Music lessons & instrument rentals

[ominousfairy.livejournal.com]

I want to finally learn how to play an instrument, either the cello or violin. Anyone have any suggestions for affordable lessons and/or instrument rentals? Thanks!

Comments

that's my val

[wolftone.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend Valerie Thompson as the best instructor ever. (http://www.valeriethompson.com/) She's the cellist for art-rock ensemble Fluttr Effect and Goli and has a strong jazz/blues/rock background. She welcomes adult learners.

If you're looking for a more traditional instructor, check out the Longy school.

Get rentals from Johnson Strings out in Newton. (http://www.johnsonstring.com/) Good service, quality instruments.

[upsidown.livejournal.com]

I would call up Berklee and other music schools and ask them about instructors. There's usually graduate students aplenty who are talented and good for teaching the basics.

Re: that's my val

[countlibras.livejournal.com]

I second Johnson Strings.

For cello teachers, I can recommend Rachel Arnold (Somerville area) or Nick Upton (Watertown area) - both are very nice and wonderful cellists who graduated from Longy. For an even cheaper option, I'd suggest finding someone who is the middle of studying at Longy but hasn't graduated yet. That's how I got started.

If you want violin lessons, I highly recommend Ann Miklich, if you can find her. I don't know what her rates are now because I haven't studied with her in years. But when I last spoke with her, she was teaching somewhere in Boston and she said that her rates were cheaper through the school. Nevermind, I think I found her - http://cmcb.org/about_us/upclose.php?fname=Ann&lname=Miklich

Violin and cello feel very different! If you end up not liking one, definitely try the other. :)

[zard.livejournal.com]

I've studied violin and Alexandar technique with Karen Oosterbaan for several years http://www.karenoosterbaan.com/home.html. I started playing as a kid, but had so many back and neck problems that I had to stop playing during college. She has really helped me correct many of those problems and my playing has improved dramatically.

I also study chamber music at the Winchester Community Music School.

I agree on Johnson Strings.

Community Music Center of Boston - pro and con

[wolftone.livejournal.com]

I started learning at CMCB. It's a good facility and they take some efforts to create ensembles so that learners can play together.

The south end is a bit of a pain to reach from here. It will mean an orange or silver line transfer. Forget finding parking.

You'll have trouble with continuity of instruction. I had 3 different teachers over 3 years there. All skilled, but it took some time each year to get to know one another.

Cheap, though, it isn't. The instructor only gets a tiny fraction of your course fee due to their high building/staff/equipment overhead.

(Oh, and playing duets with countlibras is a great reason to learn the cello. She's awesome.)

Re: Community Music Center of Boston - pro and con

[countlibras.livejournal.com]

Well, Ann is also available for teaching in her home (I doubt she's moved so she should still be in Somerville and therefore easier to find).

(If you're interested in jazz duets though, hit up wolftone. I have little knowledge and I suck at counting. He can attest to that. lol!)