Cello Lessons Tarzana - Angeles Academy of Music

At Angeles Academy of Music, it’s our goal to provide the best quality private cello lessons near you. Central to Los Angeles in Westwood Village, we are easily accessible from Santa monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Century City, and Culver City.

1,213

Students/week

74

Instructors

3

Locations

Request information

Fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible!

Thanks so much! We’ve received your submission and your coupon is all set. Our friendly staff will contact you soon to answer any questions you may have.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

1,213

Students/week

74

Instructors

3

Locations

Musical Styles We Offer

Classical

Jazz

Pop

Mix

Cello

Classes For Kids

Our instructors love to work with total beginners, and know how to guide students through to an advanced level. Kids can enjoy recitals and masterclasses together.

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Cello

Classes For Adults

We have a large group of adult cello students that enjoy weekly lessons with us. One of the benefits of studying with us as an adult is our adult recitals where you get to share your playing with similar students at the same level.

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Month To Month Lessons

Choose between

30

Minutes

45

Minutes

60

Minutes

Call to enroll now!

Left Hand Position

To create the perfect hand position for the cello, start by making a C shape with your left hand. Next place this on the fingerboard, with your thumb on the neck of the cello, and with fingers perpendicular to the strings. The shoulder should be relaxed and flexible so that the weight of the arm aids in holding down the strings. If this is done properly, the thumb is not needed to press down the strings. Also, the left shoulder should “float” a winglike feeling of flexibility. There should be a strait line from the elbow through the wrist to the pinky for proper alignment. Once the position looks good, students begin to learn to tap and to shift. Tapping helps to strengthen the hands position, while shifting helps to keep the left hand flexible and mobile which will be necessary for more advanced playing. More advanced students will learn to perfect their hand position. Often the smallest adjustments can unlock huge improvements.

Bow Hand Position

To create the perfect hand position for the cello, start by making a C shape with your left hand. Next place this on the fingerboard, with your thumb on the neck of the cello, and with fingers perpendicular to the strings. The shoulder should be relaxed and flexible so that the weight of the arm aids in holding down the strings. If this is done properly, the thumb is not needed to press down the strings. Also, the left shoulder should “float” a winglike feeling of flexibility. There should be a strait line from the elbow through the wrist to the pinky for proper alignment. Once the position looks good, students begin to learn to tap and to shift. Tapping helps to strengthen the hands position, while shifting helps to keep the left hand flexible and mobile which will be necessary for more advanced playing. More advanced students will learn to perfect their hand position. Often the smallest adjustments can unlock huge improvements.

Sight Reading

Sight reading is an important skill for any aspiring musician. To begin, students are taught about treble and bass clefs, (different ranges), and to identify notes that are on the lines, and notes that are in the spaces between the lines. To remember the notes on the lines, students learn phrases such as, “every good boy does fine” The first letter of each word are the notes on the lines of the treble clef from bottom to top. E, G, B, D, F. The notes that are in the spaces between the lines spell the word “Face”, F, A, C, E. As students become faster at identifying these notes based on these simple phrases, the phrases wear off and they simply recognize the note for what it is. In addition to identifying notes, sight reading includes understanding rhythm. Rhythm is differentiated in notation by notes filled in or empty, and with different stems and beams. These indicate different speeds of notes. Even the most accomplished musicians can often improve their sight reading. More advanced training involves pushing speed and looking ahead, and through creating progressive goals.

Music Theory

Music theory teaches us how recognize and identify patterns across all music. It is fascinating because it starts to bring together a clearer understanding, and patterns once complex become simple. Imagine a complicated math equation that actually has a very simple answer. Learning theory involves a mixture of ear training, (the ability to identify harmonies and melodies), as well as identifying and labeling these patterns on paper. Harmony is seen in notation vertically, and is often what might be described as the background in which a melody is set. Harmony consists of chords, (3 or more notes heard simultaneously), and can be Major, Minor, Diminished, and several others. These differences in sound are often described emotionally; happy, sad, or scary. The beginning of music theory training might involve identifying the difference between a couple of these chords. Ultimately, advanced theory students are able to write out the music they hear, and to analyze harmonies and melodies in musical scores. A full grasp on the structure of music can take years to develop.

University Trained

Background Checked

Warm Personalities

Years of Experience

Student Recitals

useful information

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose the Cello?

Of all the instruments, cello is perhaps the most expressive. It’s range encompasses the human vocal range, and it could be argued, best represents humanity. Compared with other string instruments, it is probably the easiest to start. This is because it’s size and the way it is held is very natural. The rich versatility of the instrument is also appealing. It can be played in an ensemble, blends well with other strings, and then can be featured as a solo instrument. Because the strings are much bigger than the violin, the margin for error is less. This can make it more attractive in the early stages of learning. Finally, as the cello typically plays only one note at a time, music for the cello is written on a single line instead of two lines. This makes sight reading much easier than the piano.

When Should my Child Start Taking Cello Lessons?

Usually age 5 and up. The question is challenging to answer because it depends on so many factors. If there is a real genuine interest, how much practicing is done at home, and of course a natural affinity for the instrument or not. Young students should be gently encouraged to practice with an emphasis on keeping it fun.

How long does it take to learn to play the Cello?

There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn to play the cello. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term-basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable. The best results are found with consistent practice and performance goals.

Is it Too Late to Take Cello Lessons?

This is a question we frequently get from adults students. We believe that it’s never too late to learn anything, and feel that in fact adults have some advantages that can help them learn faster. For example, many adults have a more refined capacity understand the instrument intellectually, and typically a longer attention span. We encourage any adult students to just jump in, start learning, and enjoy.

Other Instrument Lessons We Offer at Tarzana

Our Tarzana Location

01

Newly renovated, state of the art facilities on the best streets

02

Access to grocery stores, high end shopping and cafes

03

Comfortable lobby for parents or students with amenities: water, coffee, tea, and wifi

04

Top quality Yamaha and Kawai pianos

05

iPads in every room stocked with the latest music education tools

Brentwood

11670 San Vicente Blvd #C 
Los Angeles CA 90049

Westwood Village

10921 Weyburn Ave 
Los Angeles CA 90024

Tarzana

18634 Ventura Blvd 
Tarzana CA 91356

Where To Find Us

18634 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356

FIVE STAR!! Angeles Music Academy is beyond awesome!!! The staff are so professional and welcoming. The music teachers are so great and I have witnessed my daughter’s fast development in piano and her interest in music growing big that she is starting to learn singing as well.

Mona Namin

My son has been enrolled at Angeles Academy of Music for 2 months and we love it here. He is 7.5 and is taking piano lessons for the first time with Tori. She's amazing with kids and he is having fun and learning so much. I love how they tailor what he learns to his interests. Definitely recommend for families looking to introduce their kids to the joy of a musical education.

Eva Vieyra Osmand

This is the most supportive environment I have ever found for music learning. The teachers and staff are really amazing and welcoming. The school has very high standards AND a very fun environment. I love this school.

Sandra Duran

FIVE STAR!! Angeles Music Academy is beyond awesome!!! The staff are so professional and welcoming. The music teachers are so great and I have witnessed my daughter’s fast development in piano and her interest in music growing big that she is starting to learn singing as well.

Mona Namin

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

This is some text inside of a div block.

Back to School. With Music. 50% OFF!

50% Off first 4 Lessons - Expires 1/31/2026 offer is for new students only.

Thanks so much! We’ve received your submission and your coupon is all set. Our friendly staff will contact you soon to answer any questions you may have.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

© Angeles Academy of Music All rights reserved 2024.