Sign-Up: Building Left-Hand Finger Independence and Flexibility with Bokyung Byun!

Hm , this new way of signing in via a form that is opened at a very specific time is difficult (maybe I am not the only one with this problem). Previously, the signing up was organised via a message in a thread. I missed the last intensive course that used a form, before that I participated in two intensive courses actively (even with sending in a video, as far as I remember I was the only one in that course). I fully understand, that using a form is easier for tonebase regarding managing the people who signed up etc. But I am not able to be online at exactly the time when the form is opened (and the course is fully booked within minutes, or within an hour). Maybe tonebase can think of rearrange the way of booking, for example a form (making data management easier for tonebase) but not that hard on a first-come-first-served basis, but maybe a kind of lottery or based on some other statistics regarding the members or whatever. I know, that there is no 100% fair or balanced way satisfying everybody. This is just meant as a constructive suggestion and food for thought.
I wish all participants much fun and success!

Robert I agree with Robert - this system of sign-up seems highly unsatisfactory. (It clearly disfavours those living in certain time zones, for one thing.) I think it’s a mistake to restrict entry in any manner. Why not accommodate everyone who wants to participate?

martin Thanks for your quick and positive reaction! I am happy about that, happy about the reflection. This is again showing how great this platform is!
I know the general problems of a course that is restricted w.r.t. number of participants for reasons of organisation or didactic or didactics or whatever. I am teaching at a university (not music... ;-) ) and I am faced with the problem, that I have between 200 and 300+ students who are interested in a specific course that I am teaching. In former times, I restricted it to 150 or 200 (handling 200 exams in a short time window is difficult...). Result: students signed in but never showed up. They blocked others. I got dozens of mails of blocked students. This was horrible for them and for me, too. The assignments were made automatically by software, I had nothing to do with it. Some went to court (succesfully) to get a place in the middle of a semester. The following year I raised the limit, but the general effect was the same. More interested people than places (and even seats in the room). And the system did not prefer people who got no place in the year before,, so there were many who had no place in 2 consecutive years while others got the place and did not show up. I tried to kick out those after 3 weeks, but this is also difficult then. Who should take those places?
Regarding tonebase courses: one might think of a request aiming at good will and community spirit: only those who are really willing to participate actively should sign up. Maybe not all know that the general stuff can be watched later (passive participation). And if one knows that (s)he has no or very limited time during the course (s)he should consider to not sign up (and in the last 2 weeks intensive course in which I participated, there was only very limited interaction by users (sending in a video, for example, as suggested or requested; this is no offense against my community friends here!), at least this was my observation and experience). BUT: I tried this in my above mentioned case. No effect. Too many students seem to be blind for this. They are either not aware of all the aspects or they are selfish. No offense. However, my clientele might be different from the clientele here. We all are interested in mastering our beloved instrument and share thoughts, videos, etc.
Uups, this was a long story now for a small message behind, sorry. I wanted to make clear that there might be no "optimal" solution for all, but I really like that you, Martin and the tonebase team, will think about a good way, even by doing "experiments".
I very much look forward to all things that are coming here. Tonebase is fantastic! Thanks to the tonebase team!

martin My only concern with a lottery is that if people who are willing to make the effort to visit the site at a certain time to sign up aren't willing to submit videos how likely are they to do it if they can enter a lottery at their leisure, lol? Participation was low and I saw one group last time had 2 people submit videos.

I'd make it clear that signing up means participation is expected and a lack of participation could mean not being selected in future drawings. It's on a smaller scale but it's the same as taking a spot in a master class and then showing up without a guitar and saying "I'd just like to observe." Not that people always read the not-so-fine print, but it might help keep seats being taken without getting the actual benefit from the initiative. 

No need to reply, just wanted to give my take.

martin Access to the videos should be given to all but the possibility to ask questions and submit videos should be limited.
We learn as much from reading feedback about ourselves as we do from feedback for others.
The exercises alone are extremely interesting (I only did the scales with Eduardo) and these exercises could be shared with everyone.
This is my opinion.
Have a nice day