Frequently Asked Questions
What age can I start my child on guitar lessons?
For a long time, I would suggest no earlier than (Australian) Year 2, although recently I have taken on Year 1 students, but… the younger the student – particularly the Year 1 child, the more support they require to practice at home. At this age, without regular quality practice progress is not possible – which could be damaging to their love of music. This is because the guitar requires fine motor muscles movement – something the young can find challenging. Any younger than Year 1 and I would strongly recommend some foundation work like a Dalcroze Eurhythmics or Kodály course (no I don’t know of any in Canberra now).
When do lessons occur at school?
Lesson are held during the school day. For the schools I work at, the policy is that I change the lesson time from week to week for all students to minimise the impact on any one given class. It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on the material/work covered in their classroom while they were at a guitar lesson. Before/after school lesson times are highly sought after, and are reserved for Year 12 & 11 students and ensembles. I’m sorry if I cannot accommodate younger students for this request, but this is a common school policy I must follow. For the very young students (Yrs 1-2) I speak to the classroom teacher about a convenient time for lessons; but again, once this is in place I am not responsible for checking for clashes of activities out of the normal routine. The mode of scheduling lessons varies from school to school – some are online and use their internal intranet portal for lesson times, some schools have a list of lesson times in the guitar room wall. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of their lesson time regardless of whether I collect them for their lesson or they bring themselves.
I have an account at the school, can I put your fees on this account?
No, sorry. I am not employed directly by the schools I work for, and this is quite common for itinerant music teachers because a lot of us travel between various schools during the week. As such, we are required to invoice parents/care-givers directly. I invoice for a semester in advance and have done so for many years. Some schools will order music and materials on your behalf and place them on the school account.
WILL YOU COLLECT MY CHILD FOR THEIR GUITAR LESSON AT SCHOOL?
This is a complicated question and it depends on the school. Generally, there are three answers;
- Yes! The school mandates that I collect your child for their guitar lesson.
- No! Your child is old enough to bring themselves to their lesson, and by the time they start Senior School I would have no idea where they are in the school as they move around a lot.
- Maybe… There is a transitional period where children become more independent and can bring themselves to the lesson. Exactly when this is can differ from child to child. In this period, usually between years 3-5, but both me collecting or them bring themselves have problems;
- For me to collect; students become reliant on me and neglect checking their lesson time; this is important as lesson times can change from week to week depending on a schools policy. Students can forget to let me know of clashes (e.g. class tests or incursions etc) and if I cannot take them from class or return later in the day, the lesson is not ‘made up’. If the class leaves the classroom for any reason, the lesson can be lost with me looking for that class. In this instance the lesson is not ‘made up’.
- For the child to bring themselves; they can forget. The wristwatch with an alarm has always been a good investment for this. I don’t let a child completely forget, and wait 10mins in case they’re just running late before I go looking for them. Although, students can and do show up after I’ve left the guitar room looking for them – this could result in a partial lesson if discovered in time. If the class isn’t in the classroom the lesson can be lost with me looking for that class. In either instance, the lesson is not ‘made up’.
I AM NO MUSICIAN; HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD’S MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT?
Great question! You don’t have to be a musician to help your child learn guitar. Once they gain some momentum they can become more independent, but at the outset they need help. Some ideas to help support them:
- Sit with them as they practice. This is great because:
- It helps you to realise that 2-5mins at the start is more sustainable than 30+ minutes. It can raise the question of How Much Practice should we be doing?
- It makes it social for them, and can help build quality time together… as long as it stays positive and not dissolve into arguments.
- I make notes of the lesson in the Music Record Book. You can use these to help the practice remain high quality. Young students will avoid the ‘challenging’ and ‘annoying’ bits… like good sitting posture, hand positions, the new ‘hard’ song for example. Of course, we need the fun parts too, but incorporating these other bits can help build steady progress long-term, because these things get less challenging and annoying. Then they learn resilience and courage to undertake the next challenging and annoying bits.
- Get them to “show me what this means” from the Music Record Book.
- Learn with them! Not always possible, but them seeing you struggle and push through is a great example for them to follow, and puts their struggle into context.
