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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

Ear training icon

Ear training

Rhythm and Timing icon

Rhythm and Timing

Scales and Arpeggios icon

Scales and Arpeggios

Finger Placement and Scales icon

Finger Placement and Scales

Music theory icon

Music theory

keyLearning

Violin concept taught by Ben

Student learned 3 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.

Violin Tuning (Pegs vs. Fine Tuners)

Metronome for Slow Rhythms

Rhythm Triplets

Musical Notation (16th vs. 8th Notes)

Bow Perpendicularity

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Student learned 6 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.

Power Chord

Blues Scale

CAGED System

Root Note Importance

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Student learned 7 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

Accents in Bowing

A Major Scale (Groups of Three)

Rhythmic Variations (Twinkle Twinkle)

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Student learned 14 days 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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Student learned 15 days ago

Ben and Shawn dedicated their guitar lesson to applying the CAGED system across the fretboard, practicing scales and riffs in various positions and keys. Shawn successfully learned the "My Girl" riff using different CAGED shapes and began tackling the "Who Knows" riff with the pentatonic scale. Ben will send Shawn a tab for the "Who Knows" riff, and their next lesson is scheduled for September 18th.

CAGED System

Pentatonic Scale

Blues Scale

Fretboard Navigation

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Student learned 15 days ago

Ben and Troy's violin lesson centered on developing rhythm accuracy, utilizing a metronome, and practicing smooth string changes between the E and A strings. Troy focused on various rhythms and began working on left-hand finger placement for specific notes, using a tuner to ensure correct pitch. For their next lesson, Ben assigned Troy practice with rhythms, string switching, and continued work on the A and B notes.

Rhythm Verbalization

Bowing Perpendicularity

String Changing Mechanics

Left-Hand Finger Placement

Triplet Rhythm

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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 adults icon

Violin for adults

Violin for beginners icon

Violin for beginners

Violin for advanced icon

Violin for advanced

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

Pets are welcomed icon

Pets are welcomed

Weekend lessons icon

Weekend lessons

Mobile joining icon

Mobile joining

Record lessons icon

Record lessons

Free lesson slots

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