About L. Dalton Potter Expertise I have been involved in the violin trade for over 28 years. I am currently the President of The Potter Violin Company in Bethesda, MD. I can offer clients initial advice on the value, authenticity and quality of almost all bowed string instruments (violins, violas, cellos & basses) using good quality digital photos. I would decline to give final evaluations without examining instruments in person.
Experience Experience in Music Business: Charlie Byrd's Music House; 1977 - 1980
Senior violin technician: Violin House of Weaver; 1980 - 1996.
President: The Potter Violin Company; 1996 - Present
Organizations: Founding member;String Industry Council, Violin Society of America, American String Teachers Association, Guild of American Luthiers,
Suzuki Association of America, Publications; Journal of the American String Teacher's Association, American Suzuki Journal Education/Credentials;Berklee College of Music 1974 - 1977
Awards and Honors: Chester J. Patranek Award for Excellence in the Music Industry
Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award
(26 years of service - too many to list)
Expert: L. Dalton Potter Date: 5/5/2008 Subject: Violin lessons
Question Hi,
I'm currently 19 years old and I have a pretty strong musical background. I
can read music and I have been playing the piano for 13 years now, and I
have also been an active member of band and choral in my high school. I
have always wanted to learn to play the violin. It is one of the most beautiful
instruments I have ever heard, and I'm a bit discouraged that I could not start
earlier in my life, but today, and this very second, I have made a promise to
myself that I would start to learn the instrument. Could you point me in the
right direction? Thank you.
Answer Hello Andrew,
Obviously, your musical abilities are already developed by long years of study and practice at the piano. Do not be discouraged about your age; life is long and you have barely started. So many of us who started earlier than you will tell you (if they are being honest) that much of the time they spent as youngsters practicing music was mostly ineffective other than creating some physical familiarity with the instrument. As an adult, you are much more capable of focused and developmentally effective practice and study. I have a wonderful story that I love tell when people come into my shop:
A man came in the shop one day looking a little bit lost. He was very smartly groomed and, while he was dressed in leisure clothing, it was quite clear that he was accustomed to much more formal dress (the ironed crease in the bluejeans was a clue). He looked to be very trim and muscular physically, with a full head of white hair. Well, it is our custom to allow folks to sort of proceed at their own pace, so after he had wandered about for a while looking at the instruments, he turns to me and asks, "Do you think it's too late for an old guy like me to learn to play the Cello?" I inquired about his definition of old age and he replied that he had just finished his career as a Commander in the Navy and at 48 years old, he had just retired and was looking to rekindle a long-deferred childhood passion. I responded by asking if he could devote 30-45 minutes per day, every day for practice. He chuckled and said his wife had not yet consumed his new life with "projects" and "volunteer" work and that an hour a day was do-able. I offered our standard rental deal whereby he could rent an instrument and see if his commitment held up for a year and if at that point, he wanted to purchase a cello (not a rental one - a good one!) I would give him 100% of his rental payments in credit towards his cello purchase. If not, no harm done; he had he opportunity to give it a good try and the only thing he had to lose was an hour a day of playing music (what some of us wouldn't give for that?). Well, a year later he bought a cello from me, and five years later, he was offered a position in local orchestra. A few years later he became the Conductor of the Mount Vernon Chamber Orchestra (now renamed the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic http://www.wmpa.us/history.htm - his picture is right there on the front page) So Andrew, you tell me. Can you learn to play the violin starting at 19 years old, hmmm? Tell me where you live and I can recommend a couple of teachers and a local shop where you can rent or buy an instrument to get started. Of course you are welcome to use my shop (www.pottersviolins.com), but I try to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest while offering my services here on AllExperts.com
