Park Ridge Strings
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EBINGER INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC


WEEKLY SCHEDULE (2015-2016 school year)
Mon-Fri: 1-on-1 Individual lessons, 8:00am-3:30 pm
Wed: Orchestra Rehearsal (Beginning Strings), 8-8:30am
Thu: Orchestra Rehearsal (Elementary Strings), 8-8:30am

STRING ORCHESTRA & 1-on-1 LESSONS

  • Ebinger Orchestra is open to any student in Grade 1 and up interested in learning to play VIOLIN, VIOLA, or CELLO
  • Orchestra participation includes ONE 30min. weekly individual lesson and ONE 30min. weekly group rehearsal, before school
  • Weekly String Orchestra rehearsals (Group Class) are scheduled on before school (see weekly schedule above)
  • pull-out Individual Lessons are 30 minutes weekly and are scheduled in consultation with the student's parents & classroom teacher.
  • instruction follows the Traditional European Method (students learn note reading, rhythm patterns, elements of music theory and history, style, etc.)
  • students must bring their instrument and music binder/book to all lessons and group classes. 
  • please ensure nails are trimmed.
  • all activities are subject to Ebinger's calendar, policies, rules and regulations
  • Ebinger Orchestra director and teacher is Mr. Pricope (bio)
  • lessons are year-round and continue during the summer at Mr. Pricope's Park Ridge studio (10 minutes from Ebinger).
  • Please read "What do I need to start" for strings, on this page.
  • Expected practice time: minimum 15 minutes daily
1-on-1 PIANO LESSONS
  • 1-on-1 Piano individual lessons (30 min. weekly) are available to students in Grade 1 and up, during the school day.
  • Piano students can sign up any time of the year.
  • instruction is in the Traditional European Method (students learn note reading, rhythm patterns, elements of music theory and history, style, etc.)
  • Mini-Lessons for Kindergartners: TWO 15-minute mini-lesson(s) every week – perfect for your budding Mini-Mozart!
  • we use popular materials from Alfred, Bastien, Thompson, Pace, Schaum, Palmer, "A Dozen a Day", Hal Leonard, and Faber.
  • students must bring their music binder to all lessons. 
  • please ensure nails are trimmed.
  • all activities are subject to Ebinger's calendar, policies, and regulations.
  • lessons are year-round and continue during the summer at Mr. Pricope's Park Ridge studio (10 minutes from Ebinger).
  • Please read "What do I need to start" for piano, on this page.
  • if you don't currently have a piano/keyboard at home: please check CraigsList or area garage sales and pawn shops for a keyboard (Yamaha, Casio, Roland, Korg, Kurzweil, Kawai, and Suzuki are reputable and reliable brands) with at least 49 keys. Beginners don't need anything too fancy (a $30-60 gently used keyboard is just fine to start with). CAUTION: please be careful that you don't buy a MIDI keyboard/controller!!! – these look like regular sound-producing keyboards but can only be used when connected to computers, as they don't play any sound by themselves – if you are unsure, please text me a link and I'll confirm... For the iPad I recommend Virtuoso (free piano app).
  • Expected practice time: minimum 15 minutes daily
1-on-1 GUITAR LESSONS
  • 1-on-1 Beginning Guitar individual lessons (30 min. weekly) are available to students age 6 and up, during the school day.
  • Guitar students can sign up any time of the year.
  • Most beginning guitar students need a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar to start with
  • Students learn to read music, scales, basic and "power" chords; strumming and picking.
  • students must bring their music binder and lesson book to all lessons. 
  • please ensure nails are trimmed.
  • all activities are subject to Ebinger's calendar, policies, and regulations.
  • lessons are year-round and continue during the summer at Mr. Pricope's Park Ridge studio (10 minutes from Ebinger).
  • Please read "What do I need to start" for guitar, on this page.
  • Expected practice time: minimum 15 minutes daily

