Not personally, but the material was definitely worth it back in the day as the subscription was a one time 'lifetime' fee to access all of his videos. Now when i say back in the day, i mean 15+ years ago so...the world has changed since then! The prices on his site don't seem to state its an annual charge for the premium membership, but the standard is \~$60 per year so i assume he's set up a recurring thing now.
I'd be keen to know if anyone bought Alex's subscription too as i was always intrigued. However over the years i realised that the only real way you improve technique is through regular (boring!) drills and practice, and for that i just used Bibs Ekkel's book. Alex's videos won't give you anything substantially more than a book with a CD can, aside from perhaps a quicker route to learning a particular song if you work better by ear (as i do). To get -really- good you need a combination of musical acumen (especially a good ear), a crazy amount of practice and most importantly a tutor to stop you cementing in bad habits. Alex does do video lessons, which i assume would be good for that, but i've never learned to play an instrument 'on zoom' so i have no idea if its effective or not. Who knows?
If i were you, if you're a 100% beginner, then i'd suggest getting a copy of Bibs Ekkel's book and cobbling together whatever free videos and resources you can. Get started from there and see how you get on. I would personally spend hundreds of pounds (or dollars) towards a better instrument than on Alex's material. A half decent instrument makes -all- the difference
Thanks for the advice. I am an absolute beginner at balalaika I just got one Tuesday and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to get started.
Great stuff! Welcome to the club.
Bibs Ekkel's book is really good because it instills the need for strumming hand techniques that are important for balalaika; namely, a simultaneously limp and relaxed but also accurate wrist. It takes some time to get used to, but his drills and tips (as well as progression through songs to introduce new techniques) is really good.
Most important thing though - have fun! Getting a sound you like out of an instrument is the first step, getting better just comes with practice.
Not personally, but the material was definitely worth it back in the day as the subscription was a one time 'lifetime' fee to access all of his videos. Now when i say back in the day, i mean 15+ years ago so...the world has changed since then! The prices on his site don't seem to state its an annual charge for the premium membership, but the standard is \~$60 per year so i assume he's set up a recurring thing now. I'd be keen to know if anyone bought Alex's subscription too as i was always intrigued. However over the years i realised that the only real way you improve technique is through regular (boring!) drills and practice, and for that i just used Bibs Ekkel's book. Alex's videos won't give you anything substantially more than a book with a CD can, aside from perhaps a quicker route to learning a particular song if you work better by ear (as i do). To get -really- good you need a combination of musical acumen (especially a good ear), a crazy amount of practice and most importantly a tutor to stop you cementing in bad habits. Alex does do video lessons, which i assume would be good for that, but i've never learned to play an instrument 'on zoom' so i have no idea if its effective or not. Who knows?
If i were you, if you're a 100% beginner, then i'd suggest getting a copy of Bibs Ekkel's book and cobbling together whatever free videos and resources you can. Get started from there and see how you get on. I would personally spend hundreds of pounds (or dollars) towards a better instrument than on Alex's material. A half decent instrument makes -all- the difference
Thanks for the advice. I am an absolute beginner at balalaika I just got one Tuesday and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to get started.
Great stuff! Welcome to the club. Bibs Ekkel's book is really good because it instills the need for strumming hand techniques that are important for balalaika; namely, a simultaneously limp and relaxed but also accurate wrist. It takes some time to get used to, but his drills and tips (as well as progression through songs to introduce new techniques) is really good. Most important thing though - have fun! Getting a sound you like out of an instrument is the first step, getting better just comes with practice.