Strings 1 & 2

The Greeley Options strings program teaches the guitar family (ukulele, guitar, bass guitar), the violin family (violin, viola, cello) and the piano together by level, along with other instruments as needed. This fun, unique curriculum will introduce musicians to many different musical contexts and encourage exploration and collaboration of different instruments.

All students are expected to own or rent their own instrument and bring it to each class (except that pianists will play a keyboard we keep here). Rent-to-own arrangements are very common and affordable. Feel free to confer with Mr. Inglis for guidance. While Greeley Options does have a few instruments to support students who forget, we do not sell or rent instruments. Players should also own the following:

EVERYONE

• Case for instrument

• Tuner (not a smartphone app)

VIOLIN FAMILY

• Bow

• Rosin

• Violin & viola: shoulder rest

• Cello: rubber endpin stopper, or endpin anchor if tip of endpin is metal

GUITAR FAMILY

• Strap and a way to mount or tie it

• Ukulele: ukulele capo

• Guitar: guitar capo

• Bass or Electric Guitar: instrument cable, 12 feet or longer (never buy a 6-foot cable)

PIANO: no accessories needed

Beginning students are encouraged, but not required, to start on the ukulele or violin. Two recommended purchase options for ukuleles: cheaper with color choices or more durable.

Guitarists, bassists, and bowed string players must be sized by Mr. Inglis or another professional. (For our class, ukuleles do not need to be sized.) When in doubt, it is preferable to wait until Open House for sizing in order to get the right instrument. For guitarists, try this video to help: https://youtu.be/GAm0W5EWpL0 

IMAGE: "THE BANJO LESSON" - Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1893