Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Guitar Lessons
Guitar is a great first instrument, and I’m not just saying that because it’s what I play!
Guitar can teach all of the same important skills that a piano can, such as music reading, playing melody/harmony/bass, and keeping rhythm. Guitars come in a variety of sizes that can suit most children starting around age four, and those will have softer strings for young, developing fingers. Guitar is a very mobile instrument, especially compared to the piano, which is helpful for traveling and playing in different areas of your home. The guitar is also one of the few instruments that is found in almost every music genre around the world! This means that as your child gets older, they can grow and learn through those different interests with the same instrument, rather than having to start over with something new.
When it comes to deciding what instrument your child should play, one of the best things that you can do for them is consider what they’re most interested to learn. A child who is excited about what they’re learning will have better, quicker skill development, and of course, more fun!Nope! Needing to learn types of guitars in order (acoustic first, for example), it just a myth, especially for beginners. There are “child models” for each of the 3 main types of guitar, and those are perfectly accessible for any age. Each type has its perks, so it’s up to the student and parent to decide together. And if you can’t choose just one, no problem! We will incorporate a mix of everything that you want to learn.
In most cases, no! Reading music is more necessary for classical guitar and sometimes jazz. For younger beginners, I usually encourage them to learn at least basic music reading – this way, they’ll have those tools for anything they’d like to pursue in the future. It’s also helpful if they ever decide to either learn a wind instrument in school or join a school music ensemble that has guitar! When it comes to other genres that are associated with popular music, we mostly use TAB reading, which is much easier to figure out and master than reading actual music notation.
Yes. Borrowing a guitar from family or a friend is also an option for when you’re getting started, but you will need regular access to the same guitar(s) for your weekly practice. Regularly using the same instrument will help us make the most of your lesson time, which will help you progress more quickly!
First, consider which type of music you (or your child) would most like to learn, and then choose the type of guitar based on that. Next, if shopping for a child, comes the size. This varies for each child/age, so if you’re unsure, I’m happy to help you make the right selection. If shopping for a full-sized model, you’ll next want to consider the usual factors, such as budget, quality, reviews, etc.
Please note: I strongly recommend against using steel strings for children ages 4 and 5. Those strings are often painful for an extended period of time for those new fingers, and it’s more important to give them a good, fun experience that they want to continue!
Yes! Page 6 of my studio policy document includes a list of required and suggested materials, and I’ve included links to recommended children’s guitar models, for your convenience.
If you’re looking for a full-sized model, there are several options in features, quality, and price, so I’d love to help you with that individually. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help choosing the right guitar for you!
A full-sized guitar can be very frustrating for a child until they grow into it, which could be many years, depending on their age. Reasons for frustration include: trouble reaching lower strings due to fretboard size, being unable to carry or hold up the guitar because it’s too heavy, and being unable to reach frets with their fingers, due to the adult fret size. Every child grows at a different rate, but the average age that I see fitting a full-size guitar is somewhere between 11 and 12. Until then, an appropriately sized instrument will give your child the best chance of success AND fun! Thankfully, child-sized models are much more affordable than their full-sized counterparts, so it’s much easier to keep your child in the right-sized instrument than many initially realize.
Absolutely! I have experience with several students who have wondered the same thing for themselves, and here’s what I’ve found: all of us have different learning styles and struggles, and working together to find what works well for the individual is always my priority. We’ll set appropriate, attainable goals, and I’ll continue to adapt the lessons to best suit your needs, just as I do with all of my students. If you or your child have a diagnosis, discussing it with me in advance will help me plan a more tailored first lesson, but I am always thrilled to share music with any student who wants to learn!
Those online resources can be very convenient, and even helpful, for learning new songs and tricks on the guitar, but the downside to such resources is that they all only provide one-way learning, meaning that they do not leave room for or have the ability to answer a student’s specific questions like a regular instructor can.
A lesson instructor can not only provide those answers, but they can also help build a stable foundation, which can be hard to find if you’re not sure exactly what to look for. Through personalized lessons with your instructor, you’ll not only avoid confusion, bad habits, and possible injury, but you’ll also learn at the best pace for you and will receive help with your instrument that’s tailored specifically to your guitar.
That’s because I’ll bring the lessons to you! In addition to the convenience of in-home lessons, you’ll benefit from having me fine-tune your home music environment in person. This can help greatly with good habits for practice, technique, and improving your setup, which will hugely improve your overall learning. If lessons in your home don’t work for you, though, I also have some availability for lessons at my in-home studio. If you prefer online lessons, those are available, as well.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar is a great first instrument, and I’m not just saying that because it’s what I play!
