or conceptually but also in the area's of dedication and discipline. Their are some very serious drummers who are signed up because THEY want to learn and be inspired to a greater level. Just read Beats story to see how Virg has impacted certain guy's even guy's who are already pretty darn proficient(hearken back to the Thomas Lang statement about Virg). And Pocket is right this guy by know means is Rich he work's his Butt!! off to do and to contribute what he does, so really it is not much money to me, again considering what top flight lessons cost. I imagine Virg makes a little from royalties from his contributions to some very popular Aussie artists but again it is not like he is getting rich from it. Not much else to say Pocket and Derek said it very well.
Dig
I admit that when the Virg site was first relaunched I was completely bashing it, and the cost for the premium membership....I have since signed up for the membership, and have nothing but good, make that great things to say about it....Virgil is a huge inspiration to me, and it took me a few days to wake up and realize what a bargain it is for the online lessons....you are taking lessons from a technical genius and a guy who continues to raise the bar....the guy is pure inspiration, and he is a living example of what hard work and true dedication can lead to....
Well said Quitou! [img]cool.gif[/img]
Dig
Well said, PP, DDF, quitou, & Dij.
It's just a matter of time 4 Virg...
...he should throw out as many discs as Weckl...
...we the musicians' fanbase [esp drummers!] will help support him if no1 else will.... [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 19, 2004 05:47 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>