WEEKS 1–4
Feel at home with the cello.
Set up comfortably, explore open strings, find a steady pulse, and meet your first notes.
DURHAM, NC / CHILDREN & ADULTS
A gentle start
to learning cello.
For kids, adults, and anyone ready to try something new. Friendly, laid-back cello lessons that make getting started feel approachable. Learn step by step, ask questions, and build confidence at your own pace.
Book a lessonYou don't need any experience to begin.
Not sure which lesson to choose? Use the guide below
One-on-one lessonsAt my home or yoursBeginner-friendly
A SIMPLE FIRST STEP
Find a lesson
that fits.
A few questions about the learner, and we’ll suggest a lesson option that fits your goals, schedule, and setup.
Your answers stay on this page until you choose to share them. This is a recommendation, not a booking.
CELLO FOUNDATIONS · A 12-WEEK BEGINNER PATHWAY
From your first sounds
to your first songs.
A friendly plan for your first three months, built around weekly lessons and small steps between them. We'll revisit each foundation as needed, so the pace fits you.
WEEKS 5–8
Bring the notes together.
Build simple melodies, move between strings, and connect written notes to what you play.
WEEKS 9–12
Make a little music your own.
Choose one short beginner piece and work toward playing it from beginning to end.
WHAT WE'LL WORK TOWARD
Picture your first three months.
Our main goal: play one short beginner piece from start to finish at a comfortable tempo, using sheet music or finger cues if helpful. We'll choose a piece that fits your progress.
- Set up your cello and use a comfortable playing position.
- Develop a relaxed bow hold and steadier open-string sound.
- Follow basic notes and rhythms, with support as needed.
- Bring the phrases of one simple melody together into a complete piece.
- Know what to practice and how to work on a small challenge.
A closer look at your 12 weeks
- Weeks 1–2 · Settle in. Learn safe setup and relaxed positioning, pluck open strings, and copy simple rhythms.
- Weeks 3–4 · Meet the bow. Explore a comfortable bow hold, short open-string strokes, and keeping a simple pulse.
- Weeks 5–6 · Add a few notes. Introduce first-position notes, basic note reading, and short musical phrases.
- Weeks 7–8 · Choose your piece. Pick an achievable beginner melody together. Practice its phrases and any simple string changes it needs.
- Weeks 9–10 · Connect the sections. Join phrases, revisit tricky spots slowly, and practice continuing through the piece.
- Weeks 11–12 · Bring it together. Work toward a complete play-through at a comfortable tempo. Review progress and choose the next small goal.
For example, a simple arrangement of “Hot Cross Buns” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb” could be a starting choice. The piece, playing method, and amount of support depend on the learner. Additional tunes, scales, or expressive details can follow when the foundations feel comfortable.
A direction to grow in, at your pace. These are goals, not guaranteed results or a deadline to pass. The outline assumes 12 weekly lessons, roughly three months, with regular practice between them. Progress varies with age, starting point, lesson attendance, and practice; we'll repeat or adapt topics whenever helpful.
A suggested starting routine is 10–20 minutes of practice on most days, adjusted to the learner. Younger children may do better with shorter sessions and a parent's help. Lessons use the per-session prices below.
ROOM TO BEGIN
Small steps.
Music that feels like you.
Choose a lesson length that fits the learner. The beginner pathway can be adapted to each option, with time to review and build confidence along the way.
A gentle start
A shorter session to explore the basics, especially for younger beginners.
$30/ 30 minutes
Time to explore
A little more space for technique, questions, and making music.
$40/ 45 minutes
Room to go deeper
A longer session for learners who want more time to focus and play.
$50/ 60 minutes
Lessons at your home add $15 per visit. Any extra is agreed beforehand. Travel is usually limited to 30 minutes each way; a round trip over 30 minutes requires a lesson of at least 45 minutes.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE LESSONS
Hi, I'm Paul.
Let's make music.
Cello has been part of my life for 25 years. Now I'm opening that door for other people.
I'm new to teaching, and I'm starting with beginner lessons for children and adults here in Durham. My aim is a welcoming space to ask questions, learn the fundamentals, and enjoy the process.
Whether you're finding lessons for your child or trying an instrument for the first time yourself, you're welcome here. We'll keep things relaxed, take it one step at a time, and make room for questions along the way.
PaulLET'S TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Have a question?
Say hello.
Tell me a little about who's learning and what you'd like to try. We can talk through lessons, cello access, and a time that works.
For a child or teen, a parent or guardian should get in touch.
pdscello@gmail.com
407-716-3092
Lesson hours · Durham local time
Monday–Friday: 4:30–10 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
By appointment. We’ll confirm your lesson time together.
A FEW PRACTICAL THINGS
Good to know
before your first note.
Do I need my own cello?
For regular lessons and practice, you'll need access to an appropriately sized cello. Renting is often the easiest way to begin, especially for a growing child who may need a different size later. Have the rental shop help with sizing rather than choosing by age alone.
Before reserving: confirm the correct size, current price, instrument availability, included accessories, maintenance coverage, size-exchange policy, purchase credit, and cancellation terms directly with the shop.
Paul can help you think through the options, but the rental agreement is made directly with the shop. A loaner cello is not included or guaranteed.
Do I have to keep up with a fixed 12-week schedule?
No. Cello Foundations gives us a direction for roughly three months of weekly lessons. We can repeat, slow down, or adapt each foundation to the learner. There is no pass-or-fail deadline. The aim is steady progress and enjoyment; missed weeks may extend the timeline.
Where do lessons happen?
At my home or the student's home. At-home visits add $15 per visit, with any extra agreed beforehand. My usual travel limit is 30 minutes each way. If round-trip travel exceeds 30 minutes, the minimum lesson length is 45 minutes. Exact location and travel time need to be confirmed before booking.
When can I take lessons?
Weekdays from 4:30–10 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m.–7 p.m., by appointment. All times are local to Durham. These are general availability windows, not confirmed openings. We’ll agree on a time before your lesson is booked.
How do payments work?
Request a lesson online, then I’ll confirm it before it is booked. Payment is due at the lesson and can be made by cash, Venmo, or Cash App.
What if I need to cancel?
Please give at least 24 hours’ notice when possible. Late cancellations and missed lessons will be handled at my discretion. Repeated late cancellations or no-shows may result in a charge of the full lesson price.
How do I request a lesson?
Book a lesson online to choose a lesson length, location, and available time. Requests are reviewed before they are confirmed. You can also use the lesson finder or email, call, or text Paul directly if you would like help deciding first.