Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  How old do I or my child need to be in order to take lessons?

A.  While I've had success with children as young as six years of age, some younger children do find it difficult to hold the instrument and consistently get sound from it.  A small-scale guitar is a must if you're considering having a younger child take lessons.  Your local music store should be able to point you in the right direction with regard to the proper size instrument for your child.

Q.  I'm a parent and I enjoy getting involved with my child and music too,

what can I do?

A.  I welcome and encourage interested parents to sit in on lessons, especially with younger children.  However, it is not mandatory.

Q.  What do I need to get started with lessons?

A.  All you need is a guitar or bass, a music writing (staff paper) book and a method book.  Which method book you'll need will either be determined when you contact me or after the first lesson when I 've determined your ability level.     

Q.  How much do I need to practice?

A.  I recommend practicing a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes a day on your lesson materials.  Of course, the more you practice the quicker you will advance your playing skills.

Q.  My son/daughter takes group lessons or is in band in school, but I'm thinking about furthering their skills with private lessons.  What are the advantages?

A.  When a child gets private, individual instruction, they increase their skills dramatically because the teacher can easily identify the students strengths and weaknesses and focus the areas of study appropriately.  It is much more difficult for a teacher in a group setting to recognize each individuals specific abilities/inabilities and impossible for them to specifically tailor each students lessons to match their needs.

Q.  Can I or my child participate in NYSSMA on guitar or bass?

A.  Yes.  NYSSMA allows guitar/bass students to participate in the following categories: classical guitar, jazz guitar and jazz electric bass.  I have helped many students prepare to participate in all of these categories.