“We’re still building our website, but hey, we’re glad you’re here! Feel free to look around and please excuse the mess...”
We are String Buddy.
Feel like it’s taking forever to get a piece of music performance-ready? Can’t seem to get past a particular passage without making a mistake—no matter how much you’ve practiced?
String Buddy is a group of advanced student musicians that know how to practice! With a roster of proven techniques, our practice partners teach budding musicians (like you!) how to practice constructively and efficiently so that their time devoted to learning new music (or old) turns into real improvement—even after just one session!
Sound good? We know it does.
Whether you’re picking up your instrument for the first time or have been playing for years, you can bet that personalized coaching from String Buddy will help you get better faster!
Why String Buddy?
We get it, practicing isn’t exactly the definition of a good time. It’s time consuming, repetitive, and sometimes down-right boring. Then, add being unfocused, unorganized or feeling over-whelmed to the mix and you have a recipe for a disastrous, ineffective practice session. We know how you feel—we’ve been there!
Putting in the hours and not improving? Here’s why. Practicing incorrectly with poor technique can make the time it takes to learn a piece of music 7x longer! Our brains are fantastic recording devices, but they can’t decipher between right and wrong information. Which means, every time you hack your way through a piece of music starting and stopping, playing wrong notes or the right ones out of tune, your brain says, “let me remember that!” It’s a physiological fact that it’s much harder to unlearn something wrong than it is to learn it correctly the first time. Who has time for that?!
But, that’s no reason to give up! String Buddy will help you save your practices. We have all the tools you’ll need to turn yourself into a highly-effective practicing machine!
So, what exactly will you learn from a String Buddy practice partner?
How to structure and organize practice time from the first minute to the last
Ways to break down music into smaller, achievable goals
Problem-solving strategies for tackling difficult passages
Tools to increase focus for a distraction-free session
Confidence building and self-motivation
Sound like something you need? Ready to start getting better faster? Then, by all means, keep scrolling!
This is how we roll:
Sessions are 1-hour long and booked in advance here on our website. Our sessions are offered in three formats: In-Home, Studio and Zoom. Sessions may be purchased one at a time as single sessions or in bundles of 10 sessions at a reduced price. We ask that you use bundled sessions at a rate of one session per week. It’s a great way to commit yourself to becoming a first-rate, independent practicer.
Remember, String Buddy sessions are meant to support the work you’re already doing with your established music teacher. We recommend you work with your teacher weekly to learn the essential technical skills needed for your particular string instrument. As such, it is not necessary for String Buddy coaches to play the same instrument as their students. Play the viola? The double bass? No worries! Our coaches apply the same skills to all instruments!
Accountability is our middle name. In return for your purchase, we commit to arriving on time, showing up organized ready to work, listening to and supporting your needs, and conducting ourselves with professionalism . We also bring a smile and a few good laughs at no extra charge.
So no more excuses! Which session is right for you?
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In-Home sessions take place in the comfort of your home or location selected by you. Additional fees may apply for Atlanta locations beyond the 285 perimeter.
Single Session—$60
Bundle of 10 Sessions—$550
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Studio Sessions take place at your String Buddy’s home at various locations throughout Buckhead.
Single Session—$50
Bundle of 10 Sessions—$450
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Zoom Sessions are conducted remotely via the Zoom™ videoconferencing platform. Not recommended for students with less than 1 year of training on their instrument.
Single Session—$45
Bundle of 10 Sessions—$400
Meet our Buddies.
Hi! I’m Graydon Linard, founder of String Buddy, LLC. I really appreciate you visiting us and hope we get a chance to work together. I’m available now for new appointments—just fill out our contact form below to get started and we’ll reach out to you shortly. And, don’t worry—we have more really talented buddies coming online soon for your scheduling convenience.
So, stay (in) tuned!
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Joining Soon!
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Graydon Linard, founder of String Buddy, LLC, is a junior at North Atlanta High School and a dedicated cellist in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program, where he studies with ASO Associate Principal Cellist Karen Freer. He began studying cello at the age of four at New York City’s highly selective Special Music School, laying the foundation for a deep, lifelong commitment to music. Graydon has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Merkin Hall, and NEC’s Jordan Hall. Since moving to Atlanta in 2022, he has been selected for the GMEA All-State Orchestra for three consecutive years and currently serves as principal cellist of the NAHSO Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Joining Soon!
Graydon Linard Founder of String Buddy, LLC
First step: Who are you?
Our New Student Form will help us get to know you a little before we start our sessions. This way we can show up for your first practice ready to go.
Also, since we’re not 18 years old yet and chances are that you—the string player—aren’t either, we’ll need the parents and guardians to give their blessings. So, please fill out our New Student Form to get the process started—it will only take a minute or two. Then, our people will contact your people and, before you know it, we’ll be getting down to strings and bows!
NEW STUDENT FORM
( We’re feeling the sparks…you? )
Let’s make a date.
We’ll have our booking system online soon! For now, we’ll confirm all appointments directly with you through email.
Payments can be made via Zelle, Venmo or personal check made payable to: String buddy, LLC.
We look forward to practicing with you!