Adam Sweet: private lessons

Showing posts with label private lessons. Show all posts

Spring News

MANDOLIN GROUP CLASSES

The western MA contingent of Mandolin New England has started rehearsing in person again at my studio in Granby. We rehearse Wednesday nights at 7pm. We're always looking for people to join us on mandolin, mandola, mandocello or bass! Use the contact form on the sidebar to let me know if this is something you're interested in. We are currently working on Mozart's String Quartet No. 14 "Spring" for a 2022 concert, and the Bach Double for 2 mandolins and orchestra for a September 2021 concert.

PRIVATE (IN PERSON) LESSONS IN GRANBY

I am back teaching out of my studio in Granby, in person again! What a relief. I have lots of openings for mandolin and fiddle lessons. Visit my lessons page to learn more, or use the contact us form on the sidebar to contact me. Think about the days and times that work best for you. I'm currently free the following days:

Mondays 3-4pm
Tuesdays 4-7pm
Wednesdays 3-5pm
Thursdays 3-4pm
Fridays 3-5pm

WEDDING CEREMONY MUSIC

Unfortunately, my wedding duo band Celticado is no longer available for wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours. I am, however, still available on fiddle and mandolin for any and all of the tunes we performed together. You can contact me here, or @asocontact on Instagram to find out more about weddings. I put together a page with some recordings that you might find interesting relating to wedding music here.

Spring News

MANDOLIN GROUP CLASSES

PRIVATE (IN PERSON) LESSONS IN GRANBY

Mondays 3-4pm
Tuesdays 4-7pm
Wednesdays 3-5pm
Thursdays 3-4pm
Fridays 3-5pm

WEDDING CEREMONY MUSIC

Lessons and Group Classes Resume 7/9/19

Learning to play mandolin

If you have not yet signed up for an evening slot, I have the following still open:

Wednesday 6-7
Wednesday 8-9
Friday 5-6
Friday 7-8

I will NOT be teaching mornings UNTIL SEPTEMBER. If you previously had a morning class you must either choose one of the Friday slots, or wait until September to start up again.

Some Information about Group Classes:

You should be taking private lessons to participate in the groups. There is limited space, and I run the groups specifically so that my current/existing students can learn in a social environment. If you are not a current student, there may be an additional fee. Please ask!
The group classes are available only to adults and mature teenagers.
Private Lessons are $75 per 60 minutes.
Group rates are $20 per person if you are taking private lessons. If you attend two or more groups each week, the rate is $15 per person.

Taking Lessons At Sweet Music Studio

ASL & Sweet Music

There are several ways you can take private lessons:

In person at my studio in Granby: Private lessons in Granby are sixty (60) minutes per week for adults, and 30 minutes per week for children under 9. For children over 9 I offer a 40-45 minute lesson (depending on their readiness).
online using Google Hangouts: Online lessons are held through Google Hangouts (you will need a laptop with a webcam, or a separate webcam with a good microphone on your desktop computer).
or for an extra fee, in the comfort of your home or office.

NOTE: I wrote a blog recently about what private lessons are like. Read it here Read and understand my Policies before coming for your first class.

Mandolin New England / Classical Group Class

Beginning students will learn the basics: music theory and how to read music, how to count, meter and rhythm, keys and chords; how to hold the instrument and pick (or bow for violin players); how to practice scales, arpeggios and exercises; how to play basic melodies. At some point, usually within a few weeks, beginning students may be ready for more advanced material which will be assigned at that time.

Beginning students may be eligible for either the Music for Beginners' Group Class (Wednesdays at 7pm), or Fiddle is Fun, a group for people that want to learn how to play the fiddle together.

Advanced students that can already read and understand the basics of their instrument will study more advanced theory including the modes, advanced timing and rhythm, advanced chords, harmonization, improvisation, and will be introduced to a wide variety of music depending on the genre and style they have chosen to study. For example, Classical musicians will be exposed to a variety of composers from the Renaissance Era up to the Romantic Era and everything in between. Folk musicians will be exposed to a wide variety of western European traditional dance music styles including Celtic, Quebecois and Cape Breton music as well as American styles such as Bluegrass, Country, Western Swing, Jazz, Blues, and more.

Advanced students may be eligible for either the Classical Group Class (Tuesdays at 7pm), the Celtic Group (Thursdays 7-9pm) or the Bluegrass Group (Fridays 7-9pm). Some advanced players may want to play in all three. There is a $5 discount per class for students that wish to join more than one as long as they attend on a weekly basis. The discount does not apply for one-offs or trial periods.

Private Lessons: What are they like?

Depending on your musical background, what instrument you want to learn (I teach violin, viola, mandolin, mandola, mandocello and guitar) and what style(s) of music you want to concentrate on, I will formulate a lesson plan tailored specifically for you. I don't use the same books and materials for all of my students because everybody is different!

I like to get the introductions/interview part over in emails before the first lesson, so we can dive right into it when you get here. The things I need to know about you are

what is your musical background (if any)
can you read music
do you understand key signatures, time signatures, scales, arpeggios, chords, basic music theory
what instrument you want to learn
what style or styles of music you want to concentrate on
do you own an instrument or will you want to buy one or rent one from me

The 7 Church Modes

Depending on your answers, the first lesson could cover the basics of scale theory including intervals, modes, circle of fifths, basic reading and an introduction to the care of your instrument. Assignments will include buying the books you will need and some basic plucking of strings (mandolin), bow exercises (violin).

Playing music together

Subsequent lessons will delve more deeply into scale and mode theory, circle of fifths, practice tips, first tunes. As you improve, we will be able to learn more complicated tunes, I will determine what exercises you need to work on and give you lots more practice tips.

Depending on the amount of time you have to practice every day, the average learning curve for the violin is 3 - 10 years. 3 years before you can play competently with others and 10 years before you will be able to play with confidence and beauty. The learning curve for the mandolin is 1-3 years. 1 year before you can play with others, and 3 before you an join a mandolin orchestra or group.

Current Open/Available Lesson/Class Slots

I have the following open private lessons slots during the week:

Thursdays 8-9pm

Group Class Openings

Mandolin for beginners group class Wednesdays at 7,
Folk music group class Thursdays at 7

Enter to win a FREE A-STYLE MANDOLIN

Like our Facebook Page to enter to win a FREE A-STYLE MANDOLIN with padded case, chord book and free introduction lesson to get you started!

All you have to do to be eligible for the FREE MANDOLIN is register for either the Mandolin Group, the South Hadley Mandolin Orchestra, or private Mandolin Lessons (in person or online). Click here to register.

There will be a drawing from all of the entries at 7pm on Monday, January 6, 2014.

(sorry, only new students are eligible for the drawing)

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