ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Our mission is to teach students to play the guitar in a way that they and others find enjoyable.  As you read this page, keep in mind that our requirements and expectations during lessons are what make this possible.  They also help us run the Academy in an efficient, professional manner and maintain the highest educational standards. 

Requirements are divided into two categories--immediate and those that can be postponed or are ongoing.

Immediate Requirements

A metronome. 

This is required so the student will know if they're keeping a steady beat.  In turn, a steady beat is required to produce what can be rightfully called "music".  Without a metronome, consistently achieving this objective is impossible.

In most cases, students age 10 and above are not allowed to advance in their method book without playing each piece of music assigned with a steady beat.

For absolute beginners, the metronome is not needed until the second month of lessons.

A method book. 

This book will be recommended during the first lesson.  All method books contain both classical and popular music so that our students receive a well rounded musical education.

An electronic tuner, unless the student or parent knows how to tune a guitar successfully by ear. 

A tuner or tuning ability is required because it is impossible to practice effectively on a guitar that is not in tune.

Ongoing Requirements

Availability of one hour per day of practice time five days per week. (Children under the age of 12 can practice 1/2 hour per day). 

Without sufficient practice, a music student cannot expect to make any meaningful progress.  The same is true of involvement in sports, where most coaches require at least 2 hours of practice per day, and usually more.

Children under the age of 10 must be guided at home by a parent or guardian who attends the child's lesson every week. Without coaching, students in this age group will make very little progress.

Purchase of any music or study materials recommended by the teacher.

Our teachers carefully monitor the technical and musical development of each student, and know best what music/materials are necessary to overcome their deficiencies and help them progress at the fastest possible rate.

Requirements That Can Be Postponed

A music theory text and workbook.

Knowledge of music theory is necessary to understand how music works and dramatically improves the quality of the student's playing.  Nearly all of today's music professionals, regardless of style, have a working knowledge of music theory and every respectable music school in the world teaches this subject.

Ear Training Software.

Whenever time permits, students use the ear training software on our computers.  For the fastest possible development of the ear, which improves the quality of the student's playing and allows them to learn music from recordings, we recommend purchasing the Ear Master software for teens/adults and Happy Note-Play It By Ear for children.  Both are available on the Internet, and Happy Note offers a free, limited version.

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