Finally, please bring a notebook, tablet, etc.

This could be a smart phone, handheld digital or tape recorder, or for Skype violin and viola students, online software such as GarageBand or Call Recorder for Skype (Mac) which allows you to record both video and audio. Other helpful tools to have with you are a way to record your lesson (audio and/or video) for study over the week. The only pre-requisite is a willingness to try, daily time to practice set aside, and an instrument and bow. If you are a beginner, the path is relatively straightforward, though individual personalities, age groups, and learning styles keep me on my toes! We’ll start with posture, the violin hold and bow, and how to achieve a beautiful, resonant tone. Performance anxiety, even in a lesson, is common, and with many of my students, part of our work together involves practicing performance techniques to help us get more comfortable playing under pressure. Many students are nervous at their first lesson and are unable to play their best. If you have playing experience, expect to play a little for me - a scale, etude, excerpt, or tune that you feel fairly comfortable playing. If you’re not sure what you need or have more general goals, we’ll focus on the most obvious and achievable elements you need to build your technique, repertoire, and interpretation so you’ll be well equipped to take any direction you choose later on. If so, in our first lessons together we’ll formulate a plan for how to efficiently achieve your goal. Common topics that show up among students in my studio include Classical repertoire, improving technique or specific techniques like vibrato or bowing/tone, improvising, fiddle styles, interpretation, and recovery from pain, injury, or performance anxiety.

Some students have strong areas of interest. Even if this might feel like taking a step backwards sometimes, students who are open to the process quickly feel relief as we work through the issues and they realize how much easier playing really can be. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced, I always start with assessing technique and even for more advanced students there’s usually some “resetting” we need to do at first so we can avoid tension and tone issues. Whether you’re a beginner, have some experience, or have a lot of experience, we start lessons together with an inventory of your musical background, discuss your goals, and if you do have playing experience, we hear a bit of something you’ve been playing recently, the best way to help assess what our next steps might be.

Suzuki cello repertoire