VIDEOS

HAND EXERCISES
BOW EXERCISES
VIOLIN VIDEOS
1. Parts of the Violin
2. Holding the Violin
3. Holding the Bow
4. "Pizzicato" (plucking the strings with the right hand)
5. LH Finger Taps
6. LH Finger Taps with Pizzicato
7. "Pepperoni Pizza" Rhythm
8. "Run Pony" Rhythm
9. "Pony Run" Rhythm
10. "Syncopa" Rhythm
11. Changing Strings
12. Notes on the A String
13. Notes on the D String
14. Notes on the E String
15. Notes on the G String

OPEN STRINGS
Pepperoni Pizza; 4 bows; 2 bows; 1 bow

D SCALE
Pepperoni Pizza; 4 bows; 2 bows; 1 bow

SONGS
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (1st line)
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (complete)
Hot Cross Buns
French Folk Song #1
Mary Had A Little Lamb
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Jingle Bells
---------
French Folk Song #2: practice  performance
Can-Can: practice  performance
Ode to Joy: practice performance
Lightly Row: practice  performance
Go Tell Aunt Rhody: practice  performance
Long, Long Ago: practice  performance
Allegro: practice  performance
Perpetual Motion: practice  performance
Andantino: practice  performance
Allegretto: practice  performance
Étude: practice  performance

PIANO VIDEOS
General introduction
Posture and hand position  
High and low notes; middle C
Finding the notes; A-G
C Position (RH and LH)

1. Finding the notes in the Right Hand (RH)
2. Finding the notes in the Left Hand (LH)
3. Finger Drills Part A
RH: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
LH: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
TH: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4. Finger Drills Part B
5. 5-Note Major Finger Patterns
C  Db  D  Eb  E  F  F#  G  Ab  A  Bb  B
6. 5-Note Minor Finger Patterns
Cm  C#m  Dm  Ebm  Em  Fm  F#m  Gm  G#m  Am  Bbm  Bm7. 
1-Octave Scales and Arpeggios
C  G  D  A  E  B  F  Bb  Eb  Ab  Db
7. 2-Octave Scales and Arpeggios
C  G  D  A  E  B  F  Bb  Eb  Ab  Db
8. Junior Hanon
1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12

SONGS
My First Steps At the Piano: 1  2  3
Hot Cross Buns
Mary Had A Little Lamb
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Ode to Joy
Jingle Bells
more coming soon...

A DOZEN A DAY (Edna-Mae Burnam)
Preparatory Book
Group I: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group II: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11  12
Group III: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group IV: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group V: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12

Mini Book
Group I: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group II: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11  12
Group III: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group IV: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12
Group V: 1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12

    Sign up for Piano / Violin / Viola / Cello / Guitar 
    1-on-1 LESSONS & GROUP CLASS

Submit
Although due to growing demand we are almost full this year, please submit the form! We will contact you and attempt to schedule lessons as soon as possible. Thank you!

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TUITION
  • COST (strings): $25/weekly for 30min. individual lesson + 30min. morning Orchestra rehearsal + sheet music binder. Please read "What do I need to start" for strings, below.
  • COST (piano): $25/weekly for a 30min. individual lesson or two mini-lessons (Kindergarten only) + sheet music binder. There is no morning group class for piano. Please read "What do I need to start" for piano, below.
  • COST (guitar): $25/weekly for 30min. individual lesson (there is no morning group class for guitar) + sheet music binder. Please read "What do I need to start" for guitar, below.
  • tuition is payable directly to Mr. Pricope at the beginning of each month (checks payable to "Andrei Pricope", please)
  • there is a $5 late payment fee if monthly tuition is not paid at the first lesson of the month; the lesson time will be forfeited if tuition is not paid by the end of the month 
  • make-up lessons will be attempted for missed lessons due to tests or field trips; if make-ups are not workable, a lesson credit will be applied toward the next month's tuition; as with other activities, there is NO CREDIT/REFUND for missed lessons due to sickness, vacation, etc.

