I am a senior and have never taken music lesson. Is it too late to start?
It is never too late to start taking lessons. Our Instructors will be happy to guide you through a program that they will develop especially for you.
May I start music lessons at any time during the year?
Yes, you may.
How often are the lessons?
Lessons are usually once a week for a ½ hour. You can also take a 45-minute or 60-minute lesson.
Do I have to commit to a full year of lessons?
No, we ask for a minimum 3-month commitment to start. You can keep the same lesson time if you wish to continue.
Do I need an instrument at home? Can I buy or rent an instrument from you?
Yes, you need an instrument to play at home, and we have instruments available for sale and rent at reasonable prices.
How often should I practice?
A fair average for students of every age to see progress is 30 minutes to one hour daily. If you want to see rapid progress one to two hours daily. For young children, 15 to 30 minutes daily is acceptable.
How much do lessons cost?
Lesson fees are charged monthly and are averaged over the school term (Sept to June). Monthly fees range from $85 to $95 depending on the number of lessons in the term. If you want to start with the minimum 3-month term, the cost is $300 to $350.There is a $25 yearly family registration fee for all students taking private lessons.
Do I have to play in front of other people?
Only if you want to. There are two student recitals each year. Students are encouraged to play for fellow students and parents at recitals but it is optional.
Do you have group classes?
Yes, there are group classes for ukulele, guitar and voice (choir). There are ukulele classes for adult beginners and intermediate level, and guitar and choir for children and adults. Details about dates and times are listed on the Classes pages, and individual Teacher pages.
What instruments do you teach?
Guitar, bass, ukulele, piano/keyboard, violin, cello, voice and acting, choir, accordion, clarinet, saxophone, flute, mandolin, banjo, theory, harmony, songwriting, music appreciation, Preschool Music Sampler.
How do I sign up for lessons or classes?
You can talk to Diana who does the scheduling, or look at the website for teacher’s bios and schedule openings. Call 778-426-1800 or use the Contact Form and we will get back to you, usually on the same day.
How do I know what my child should practice at home? (Adults too…)
Some Instructors use a Dictation Book to record weekly lesson assignments, and others will assign homework from song books or give handwritten sheets. All loose sheets should be kept in a 3-ring binder and brought to the lessons. Parent of young children are encouraged to sit in during the lesson, and to assist with home practice.
All assignments (songs, scales, chords, exercises, etc.) are cumulative and progressive. Even if a song or exercise is not specifically re-assigned for a following week, it is important for the student to review all material that has been previously studied. For example, if you learn a C Major Scale and practice it for 1 or 2 weeks, then you learn a G Major Scale, you don’t stop playing the C Major Scale, you play both, and they both improve from week to week.
The same goes for learning songs. There are many components to learning how to play a song. Guitar students may learn how to play the chords in a song in 1st position, and sing the melody as you play. You can build on that foundation by learning the chords in different positions, learn to play the melody, learn to play chords and melody together, learn chord substitutions, learn the harmonic basis of the chord progression, etc. And there are similar processes for learning on other instruments.
You are not just learning where to put your fingers on the instrument, you are learning about Music and begin given a foundation to understand how things fit together. It is important to always review material that you have been given and try to build from that foundation.