Apple Valley Guitar Academy
Our mission is to fulfill your dream of playing the guitar or piano beautifully,
to share the joy of learning, and develop the full artistic potential of every
student.
952-322-4329 Info@AVGuitarAcademy.com
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Recorded Proof
Below is the first of numerous recordings of young
children playing adult-level guitar solos. We currently have a
9-year-old piano student working on a Mozart piano Sonata. A
recording will be available soon. In a
typical music group, one guitar plays bass (low notes), another, chords
(rhythm), and another, melody (lead). We teach our children to play all
three together--bass/chord/melody! In
this age range using traditional methods, most children are playing simple
melodies or chord strums, not professional, three-voice compositions.
9--year-old student, was playing at this level
after about 18 months of lessons.
He enrolled with us at age 7.
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An Amazing Transformation
The following testimonial is regarding a student who left the studio of a
virtuoso recording artist to take lessons at Apple Valley Guitar Academy. He
is now performing successfully in public performances apart from our
recitals. "We
really wanted our child to learn from someone who genuinely cared about the
technique and precision needed to master classical guitar. We are so
happy with the progress he has made and we graciously thank you.
It has
been an amazing transformation and we appreciate all you have done for
him."
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Experience the Rare Beauty of FIngerstyle Guitar
Like other studios, we teach playing the guitar with a pick. We
also offer lessons in the beautiful and highly versatile technique known as
fingerstyle. This technique allows you to play independently "layered" music,
including compositions written for piano and orchestra.
Listen to examples below.
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"More than Words"
Nuno Bettencourt/Sungha Jung (steel-string)
"Jesu" Bach/David
Qualey (nylon-string classical)
"Black
Oak Harp" Richard Sayage (steel-string)
"Valerie's Air in A" Richard Sayage (nylon-string classical)
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The Apple Valley Guitar Academy Difference:
Why
We Offer a Better Value in Music Lessons
FREE BOOK-Quality SHEET MUSIC, guitar exercises, chord charts and music
theory printouts
These free materials are custom-designed by a master teacher to make guitar
learning fun and easy.
FREE GUITAR STRINGS AND RESTRINGING
We provide free
strings and replace them without any labor fees.
As a result of our free offers, you save nearly $100 per year.
STUDENT AND PARENT SATISFACTION
"I'd like to tell you how pleased I am that we
decided to take guitar lessons at your Academy. I really like that you
emphasize not only hitting the
right notes, but making it sound like music. And
really, what's the point of playing if you just hit notes and there's no
expression?"
The timeframe depends upon age and prior musical training, but we have students as young as 9 who perform in public (outside our own recitals) after a year of lessons. This is possible because of our one-of-a-kind, accelerated teaching methods, found in our 250 page guitar learning curriculum. This curriculum was developed over a 10-year period by a master guitarist with 40 years of experience.
In general, students see results about two to three times faster compared to standard teaching methods. As a result, those that continue guitar lessons until they reach a satisfying advanced intermediate level of skill save $100s in lesson fees.
The cost of learning to play an instrument well
is what matters, not the cost per lesson
BEAUTIFUL, SPACIOUS, COMFORTABLE MULTIMEDIA STUDIOS.
Our studios are completely separate from any living space and the distractions of TVs, stereos, or household activities. The air is purified with a filtration system year-round.
WE TEACH MUSIC THEORY AND EAR TRAINING
Theory explains the building blocks of music and how they are used to create musical compositions. Theory knowledge allows students to write their own music, improvise, and create accompaniments to singing. In addition, they will play written music much better than those ignorant of musical structure.
The same is true of ear training, which involves recognizing sounds by name rather than merely playing them back. It also sharpens musical perception and makes the student more sensitive to pitch and duration patterns in music.
In addition, a certain percentage of music students will eventually pursue teaching as a career. Without training in music reading, theory and ear training, they will not be qualified to do so.
WE TEACH CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
The typical guitar teacher is well-versed in contemporary music, which every student should learn. Because of our classical training, we also teach music written by master composers in centuries past. This gives our students a well-rounded musical education. It also makes them aware of the finer points of the musical arts, which is essential for students who will eventually study music in college.
We use computer-based learning methods
We have software and computer resources to support every aspect of our training system, providing a much broader, in-depth learning experience compared to traditional methods.
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Guitars
Retail stores today offer a wide variety of guitars with significant differences in terms of beauty of tone, structural quality, longevity, warranties, and suitability for beginners/children. Our master teacher, who is that 40 years of experience with all the major types of guitars, has written a short guide to help you in your purchase.
Guide to guitar types, sizes and purchasing
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More Information on
Apple Valley Guitar Academy
SPECIFIC STYLES OF MUSIC WE TEACH
We teach Popular, Classical, Chord-Melody Arranging, Christian, Folk, Country and Jazz.
TYPES OF GUITARS USED FOR LESSONS
We offer lessons on acoustic (steel string) and classical (nylon string) guitars.
Steel-string training includes playing with a pick or fingerstyle (with the right-hand fingers).
Classical guitar, often called "Spanish guitar", is taught fingerstyle.
We are located in Apple Valley, MN,
and serve the following South of the River communities:
Apple Valley, Burnsville, Cannon Falls, Coates, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Farmington, Hastings, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, New Market, Northfield, Owatonna, Prior Lake, Rosemount, and Webster
LATEST NEWS
An Apple Valley Guitar Academy student was recently admitted to the University of Wisconsin as a guitar major. His new professor is one of several experts who has praised the guitar books written by our master teacher.
MORE ABOUT OUR GUITAR PROGRAM AND
TEACHERS
Misconceptions
regarding
the term "Guitar Academy"
LESSON DETAILS AND CONTACT INFO
Private Guitar Lessons: 30/45/60 minutes
Private Piano Lessons
On-demand Workshops for Intermediate and Advanced
guitarists
Phones: (952) 322-4329 or
(612) 710-0800
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 241204 Apple Valley, MN 55124
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Sat. 10-am-12:00pm, Sun. 1 - 5:00 p.m.
INFORMATION PAGE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS
Closed Dates/Holidays* updated 09/08
LINKS