Your instructor is committed to providing the highest quality study environment and guidance with a sensitivity to the development of the individual student. Fulfilling this mission requires a reciprocal commitment from students and, for younger people, from their parents.

In order to fully enjoy the rewards of playing the guitar, students must be willing to commit to the discipline of a regular practice schedule. Consistent daily practice is a necessity for training the mind and body to play a musical instrument. This also means committing to a given lesson time slot and arriving in a timely manner.  Parents of younger students should aid and encourage their children in fulfilling these commitments.  

Students must create their own practice schedules. Practicing must be regular and consistent for the development of strong musical skills. Practice schedules will vary from student to student but a general recommendation would be for daily practice of at least 20-30 minutes (10 minutes for beginners). It is more effective to practice daily and for a shorter time period than to practice for longer stretches only once or twice per week. Advanced players should be investing an hour or more to daily practice.

IMPORTANT: Students should designate an area specifically for practicing. Students are more successful at maintaining a practice schedule when instrument, music, chair and stand are easily accessible. One aid to this can be the use of a guitar stand or wall-mounted guitar hanger. Believe it or not the easy availability of the guitar means it is more likely to be played and it also gives a visual reminder.

Guitar:  Students must have an appropriate instrument for the style and skill level of their study. Your instructor can help you to choose an instrument that will work for you.  All students must have an acoustic guitar which is not too large for them. Nylon-stringed instruments are preferred but steel-string guitars may be used.

Text:  Beginning students will use different texts depending on age, ability and interest.  Most texts are available from your instructor, but you may purchase them on your own if you prefer.  Texts for more advanced students will be selected on an individual basis.

Folder/Binder:  Each student will need a lesson folder for keeping track of lesson assignments and additional sheet music. Folders should be the 3-prong-type made of paper/cardboard with pockets.  Plastic folders do not work well.

Chair/Bench:  An appropriately-sized, sturdy chair or bench is necessary for good playing posture.  (To test this, student should sit on the chair with feet flat.  The thighs should be parallel to the floor).   Adjustable piano benches work well for this.

Music Stand:  A simple, portable music stand is sufficient to hold the book and other music.  If you prefer you can also get a sturdier model.  These can be purchased at any musical instrument store.

Guitar Support or Footstool:  For the best technique, the neck of the guitar should be raised at a good angle.  A guitar support or small footstool can be used in order to raise the instrument to the appropriate height.  A guitar support attaches to the instrument via suction cups and allows you to keep your feet flat on the ground.  The ErgoPlay guitar support is my recommendation. Either item can be purchased at StringsbyMail.com or other musical instrument store.

Optional Items:  Students may also wish to have a tuner, a gig bag/guitar case, guitar stand, and guitar wall-hanger.  It’s also a good idea to have an extra pack of strings handy.

The instructor will give full details of the requirements for each student at the first lesson.

In May and December the studio offers its public recitals.

In the Fall Session students are assigned a piece of music to play in an ensemble with other students.  The December Recital focuses on ensemble performances.

For the Spring Session students may select a piece to be performed either as a solo or as a duet with the instructor.  The May Recital focuses on these solo and duet performances.