Ben Lassiter
I help violinists learn to play improvised music! I also teach beginners the basics.
Loading...
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
Lessons help with stage confidence
93% Students feel ready to perform for others
Helps students prepare for orchestra auditions
Many students have earned seats in school and regional ensembles
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
Music theory
Ear training
Rhythm and Timing
Scales and Arpeggios
Violin concept taught by Ben
The student reviewed rhythms and bow techniques on the violin. The session included practicing rhythms on page 22, working on triplet rhythms with adjusted metronome settings, and adjusting bow placement for better sound quality. The student will continue practicing rhythms with left-hand techniques in the next session.
Rhythm Exercises and Counting
Repeat Symbols in Music
Bow Placement and Sound Quality
Introduction to Left-Hand Technique
Understanding Triplets
The Student practiced violin techniques, including finger placement, intonation, and rhythm exercises on the A and E strings. The Tutor introduced the concept of vibrato and discussed the value of vintage instruments. The Student was instructed to continue practicing the rhythms and notes learned, using a metronome to improve timing and developing their musical vocabulary.
Left Hand Finger Placement
Intonation and Reference Pitches
Rhythm A Exercise
Applying Rhythms to Notes
Bow Technique and Note Duration
Importance of Metronome
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
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
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.
Bow Perpendicularity
Musical Notation (16th vs. 8th Notes)
Rhythm Triplets
Metronome for Slow Rhythms
Violin Tuning (Pegs vs. Fine Tuners)
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
Types of violin lessons
Violin
Acoustic Violin
Student Violin
Student types for violin lessons
Violin for beginners
Violin for kids
Violin for advanced
Violin for adults
Teaching tools used in vioin classes
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Engaging violin lessons
Pets are welcomed
Record lessons
Weekend lessons
Mobile joining
Violin teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
