You might be a total novice or someone who has been playing for a while and is frustrated with your progress. Which ever end of the spectrum applies to your situation, this page is designed to provide you with essential information relevant to undertaking lessons with me. So if you are:
- considering learning to play the guitar, no matter what age or level
- frustrated with your current lesson situation
- wanting to learn to read music notation
- undertaking a study of the theory and composition of music and need help progressing your skills
- seeking help preparing for examinations or performances – school (HSC), external music examinations such as AMEB,Trinity College, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and various conservatories
- interested in developing a greater understanding and appreciation of music then the information on this page is for you!
Lessons for beginners
I only offer ½ hour lessons for young beginners and these are offered on one day of each week during the month. This duration of lesson is generally maintained until the pupil is sufficiently progressed and requires a longer lesson. I would generally indicate the need for the longer lesson when it is considered appropriate.
The usual lesson time for all other pupils would be either a ¾ or 1 hour lesson. The choice would be dependent on the level of competence and need of the pupil. For pupils who begin their lessons with a ¾ hour length, this will ultimately be lengthened once the pupil’s stage of progress has advanced sufficiently thereby requiring a longer lesson time of 1 hour. Lesson time is apportioned appropriately between the practical art of playing the guitar and the theory requirements.
There are purchase requirements for sheet music, equipment and accessories which are in addition to the lesson fee and you should be aware of this budgetary requirement at the outset. The items required will be discussed once you have made the decision to start your music journey.
Lessons for pupils already playing the instrument
The length of the lesson may initially entail one ½ hour session per week however, dependent on your level, I may recommend a 1 hour lesson given on one day of each week during the month. If theory and composition training is also required, this may motivate the need for a longer lesson or an additional ½ or one hour lesson to address this aspect of your training. This will be discussed in greater detail on enquiry for lessons.
The content of the lesson is usually varied dependent on the stage of progress as well as possible performance requirements.
If preparation for exams is an integral part of the training, this may require additional lesson needs which will be discussed as appropriate.
There are purchase requirements for sheet music and reference books which are in addition to the lesson fee and you should be aware of this budgetary issue at the outset. The items required will be discussed at the appropriate stage of training.
The Importance of ensuring a ‘good fit’
If you are anything like me, you dislike the revolving door effect i.e. trying out teachers only to discover that you’re not a good fit together. As I mention in the page entitled ‘For Parents’, it is really important to try and ensure a really good fit at the outset.
During my early years of teaching, I learned to reduce the revolving door effect and developed my approach of an ‘Intro Lesson’. This means that before we agree to work together, we meet for a formal lesson (face-to-face or Skype) where we discuss all things music and discover whether we are a good match for each other.
This ensures that we both know and understand each others requirements and have an opportunity to establish the foundation of a great teacher-pupil relationship. More will be discussed about this process when you contact me to explore the possibility of working together.
In Person or Online Video Conference Lessons such as Skype, FaceTime etc.
Most pupils enjoy in-person lessons and indeed, in most cases, these are very effective. However, I recognise the need for some people to receive tuition via online video conference lessons such as Skype, FaceTime and/or other similar formats. This offers people who have difficulty in ensuring their personal presence at a weekly lesson, the option to receive a music education and training, via online video conferencing.
Indeed, if you are based in a more country or rural area or would find it difficult to attend lessons in person, then the online format may prove to be a viable option in studying the guitar with a qualified and highly experienced teacher. I am more than comfortable to include these in my service offering so please feel free to contact me and discuss this option. Many of my pupils from around Australia receive great benefit and satisfaction utilising the online format and progress well.
What I look for in pupils
Simply put these are…
- An unbridled passion for the instrument and its music
- the dedication to live with yourself while you and your body learn the intricacies of what is required to master the instrument you have chosen and,
- commitment to allocate regular time to the practice of the instrument which is essential to succeed
My opinion is that when these three core ingredients are coupled with the pupil’s innate talent, a positive result will ultimately emerge and your achievements will generally surpass your original expectations.
I regard myself as an empathic, patient and dedicated teacher who seeks to help you achieve your goal whether that is the casual or formal study of the instrument including formal examinations. My goal is to constantly strive for consistent growth and progress in the student’s musical development.
When do you teach?
By the very nature of people’s busy lives, most lessons are scheduled from mid to late afternoon through early evening. Lessons are offered Monday through Saturday morning with the exception of Sunday. The most appropriate day and time for you to attend lessons will be discussed at the time of enquiring about lessons. There are two periods of the year that I do not offer lessons and these are (i) during the Christmas / New Year period and (ii) the Easter weekend.
What is your policy toward missed lessons?
My rule of thumb here is that I generally do not make up missed lessons as the dedication and commitment factor necessary to achieve a successful outcome with music studies, is indelibly linked to regular and systematic attendance. However, anyone can fall ill or suffer some other unexpected occurrence and so in such cases I will generally consider the circumstances and if appropriate, offer an alternate time for a limited period only. I think it is important to emphasise that I do not offer refunds for missed lessons.
Investing in lessons
I always encourage folks who are looking around for music lessons to purchase the best service they can afford. After all, you would never think of taking your child or yourself for that matter, to an unqualified doctor, architect, lawyer or dentist would you? So why would you consider anything less when it comes to you or your child’s music education?
With this in mind, I will assess the requirements and needs of each pupil individually and advise an appropriate monthly fee according to your personal musical needs. For example, some pupils may be undertaking a serious study of the instrument involving performance and theory / composition exams while others may simply want to play for their own enjoyment and relaxation. The fee is determined by the requirements of each pupil individually. Fees are generally charged monthly in advance and paid either prior to or at the first lesson.
As a guide, the NSW MTA (Music Teachers Association) currently recommends that teachers should charge a minimum of $110 per hour, GST exclusive, for private individual lessons.
How do I contact you to start my lessons?
I can be contacted to discuss your personal requirements for learning the guitar either by: