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Ben Lassiter

I help violinists learn to play improvised music! I also teach beginners the basics.

4.8(32)

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Profile photo of Ben, Violin tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Ben, Violin tutor at Wiingy
Violin learning materials by Ben
Violin learning materials by Ben
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Violin lessons - Ben Lassiter

Masters degree

/ 30 min

Ben - Violin teacher

I am Ben Lassiter, a music-loving violin tutor with a Master's Degree in jazz. My first instrument was guitar, (which I still play regularly) but now my focus is teaching violinists how to improvise and make up music on the spot, not just read it off the page! Are you a classical violinists who's always wanted to improvise? Let's work together! I specialize in helping students understand music theory and harmony through learning jazz repertoire. I teach students improvisation, ear training,, swing rhythm, sight-reading and more! Study with me and you will learn the necessary scales, arpeggios and 'jazz language' needed to sound convincing on your instrument. I love listening to outstanding violinists like Stéphane Grappelli and Didier Lockwood (check them out!). Each of my students gets a personalized lesson plan to help overcome their specific weaknesses and achieve their goals. Let's do this!

Meet Ben

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Lessons help with stage confidence

93% Students feel ready to perform for others

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Helps students prepare for orchestra auditions

Many students have earned seats in school and regional ensembles

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Real-time feedback from violin teacher

88% students say instant corrections improve accuracy

Violin lessons overview

No two people are exactly alike and therefore, no two teaching methods should be exactly alike. Through careful study of your strengths and weaknesses, I will develop a tailored learning plan to help you achieve your musical goals. If you are a complete beginner, we will spend time learning things such as bow hold, posture, etc. If you are a violinist who wants to branch out and 'play by ear' I can help you achieve this. Reading music is fundamental for the classical violinist, but not necessarily as important for the improvisor. In my lessons, I will teach you the necessary scales and arpeggios that make up the building blocks of improvisation. Often, classical violinists do not have to understand music theory to give an excellent performance. However, when it comes to improvisation, most classical violinists feel completely rudderless. I can help you overcome this situation and give you the skills and confidence necessary to play improvised music.

Expertise of the violin teacher

Finger Placement and Scales icon

Finger Placement and Scales

Music theory icon

Music theory

Scales and Arpeggios icon

Scales and Arpeggios

Rhythm and Timing icon

Rhythm and Timing

Ear training icon

Ear training

keyLearning

Violin concept taught by Ben

Student learned 14 days ago

In a recent violin lesson in Boca Raton, Ben guided Ryan through exercises focusing on scales, string switching, and intonation. Ryan practiced the A major scale, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" with triplet rhythms, and "Lightly Row," concentrating on challenging transitions. They agreed to schedule their next lesson for October 7 at 8:30 Eastern, and Ryan was assigned to continue practicing the exercises and pieces covered.

String Switching

A Major Scale (First Position)

Staccato vs. Legato

Bow Pressure & Pitch

Micro-Moment Practice

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Student learned 20 days ago

During their violin lesson, Ben and Uday concentrated on rhythm exercises and left-hand finger placement to achieve accurate intonation. Uday diligently practiced various rhythms with a metronome and utilized a Panotuner to refine his B note on the A string. Ben assigned practice exercises from page 22 (rhythm B) and encouraged Uday to explore the C sharp note in preparation for their upcoming lesson.

Note Separation

Pitch Adjustment (Left Hand)

Bow Strokes

Rhythm & Timing

Violin Posture

Violin Tuning

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Student learned 23 days ago

During a recent violin lesson, two students, one of whom attends John Muir Elementary School in Glendale, focused on violin tuning. They used pegs and fine tuners to correctly tune the A and E strings. One of the learners then practiced various rhythms (A, B, C, D, and E) on the A string, emphasizing accuracy and consistency with a metronome, and also learned to read the corresponding musical notation. Their next lesson is scheduled for the 11th.

Metronome for Slow Rhythms

Rhythm Triplets

Musical Notation (16th vs. 8th Notes)

Bow Perpendicularity

Violin Tuning (Pegs vs. Fine Tuners)

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Student learned 26 days ago

During a recent guitar lesson, the instructor reviewed guitar techniques, focusing on timing, picking, and CAGED shapes with a learner who resides in Alta Mesa. The learner practiced applying these concepts to a Hendrix riff and the Tom Petty song "Honeybee," working on fingering and transitions. For ongoing practice, the instructor assigned the CAGED shapes, emphasizing root notes and fingerings.

CAGED System

Root Note Importance

Blues Scale

Power Chord

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Student learned 27 days ago

Ben and Ryan's violin lesson centered on A major scales, fourth finger exercises, and rhythmic variations of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." Ryan dedicated time to improving intonation and smooth string transitions, particularly between the A and E strings. For his practice, Ryan was tasked with the "groups of three notes" scale exercise and advised to concentrate on the more challenging sections of the "Twinkle Twinkle" variations, employing a metronome to enhance rhythm and evenness.

Fourth Finger Technique

A Major Scale (Groups of Three)

Rhythmic Variations (Twinkle Twinkle)

Accents in Bowing

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Student learned about 1 month ago

Ben Lassiter guided the learner, who resides in Fossil Creek, through rhythm exercises and introduced left-hand finger placement on the violin. The learner practiced various rhythms with a metronome and worked on achieving accurate finger placement for B and C sharp notes on the A string, using Panotuner for feedback. They were encouraged to practice left-hand finger placement and bow control offline.

Rhythm Practice (Violin)

Violin Tuning with Panotuner

First Position Notes (Violin)

Left Hand Position (Violin)

Triplet Rhythms

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Types of violin lessons

Violin

Violin

Acoustic Violin

Acoustic Violin

Student Violin

Student Violin

Student types for violin lessons

Violin for advanced icon

Violin for advanced

Violin for beginners icon

Violin for beginners

Violin for adults icon

Violin for adults

Violin for kids icon

Violin for kids

Teaching tools used in vioin classes

Metronome Apps image

Metronome Apps

PDF Sheet Music Libraries image

PDF Sheet Music Libraries

Engaging violin lessons

Record lessons icon

Record lessons

Mobile joining icon

Mobile joining

Pets are welcomed icon

Pets are welcomed

Weekend lessons icon

Weekend lessons

Free lesson slots

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