Skype - Testimonials

We are very grateful to you Richard. Thank you!
Yasmine Yacoubi  - Cape Town South Africa

Juliet, notre fille âgée de 14 ans, a rencontré son professeur de violon, Richard Crabtree, durant le camp de Musique LMFL, l'été dernier.Très vite, Richard a su mettre Juliet très à l'aise. Assistant moi-même aux cours intensifs de ma fille, j'ai pu voir la métamorphose et surtout entendre l'évolution dans sa musique.Grace à Richard, Juliet a pris confiance dans ses capacités musicales et c est sans hésitation que nous avons opté apres ce camp pour des cours par skype avec lui.Nous résidons en Afrique du Sud et les leçons se passent très bien. Juliet progresse de façon impressionnante et plus qu un professeur, Richard est aujourd hui devenu son mentor. Il sait la stimuler, la faire travailler tout en maintenant un climat enjoué ! Merci beaucoup Richard !
Yasmine Yacoubi, Cape Town



I’m now in my third year of doing Skype lessons on the violin with Richard Crabtree.  I first met him as my violin teacher in the summer music camp organized by LMFL in France.  He is really inspirational! Richard has been singularly able to teach me the value of hard work. He really consistently makes me feel that the violin is my friend and that I can get better and better at it.  Fundamentally he too is always sympathetic, but at times when I need it he can be tough and demanding: he’s made me work a lot on posture and bow-hold, and it’s really paid off. He has his own “Crabbers” manuals and exercise guides that I base my study on.  The skype lessons actually help in many of the technical issues: we can take screenshots of bad and good finger and hand positions, and I can study those as a model in my practice sessions.  If I love my violin and love playing – and I think I’ve made some great progress – it’s because of Richard
Montagu James
Princeton, NJ, USA

Richard Crabtree is a devoted teacher who takes pride in developing his students potential. He possesses great knowledge in developing a refined technique and works systematically to achieve a high level of performance.
His teaching is adjusted to the individual's personality, needs and wishes.
Mr.Crabtree has a special ability to see the person as well as the musician, something that brings his teaching to a higher level. 
Skype lessons give flexibility and the possibility for regular lessons despite the geographical distance.
Guro Børkje - Violinist Norway
Professional Freelance 

I first went to an LMFL course in Bristol a few years ago, and my first teacher there was Mr Crabtree, and I found that he was an amazing teacher. When Mr Crabtree began giving Skype lessons I knew that this was perfect for me, since I live in Singapore during the year. Skype lessons have worked very well for me, and there have been no problems since, the time difference has worked out well, as has the connection. Mr Crabtree is a wonderful teacher, who's able to make seemingly boring exercises (e.g. scales) much more fun and interesting. I find that the short 30min sessions are extremely effective. They have also made me change my attitude to the violin in a beneficial way, I am now more organised and motivated.  I really love my Skype lessons and look forward to them every week. 
Beatrice Dawson - Violin  Singapore

I’m very happy I have the possibility to be taught by such an inspired teacher like you. I always enjoyed the process of learning to play violin but now I can also enjoy results. It’s very important for me to know that my teacher is believing in me and I have a goal to attain. And I know you have heart in your work so after your lessons it’s simply impossible not to play better. Now when I play some pieces with my teacher in Russia I can hear “wow!” from her and she is very thankful to you, especially for my left hand. I hope I’ll be able to continue our lessons as long as possible (because you can tolerate even such a challenging student like me.Екатерина Щербакова - Violin  Moscow

Skype lessons have really helped me to keep my technique up after the end of my postgraduate studies with short 30 minute lessons. Flexible timings for the sessions are useful for fitting them in when I'm free. I was pleasantly surprised how much you can get out of short, concise sessions. Richard is a great communicator, both over video link and, of course, in person!
Tom Hedges - Viola  BA (cantab), LTCL


According to my children, Richard is the best violin and viola teacher in the world... I take the opportunity to thanks Arlette who introduce them to a wonderful teacher. Thank you Richard to be with us on earth, even in the other part of the world!   
Helénè Mourouga - Singapore

"I still remember the phone call I've received, a couple of years ago, from my daughter who was attending an LMFL's pre-course in Llandovery, she was enthusiastic "I’ve met a great violin teacher. You should know him, he's completely different from all the other teachers I've had in the past." and he really was different, 
If it wouldn’t be for Prof. Crabtree my daughter wouldn’t be playing any more. He was great in building up not only her music skill but also her self confidence. I think that it’s possible to see a great person from the little things, as regards Prof. Crabtree he has been unique in all his teaching and his sensitive way to approach the problems and her way of studying and practice the instrument.

He is more than just a teacher for my daughter but even for us parents,  he has showed us how to handle the difficulties with music (but also in normal life) of our daughter and even to enjoy the good moments. When skype connection starts it so good to hear “Goodmorning how are You” in such a enthusiastic way, and he has a very good sense of humour that helps a lot. 
My daughter also likes when he critics her even if it’s hard for her,  she accepts it and she tries to work on it and this is a fantastic lesson not only for music but also for life. 
After many years with violin she is now playing viola and it’s like a new beginning and the only regret is that if my daughter would’ve met him before, maybe her experiences would have been different, but better late than ever!!!!
 She started skype lessons more than one year ago and her music playing and her attitude has completely changed and this thanks to the patience, the competence, the ability, the strong sense of duty, the ability to have her understand where the problem is and how to face it, the humanity of her “Professor” and these are just some of the values he taught her.
He is a person who is fulfilling what I think is the main purpose of the teaching
“ex ducere” bringing out from students all the best even the unknown aspects that only a special person like him has been able to see and have had her seen it.
She is now taking music exams and it’s so good to see her face it with a different approach and this because she receives a great support and encouragement a lot more than we would be able to give her as parents. He’s teaching her to become a person with values but also with a smile to life and we can only say thanks and consider ourselves lucky to have met him”    
Marzia Gaspardis - Italy