Guitar can teach all of the same important skills that a piano can, such as music reading, playing melody/harmony/bass, and keeping rhythm. Guitars come in a variety of sizes that can suit most children starting around age four, and those will have softer strings for young, developing fingers. Guitar is a very mobile instrument, especially compared to the piano, which is helpful for traveling and playing in different areas of your home. The guitar is also one of the few instruments that is found in almost every music genre around the world! This means that as your child gets older, they can grow and learn through those different interests with the same instrument, rather than having to start over with something new.
When it comes to deciding what instrument your child should play, one of the best things that you can do for them is consider what they’re most interested to learn. A child who is excited about what they’re learning will have better, quicker skill development, and of course, more fun!Nope! Needing to learn types of guitars in order (acoustic first, for example), it just a myth, especially for beginners. There are “child models” for each of the 3 main types of guitar, and those are perfectly accessible for any age. Each type has its perks, so it’s up to the student and parent to decide together. And if you can’t choose just one, no problem! We will incorporate a mix of everything that you want to learn.
In most cases, no! Reading music is more necessary for classical guitar and sometimes jazz. For younger beginners, I usually encourage them to learn at least basic music reading – this way, they’ll have those tools for anything they’d like to pursue in the future. It’s also helpful if they ever decide to either learn a wind instrument in school or join a school music ensemble that has guitar! When it comes to other genres that are associated with popular music, we mostly use TAB reading, which is much easier to figure out and master than reading actual music notation.
Yes. Borrowing a guitar from family or a friend is also an option for when you’re getting started, but you will need regular access to the same guitar(s) for your weekly practice. Regularly using the same instrument will help us make the most of your lesson time, which will help you progress more quickly!
First, consider which type of music you (or your child) would most like to learn, and then choose the type of guitar based on that. Next, if shopping for a child, comes the size. This varies for each child/age, so if you’re unsure, I’m happy to help you make the right selection. If shopping for a full-sized model, you’ll next want to consider the usual factors, such as budget, quality, reviews, etc.
Please note: I strongly recommend against using steel strings for children ages 4 and 5. Those strings are often painful for an extended period of time for those new fingers, and it’s more important to give them a good, fun experience that they want to continue!
Yes! Page 6 of my studio policy document includes a list of required and suggested materials, and I’ve included links to recommended children’s guitar models, for your convenience.
If you’re looking for a full-sized model, there are several options in features, quality, and price, so I’d love to help you with that individually. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help choosing the right guitar for you!
A full-sized guitar can be very frustrating for a child until they grow into it, which could be many years, depending on their age. Reasons for frustration include: trouble reaching lower strings due to fretboard size, being unable to carry or hold up the guitar because it’s too heavy, and being unable to reach frets with their fingers, due to the adult fret size. Every child grows at a different rate, but the average age that I see fitting a full-size guitar is somewhere between 11 and 12. Until then, an appropriately sized instrument will give your child the best chance of success AND fun! Thankfully, child-sized models are much more affordable than their full-sized counterparts, so it’s much easier to keep your child in the right-sized instrument than many initially realize.
Absolutely! I have experience with several students who have wondered the same thing for themselves, and here’s what I’ve found: all of us have different learning styles and struggles, and working together to find what works well for the individual is always my priority. We’ll set appropriate, attainable goals, and I’ll continue to adapt the lessons to best suit your needs, just as I do with all of my students. If you or your child have a diagnosis, discussing it with me in advance will help me plan a more tailored first lesson, but I am always thrilled to share music with any student who wants to learn!
Those online resources can be very convenient, and even helpful, for learning new songs and tricks on the guitar, but the downside to such resources is that they all only provide one-way learning, meaning that they do not leave room for or have the ability to answer a student’s specific questions like a regular instructor can.
A lesson instructor can not only provide those answers, but they can also help build a stable foundation, which can be hard to find if you’re not sure exactly what to look for. Through personalized lessons with your instructor, you’ll not only avoid confusion, bad habits, and possible injury, but you’ll also learn at the best pace for you and will receive help with your instrument that’s tailored specifically to your guitar.
That’s because I’ll bring the lessons to you! In addition to the convenience of in-home lessons, you’ll benefit from having me fine-tune your home music environment in person. This can help greatly with good habits for practice, technique, and improving your setup, which will hugely improve your overall learning. If lessons in your home don’t work for you, though, I also have some availability for lessons at my in-home studio. If you prefer online lessons, those are available, as well.
