Music
Lessons
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Rates and Registration
Studies have shown that it takes
at least 90 days to acquire a new habit. Therefore, the first
three months
may
be considered a trial period and I ask that you commit to
completing them. There will be no refunds. In the words
of a fine local musician and friend,
Kevin Collins:
"Commitment is the secret to
success."
Payment Information
- The tuition is $220 a month and is payable in full the first day of each month
- Some students prefer to set up a regular payment plan through PayPal.
- You can register by email or phone. Email adamrsweet@gmail.com, or phone (413) 351-2261
Policies and Philosophy
OUR
MUTUAL COMMITMENT: When you
sign up for lessons, you and I make a commitment to each other.
I am committing to be a good teacher and help you learn what you
want to learn efficiently, which involves getting to know your
specific goals and particular learning style. This includes
in-lesson time as well as time I put in outside the lesson to
learn tunes for you, and keep you informed of
opportunities to play and hear music. You are committing
to show up for the whole session of lessons and classes, to keep
your instrument in good repair, and to play the instrument in between
lessons.
MAKING PROGRESS:
It's up to you how much you play, but the more you do, the
better the experience is for both of us and the faster you'll
learn. For beginners especially, even a few minutes of practice
a day are more beneficial than cramming the day of your lesson.
At any level of skill, with an hour of careful practice several
times a week, you will make great progress. You will learn way
faster if you also listen to music a lot and attend
dances, festivals, concerts, and jam sessions. By all means get
a CD deck for your car and listen to CDs as you
drive. This is an aural tradition that can't be learned from
books or just from me. Make it part of your life.
LESSON TIMES: Lessons are 55 minutes. Five minutes at the end of each lesson are reserved for transition and business matters. Students are asked to arrive five minutes before their lesson and to knock at their lesson time.
ATTENDANCE:
You
are responsible for attending all of your lessons. All lessons
scheduled must be paid for whether or not the student attends.
I make my living teaching lessons, and must be paid for the
reserved time.
CANCELLATIONS:
Lessons will be made up if at least 24 hours notice
is given. In case of cancellation due to illness, snow day,
family emergency or teacher absence, make-up lessons will be
offered at a mutually convenient time. Lessons missed by choice
(i.e. after school games, extended vacations, tests, shopping,
parties, "I haven't practiced", "I forgot!", etc.) will not be
made up. If an instrument is being repaired, students may have a
lesson using a loaner. Please call me at
home (413) 351-2261, as far in advance as possible, if you can't
make your lesson. The last 2 weeks of the year (December 21-31) are make-up
weeks for students who have missed one or two lessons for any
reason. Unfortunately I am unable to make-up additional missed
lessons. However, if I am sick or have an emergency, I will make
up any lessons that I have missed.
Instruments and Accessories
Buying or renting an instrument: If you need an instrument, my advice is to rent one initially. Buying one is difficult and expensive (I'd estimate $1500 minimum for a decent violin, bow and case). We can talk more about it during your lesson if you like. To purchase a violin, try the places listed below. I am no expert at repair or appraisal but am happy to give my humble opinion on violins you are thinking of buying or restoring. Just bring them to your lesson and I'll try them out.
- Violins, violas, cellos: Johnson String - Newton, MA
- Guitars, mandolins: Downtown Sounds - Northampton, MA
- Bouzoukis, tenor banjos: Fretted Instrument Workshop - Amherst, MA
- JUZEK VIOLIN FOR SALE click here
Violin rentals, accessories, books, bow rehairs and instrument repairs:
- Rentals: I have some for rent here. Violins are $180 for six months with a $200 deposit (plus tax), violas are $240 for six months and mandolins are $300 for six months with a $350 deposit. (I don't carry a stock of these instruments, but can get one ready by your first lesson with 1 week's notice). A signed rental agreement is required, as well as a credit card number.
- Accessories: I have shoulder rests, rosin, bows and strings for sale here, so you can get that stuff from me. You'll find that a tailpiece with 4 fine tuners (ideally with the tuners built-in) is a god-send; less time fussing with pegs and more time playing with an instrument that is in perfect tune. You can now buy electronic tuners as cheap as $18. I recommend them highly! You can order them from my online music store and pay with your credit card through PayPal, or pay for them at your lesson
- Strings: I recommend Larsen at $65 a set (Music store prices tend to be double the catalog prices.) They have a warm, bodacious sound which works great with the kind of music I play.
- Tape Recorder is helpful in lessons and sessions, I recommend getting one from Best Buy in Hadley, or Walmart has some as well.
- Books: We'll start with 2: "You Can Teach Yourself Fiddling", and "Aerobics for Fiddlers" by Mel Bay. Other books include: A good general tune collection for musicians at any level is the Fiddler's Fakebook (Oak Pub.). It includes tunes from many American and Celtic styles. The Portland Collection by Susan Songer. Susan Conger's wonderful collection of local and New England contradance classics: Along The River. Bill Mathieson's two excellent waltz collections I & II (salmon & teal colored books). You can order them from Amazon.com or you can get them from me here.
- Bow rehair & repair: I rehair and repair bows part time. My rates are affordable. Visit my bow service page here for more information on how to get your bow rehaired and repaired.
- Musical Instrument repair: For bowed-string instruments, I do basic set up here, but for a professional set up for your violin or mandolin, I recommend a couple different places. If you don't mind a bit of a drive, I like Johnson String in Newton, MA. In my opinion they offer the best service for a reasonable fee. Other closer violin shops are over priced and not friendly to fiddlers in my opinion. If you want something closer, call my Dad, Roger Sweet 603-847-3463. His shop is in Sullivan, NH which is about an hour's drive from Springfield, MA. He does basic repairs to violins, violas, cellos and basses and his rates are reasonable. If he can't fix your instrument, he'll give you his honest opinion on where to take it or what to do about it. For fretted instruments, I recommend Downtown Sounds in Northampton, MA. I know the owner, Joe Blumenthal, quite well. I trust him and highly recommend his services.
What to bring to
your lesson
- Instrument, bow, rosin, extra strings, electronic tuner, shoulder rest or pad, cloth to clean rosin off violin and strings
- Staff paper notebook (small or large), notes and music from previous lessons. Repertoire list, kept up to date.
- Blank cassette tape for recording tunes to learn. Get your tape ready to record new tunes at each lesson to save time. Keep a running index.
- Written music or cds of music you want to learn.
- Return any cds, books or equipment you've borrowed.
Final Thoughts
I have been teaching for 24 years. I have taught people of all ages and all backgrounds. I love teaching and my students! I have been blessed to work with a group of very creative and passionate people in my life and it is this passion that I share with my students. I look forward to working with you! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call any time 413-351-2261 or email adamrsweet@gmail.com
See you soon!