Lesson #52 (02/26/2012): Happy Farmer & Bridge

Lesson Notes: 

New Bridge for my Lombardi cello

• I had a new bridge (Belgian instead of French) made for my Lombardi cello, which has made it even more beautiful sounding! I really love that cello! <3. 
• There is just something about the quality of sound that I really like, even though it sounds better under my ear than far away. However, with the new bridge, the discrepancy of how it sounds under my ear versus when it's far away has lessened a lot. Also, the strings react much more quickly and it resonates a lot more too! Both my cellos now have a Belgian bridge. 
• Adam had me test my cello, and had me sit farther away while he played it loudly and then played my cello while I sat close by. It definitely sounded a lot louder in my living room than his spacious basement, but I thought it sounded a lot more open and resonant. When I sat closer, the harsh "scratchy" sound was more noticeable, which apparently becomes less noticeable a few feet away from the cello, which he wanted me to hear, so that I would know that it was okay to hear the "scratchy" sound under my ear because it the audience wouldn't hear it.  

Happy Farmer 

• I didn't play Happy Farmer that well during this lesson than when I had practiced at home, although my string crossings were more clean. I had it memorized this at home (I swear!) but for some reason was confusing the different sections during this lesson. Ugh - my brain... everything just went out the window when I played it during the lesson!  
• My articulation for some sections weren't as strong as others, but I could have sworn I was playing it the same way! 
• I recorded myself after my lesson and I definitely was not keeping the same sound! It's kind of weird when I think I'm doing something, but am doing the exact opposite! Lol! ;).  

Assignment for Happy Farmer:

1. Work on memorizing this, i.e. learn them as have an A section, B section and C section, instead of an A & B section even though they are very similar. 
2. Verbally say aloud which section I'm are in to really remind myself where I am.
3. Even with the new bridge, I still need to have a good contact point and weight in the string.
4. Remember to keep my bow hand pronated and not have the first finger too far on top of the stick.

Minuet in C

• I played this for the first time one time, but didn't have time to review it during this lesson and will review during the next. But he mentioned that I needed to add more weight and volume, but sounded good so far. 

I had a midterm that week and was really busy, so I was behind on my posts again, but what else is new! However, every time I don't post or at least jot it down and leave it in my drafts, I feel like I loose a lot of the information and the concepts just don't sink in like they normally do. So the next few weeks, I'm going to really try and jot down and post my blogs sooner than later. 

Cello Insurance

Below is some information regarding cello insurance that I researched to determine the insurance coverage for my two celli.
Both my teachers and my luthier (and consensus online), recommended requesting quotes from the main musical insurance carriers and from your homeowners (or renter's) insurance company and then the not-so-fun part, reading through the quotes and coverage descriptions to see what would best fit my needs.

I've added links to read through some of the insurance coverage specimens (the insurance company's generic, standard coverage).

Be prepared to know/have the following:

• A list of cello(s), cases, bows, & accessories with descriptions, cost and bill of sale/receipts (and in some cases an appraisal)
• Questions to know:
• Will you be traveling or shipping your cello? 
• Do you belong to any groups or associations? 
• I don't belong to any, but apparently you get a discounted rate
• Will you be getting paid or refuse payment? 
• If so, you're considered a professional musician. You may need to get a rider if you go through your homeowners insurance, otherwise some policies will become void 
• What type of security do you have and how do you store your cello?

Poor cello! :(

INSURANCE RESEARCH QUOTES:
Professional Insurance

• Clarion Insurance
• My quote was $160 with no deductible (covers my two cellos, bows, cases and accessories) 
• Requirements: completed application, proof of value (either bill of sale receipt or appraisal), and premium payment
• Documents:
• Coverage Specimen 
• Highlights
• Clarion insurance vs Homeowners Insurance
• Baggage Exclusion -  Damage or theft is excluded when checked in as baggage on any public conveyance. Must purchase a seat for your cello! I don't travel so this doesn't affect me yet.
• Heritage Insurance / Musical Instrument Insurance Program
• Their minimum premium to issue a policy is $250.00 per year. Policies are usually written without deductible. For my quote, this was the case  (includes celli, cases, bows & accessories).
• Coverage is "All Risk" and worldwide, including devaluation as a result of loss
• Exclusions: governmental actions, general wear and tear, shipments and air cargo (can be added). Another important condition is if an instrument is stolen from an unattended automobile they require some visible signs of forced entry 
• Shipping & air cargo coverage can be added when needed. The cost per shipment is $0.50 per $100.00 for domestic and $1.50 per $100.00 international
• Coverage provided by Hartford Insurance Company
• Requirements: copy of appraisal and premium payment. If no appraisal is available, they can start coverage based on a complete description of the instrument including make, model, year built, serial #, and current replacement cost. Payment options are available
• Documents:
• Coverage Specimen
• Total Instrument Insurance
• My quote was $78.52 premium with no deductible (includes celli, cases, bows & accessories).
• "All risk," except governmental action, nuclear hazard, war & military action, pollutants, pre-existing conditions and normal wear and tear.
• Traveling IS covered 
• Sorry, there was a typo in the email I received from the agent
• Requirements: Application and premium payment. Must disclose if any item has been repossessed, been convicted of a crime or filed for bankruptcy
• Coverage provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company 
• Documents:
• Coverage Specimen
• Merz-Huber
  
