FAQ

This type of instruction is where student and teacher meet one-on-one without any other students present. This allows the teacher to tailor their curricula and instruction to that student’s individual needs. Pacing, content, and information are taught in a way that will be most effective for that student. A skillful instructor will adjust his/her teaching approach to fit each student’s learning style and skill level. This individualized approach has long been proven as the most effective way to maximize student achievement.

Anyone that wants to learn to play a musical instrument. While there are numerous do-it-yourself methods (i.e. videos, books, DVD’s) most are unsuccessful because there is no interaction between student and instructor. Each student has a unique set of skills and a unique way of learning. Do-it-yourself methods are focused on the masses. They have to be. However there is no way for students to ask questions, get feedback, or receive individualized instruction and attention.

I taught music in the public schools for years. I am a huge supporter of music in our schools. However, the disadvantage to students with classroom instruction or any group instruction is this. When teaching a group of students you have to teach towards the middle. The students that are more advanced get held back, and the students that need more attention don’t receive the attention they deserve because they are learning within a group. When it comes to individual student achievement nothing produces faster results than one-on-one instruction.

I taught in both retail and fine arts schools for years as well. The teachers and instructors do not necessarily have teaching experience, education, or credentials. They are private contractors that may be amazing performers, but not the best instructors. Likewise, I have worked with amazing instructors that did not have much performance experience. The best instructor will have both. In addition, if you have ever used one of these businesses in the past you may have encountered the difficulty in communication that can occur between management, the instructors, and the students and parents. These businesses are driven largely by numbers. Unfortunately this can create situations that lack personal attention.

It is much more challenging to learn to play a musical instrumentif you do not have one available to practice on. There are many inexpensive ways to acquire an instrument and I will be glad to advise you on your individual situation.

Practicing what you have been taught is certainly the most effective way to achieve results with any new skill especially playing a musical instrument. The alternative would be to take lessons more frequently. This approach allows for supervised practice in addition to instruction for those that find practice difficult. More time spent playing the instrument will achieve faster results.

The minimum is once a week. However, just like sports or physical training some students find it more beneficial to take longer lessons or multiple lessons each week.

No contracts. You will be required to pay for your scheduled lessons a month in advance, but there are no contracts.

The time slot you have reserved will be mutually agreed upon when you enroll for your lesson, the instructor as well as other students depend upon you taking your lesson when you agreed to, for these reasons there will be no make-ups, re-schedules, or credits for lessons missed by the student. A lesson that has been paid for, but is cancelled due to teacher absence, national holiday, or inclement weather, will be credited to the students account for the upcoming month.

Parents are encouraged to sit in. In addition I will give regular feedback after each lesson so that progress may be tracked.

Your instrument (with the exception of piano students), and any materials needed for instruction. (I.e. books, notebooks, picks, CD’s). I provide cables, amplifiers, tuner, metronome and playback devices for use during the lesson.

I do not teach in student’s homes. However for intermediate and advanced guitarists and bassists, there is an excellent alternative.  Interactive on-line lessons using video conferencing software. Skype is a free download that is used for video conferencing. Skype and similar video conferencing software is also fast becoming the future of on-line music lessons. This allows for studio quality instruction from the comfort of your own home.