Guitar Lessons
Guitar is a great first instrument, and I’m not just saying that because it’s what I play!
Guitar can teach all of the same important skills that a piano can, such as music reading, playing melody/harmony/bass, and keeping rhythm. Guitars come in a variety of sizes that can suit most children starting around age four, and those will have softer strings for young, developing fingers. Guitar is a very mobile instrument, especially compared to the piano, which is helpful for traveling and playing in different areas of your home. The guitar is also one of the few instruments that is found in almost every music genre around the world! This means that as your child gets older, they can grow and learn through those different interests with the same instrument, rather than having to start over with something new.
When it comes to deciding what instrument your child should play, one of the best things that you can do for them is consider what they’re most interested to learn. A child who is excited about what they’re learning will have better, quicker skill development, and of course, more fun!Nope! Needing to learn types of guitars in order (acoustic first, for example), it just a myth, especially for beginners. There are “child models” for each of the 3 main types of guitar, and those are perfectly accessible for any age. Each type has its perks, so it’s up to the student and parent to decide together. And if you can’t choose just one, no problem! We will incorporate a mix of everything that you want to learn.
In most cases, no! Reading music is more necessary for classical guitar and sometimes jazz. For younger beginners, I usually encourage them to learn at least basic music reading – this way, they’ll have those tools for anything they’d like to pursue in the future. It’s also helpful if they ever decide to either learn a wind instrument in school or join a school music ensemble that has guitar! When it comes to other genres that are associated with popular music, we mostly use TAB reading, which is much easier to figure out and master than reading actual music notation.
Yes. Borrowing a guitar from family or a friend is also an option for when you’re getting started, but you will need regular access to the same guitar(s) for your weekly practice. Regularly using the same instrument will help us make the most of your lesson time, which will help you progress more quickly!
First, consider which type of music you (or your child) would most like to learn, and then choose the type of guitar based on that. Next, if shopping for a child, comes the size. This varies for each child/age, so if you’re unsure, I’m happy to help you make the right selection. If shopping for a full-sized model, you’ll next want to consider the usual factors, such as budget, quality, reviews, etc.
Please note: I strongly recommend against using steel strings for children ages 4 and 5. Those strings are often painful for an extended period of time for those new fingers, and it’s more important to give them a good, fun experience that they want to continue!
Yes! Page 6 of my studio policy document includes a list of required and suggested materials, and I’ve included links to recommended children’s guitar models, for your convenience.
If you’re looking for a full-sized model, there are several options in features, quality, and price, so I’d love to help you with that individually. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help choosing the right guitar for you!
A full-sized guitar can be very frustrating for a child until they grow into it, which could be many years, depending on their age. Reasons for frustration include: trouble reaching lower strings due to fretboard size, being unable to carry or hold up the guitar because it’s too heavy, and being unable to reach frets with their fingers, due to the adult fret size. Every child grows at a different rate, but the average age that I see fitting a full-size guitar is somewhere between 11 and 12. Until then, an appropriately sized instrument will give your child the best chance of success AND fun! Thankfully, child-sized models are much more affordable than their full-sized counterparts, so it’s much easier to keep your child in the right-sized instrument than many initially realize.
Absolutely! I have experience with several students who have wondered the same thing for themselves, and here’s what I’ve found: all of us have different learning styles and struggles, and working together to find what works well for the individual is always my priority. We’ll set appropriate, attainable goals, and I’ll continue to adapt the lessons to best suit your needs, just as I do with all of my students. If you or your child have a diagnosis, discussing it with me in advance will help me plan a more tailored first lesson, but I am always thrilled to share music with any student who wants to learn!
Those online resources can be very convenient, and even helpful, for learning new songs and tricks on the guitar, but the downside to such resources is that they all only provide one-way learning, meaning that they do not leave room for or have the ability to answer a student’s specific questions like a regular instructor can.
A lesson instructor can not only provide those answers, but they can also help build a stable foundation, which can be hard to find if you’re not sure exactly what to look for. Through personalized lessons with your instructor, you’ll not only avoid confusion, bad habits, and possible injury, but you’ll also learn at the best pace for you and will receive help with your instrument that’s tailored specifically to your guitar.
That’s because I’ll bring the lessons to you! In addition to the convenience of in-home lessons, you’ll benefit from having me fine-tune your home music environment in person. This can help greatly with good habits for practice, technique, and improving your setup, which will hugely improve your overall learning. If lessons in your home don’t work for you, though, I also have some availability for lessons at my in-home studio. If you prefer online lessons, those are available, as well.