• I was quoted a premium of $250.00 a year with a $100.00 deductible (two celli without cases or accessories)
• The policy is "all risk" and covers everything but normal wear and tear. Fire, theft, damage, traveling and shipping is covered. 
• Requirements: completed application, cello appraisal and check
• Unfortunately, they didn't have a coverage specimen to forward me
• Anderson Group
• I requested quotes on 3 separate occasions and never received anything, so I figured I should just move on since I have a lot of quotes already 
• Update: I received my quote after posting this entry. $150 per year and $250 deductible
• Covers "all perils" and includes rental reimbursement, electronic equipment and worldwide "all risk" coverage
• Requirements: check, cello description, copy of appraisal, bill of sale/receipts and pictures of front and back of cello
• Exclusions: Flood, Earthquake & others (see endorsement and specimen coverage). Also, they will not pay for loss caused by or damaged due to dampness, dryness or damage caused by that "Specified Cause of Loss"
• So if a cello is shipped from a really humid climate to a really dry climate and a humidifier is not used which causes the front to crack, then it's not covered?  
• Documents:
• Specimen coverage
• Endorsements: Cap on Losses From Certified Acts of Terrorism, Commercial Inland Marine Conditions, Anderson Group Amount Valuation, Rental Reimbursement Additional Coverage Endorsement, Safes or Vaults Conditions Endorsement, Electrical Apparatus Deductible Endorsement, Surge Protection Device Warranty, Property Leased or Rented to Others Endorsement, Dampness, Dryness or Extremes of Temperature Exclusion, Earthquake Exclusion, and Flood Exclusion)

Personal Insurance: 

• Farmers Insurance: my current renter's insurance company
• My quote is $54.78 annual premium with a $250 deductible. 
• I ended up forwarding Clarion's quote to my Farmer's insurance agent to see if their policy would provide similar coverage. Although it seems that they are not very knowledgeable about celli coverage or any type of musical instrument for that matter.
• Both my teachers currently have insurance through State Farm, but I don't think my Farmers insurance is as good as State Farm.
• Personal property with Farmers Insurance covers theft, vandalism, smoke if sudden and accidental, sudden and accidental discharge of water, fire, collapse of dwelling and falling objects. But does not cover flooding or earthquakes (not an issue in Colorado), or if my cello is damaged while walking across the street and it falls out of its case!  
• Huh?! That was the example my agent emailed me specifically! This is because it does not have a "drop and break peril." 
• Another instance this may occur is if I were to move and accidentally dropped my cello. Or if my case were to fall over with the cello inside, or if someone bumped into it, and the case didn't protect it (scary thought!). So make sure you ask specifically that this is covered under your homeowners policy!
• Requirements: check, copies of my receipts and a picture of my two celli front and back
• Documents: 
• My current coverage

Helpful forum reading from different websites:

• http://cellofun.yuku.com/topic/7240#.TwodZ2-Je88
• http://cellofun.yuku.com/topic/11034
• http://www.cello.org/heaven/mbarchs/2001/aug4/insure.htm
• http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=14043
• http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f31/instrument-insurance-520889/

There are a lot of other insurance carriers out there, but these were the ones I found to be the most common. I would recommend getting quotes from all of them and compare the different coverage, premiums and deductibles. Just click on the highlighted links to go the the main website for each one. The quotes are "relatively painless" and should take 30 minutes to complete all 5 carrier's online quotes. You should receive quotes within 24 hours, except for Anderson which took a few days.

Also, be sure to read through ALL of the specimen policies! I highlighted some aspects that are important to ME in this blog, but I'm sure I missed some important information that may affect your decision in picking a policy. Use this as the BEGINNING POINT of your research only.

I think I'll be choosing HCC / Total Instrument Insurance since it covers my celli, bows, cases and its accessories, has no deductible and is relatively inexpensive. I believe you can also add coverage to laptops or other equipment used in gigs or teaching too.

Happy reading! ...so exciting... LOL! =p
Probably more information on musical insurance coverage than you ever wanted to know...

***FOR FUTURE READERS PLEASE NOTE: Entry posted on 1/17/2012, so if you're reading this and its been awhile (say 3 months or longer), the coverage specimens and rates may no longer be accurate. I'm not responsible for outdated material or information! But let me know if you come across any inactive links.***