- Location.
Home Studio: 905 Joslin SE Grand Rapids
Off of Eastern Ave., between Burton and Alger. On the North side of Joslin, half way up the street.
- Fee.
1/2 hr. lessons: $60 Monthly, regardless of the number of weeks in the month; so months having five weeks get one week off--everyone needs a breather now and again!. Payment secures the weekly lesson time.
1 hr. lessons: $110 Monthly.
Pay by the lesson, scheduling lesson times at your convenience. $20.00 each, for 30m; $35.00 each, for 1 hour.
Receive one free lesson for each referral who pays for one month
- Five week months have one week off; everyone needs a break now and again!
· Make-ups.
o If I cancel, you’re given the choice between having a make-up or receiving credit.
o Monthly payments hold open your spot; you are charged for them even when you miss. My bills are steady and my schedule is full. So instead of the confusion of rescheduling lesson times for make-ups, I charge about $5.00 less per lesson than almost any other professional instructor. This greatly simplifies handling the inevitable missed lessons, given both of our busy schedules.
· Payment.
o Payment is required the last lesson of each month, for the upcoming month.
o If the student misses a lesson without calling by the next night, and hasn’t paid for the month, I’ll assume s/he's discontinuing and the spot might be filled.
· Opening and Closing
o During the first minute, get out your guitar, open your music and warm up.
o You’ll have a minute at the end to pack up, allowing the next student time to set up.
· Sitting In
o Parents are encouraged to sit in on lessons. The parent will be better able to aid the child at home, especially when attempting the instrument themselves.
· Recording
o Bring a blank cassette tape or digital recorder and we’ll record pertinent parts of the lesson. Scanning through difficult assignments after the lesson will also aid memory.
o Regularly record newly mastered songs, to monitor progress and to motivate careful practice. Consider downloading Protools free. Devote one day of practice a week to keeping your repertoire polished and ready to perform.
· Gear
o Heavy picks. Footrest. Fresh strings a few times a year (light gauge, for beginners). String winder. Music books. Electric tuner. Metronome. Humidifier. Microphone and recorder. Ear training software.
· Eliminating the drive-thru mentality.
o As with any subject or sport, patience and diligence are necessary virtues for gaining proficiency.
o Even in learning songs you like, with a fun teacher, there are peaks and valleys. Practicing isn’t always exhilarating.
o Practice at least thirty minutes a day, six days a week. Break up the time, to maintain good concentration.