WHAT DO I NEED TO START (Violin / Viola / Cello)?
  • SIGN UP on this page (above, top right)
  • Rent an instrument - I highly recommend "Michael Becker Violins" of Park Ridge; 10 minutes from Ebinger; $23/month for violin or viola rental, $37/month for cello rental. 
  • Please avoid wasting everybody's time and money with instruments off eBay, etc. since they are barely playable at best. Likewise, renting from "Flatts and Sharpe" - their rental string instruments are hardly usable!
  • Rental instruments come with bow, case and rosin; inexpensive insurance covering damage and adjustments is included
  • Music stand for practice at home
  • Starter sheet music in a binder will be provided by Mr. Pricope and is included in your tuition
  • Metronome/tuner (recommended apps)
  • That's it! I'll confirm with you, then figure out a good lesson time with the classroom teacher, and we'll get started right away!

WHAT DO I NEED TO START (Piano)?
  • SIGN UP on this page (above, top right)
  • a piano or keyboard CraigsList
  • Starter sheet music in a binder also will be provided by Mr. Pricope and is included in your tuition.
  • Metronome/tuner (recommended apps)
  • That's it! I'll confirm with you, then figure out a good lesson time with the classroom teacher, and we'll get started right away!

WHAT DO I NEED TO START (Guitar)?
  • SIGN UP on this page (above, top right)
  • a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar (recommended) CraigsList
  • Music stand for practice at home
  • Metronome/tuner (recommended apps)
  • That's it! I'll confirm with you, then figure out a good lesson time with the classroom teacher, and we'll get started right away!

PERFORMANCES

- ALL Ebinger Music students perform in various school events and functions throughout the year, as well as in studio recitals and other performance opportunities 

CONTACT Mr. PRICOPE
  • 847.877.0846 (voice / text)
  • email

METHOD and CURRICULUM
- includes instrumental technique, graded repertoire, music theory and history, ear and rhythm training, sight-reading, ensemble playing and various performance and enrichment opportunities.
  • Instrument and bow parts; their basic care and maintenance
  • Correct posture and bow hold; relaxed and efficient use of the biomechanics
  • Hand and bow exercises (for control, flexibility and stamina)
  • Rhythmic patterns through games and rhymes, rhythm sheets
  • Note-reading, musical terms and symbols
  • Routines of ensemble playing and rehearsing
  • Performance etiquette (stance, bowing)
  • Fun songs to play for family and friends, or with friends, such as popular classics, folk tunes and nursery rhymes, children’s songs, movie themes, etc.
  • Videos to help the students learn better and faster, even between lessons; these videos serve as a reference companion to student’s home practice. Students must listen to the reference recordings of their songs regularly.

MAIN BENEFITS OF MUSIC STUDY
  • Self-discipline, self-expression, self-confidence
  • Psycho-physical coordination, interdependence, independence and fine motor control
  • Complex, multi-sensory integration (visual, verbal, aural, tactile)
  • Attention to detail, improved focus
  • Analytical and associative skills
  • Abstract reasoning
  • Forward planning, follow-through and perseverance
  • Physical and aural feedback evaluation
  • Creative solution-finding on the spot
  • Team-work and social skills
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Public performance and presentation skills

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR INSTRUMENT
  • Your music instrument is NOT a toy!
  • Wipe the instrument's body with a clean, soft cloth when you are finished playing. This helps prevent rosin buildup that may inhibit the instrument's resonance.
  • Don't put stickers or draw on the instrument.
  • Keep the instrument in a well-humidified room, if possible. Extremely dry air can cause the wood to crack.
  • Don't leave the instrument unattended in you car. It could be roasted, frozen or stolen.
  • Do not to touch the bow hair with you fingers.
  • Don't tighten the bow too much; your teacher will show you how tight it needs to be.
  • Loosen the bow hairs when you're not playing.
  • When using a soft cello or bass case, the bow comes out first and goes in last.
  • home
  • lessons
  • tuition
  • teacher
  • students
  • rentals
  • why music?
  • sign up