- Come to the Lesson occasionally. Ok, during the pandemic this isn’t possible (unless we are on zoom), and we all work. But the invitation to the lesson is always open for parents. I run lessons how the practice session should be. Observing this will demonstrate the three parts to the lesson and thus the practice:
- Warm Up… often neglected.
- New Song/technique… often forgotten.
- Old songs, because we build musical ability through old songs… the part of the session most students will skip to and ‘forget’ the rest.
- Mix things up occasionally:
- Maybe split the practice sessions into two shorter ones?
- Incorporate the practice in between different homework subjects. E.g. 30mins of Maths, 2mins of Guitar, 30mins of literacy, 2mins Guitar…
- Encourage the ensemble.
- Encourage performances – both internal in their school and external ones (age appropriate).
- Reward this! Make it a positive thing. Performing is terrifying, and nearly everyone focuses on ‘how bad they played’, and everyone will ‘fall apart’ on stage. Focus on the positive, maybe have a ‘hot chocolate’ after to build a positive association… bribery?
- Encourage the exam process (with bribery?)…
- Think about other musical activities that help develop a well-rounded musician. Because we are musicians first and guitarists second.
WHAT DOES A GOOD PRACTICE SPACE LOOK LIKE?
We need to set up a good practice space to encourage good habits – mostly around posture but also to help students to want to practice. For posture and technique; sitting on the couch or end of the bed reading music on the floor or flat on a surface (chair?) will mean posture will slouch and the hand positions collapse. There is a ‘sweet’ spot for the hands to be in, and slouching makes it hard to find. So a good practice space includes;
- A chair with no arms,
- Footstool,
- Music stand,
- Pencil & eraser,
- Guitar Stand.
MY CHILD WON’T PRACTICE, WHAT DO I DO?
Welcome to the club, this is kinda normal. I often think of the analogy; three of us are in a boat. I, the teacher am at the back steering the boat. The child is at the front enjoying the view and it is the parent in the middle doing the rowing – all the hard work. It is a very exceptional child that is born with the long-term resilience to put in place a regular quality practice routine by themselves. They almost always need help. This may be for years, but this is a gift you are giving to your child for their adult years – I’ve lost count of how many adults say something like “I wish I had learnt music as a kid” or “I wish I hadn’t given guitar away so easily”. This is the best time in their lives to learn music – their only real job in life now is to learn! But with the prospect of years of parental support, we need something sustainable. Some ideas (to work together with);
- Bribery. You know your child best, but make them work for it. E.g. for 7 days consecutive practice = a special meal.
- For the very young, sit with them and point to notes to play. Run them through the comments I’ve made in their Music Record Book. Because practice can feel isolated and like punishment until we get some momentum going.
- Bribery. Get an A in the exam = a newer guitar.
- Leave the guitar out of the case, and the music set up during the week so it is easy to pick up and get straight into it.
- Bribery. Four weeks of excellent practice = a special event (Sleepover? Concert? Favourite sporting team?).
- Sneak in practice between other subjects during homework. Maybe 30mins of maths then 3mins of guitar, 20mins of writing, 3mins guitar, 20mins of… etc.
- Bribery. Join the ensemble = pocket money.
- Little home concert to grandparents? Nothing like a performance to focus the practice.
- Bribery… a certain x-box game
- Set the expectation for practice before screen-time, or TV. This means removing other distractions to make it fair.
- Bribery…
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE IN AN ENSEMBLE?
Yes and No. It depends on the school policy for learning onsite, and this can differ from school to school. If it isn’t mandatory, then no one can force this… BUT, this is one of the best experiences a child can have through their school years. From a music education point of view, this helps students connect in a non-competitive environment. The individual plays something small, yet as a collective they create something big!!! It helps develop note reading, timing and concentration. It is best to find a group that are made up of musicians at a similar age and stage musically. Students can see their peers struggle with the same issues they themselves struggle with; they can pick up good habits from each other (yes, and a few bad ones). They make new friends not necessarily in their direct class, year group or even school. Performances are significantly less confronting as they are not alone on stage… and if you’re really really lucky, the group could go on tour to another town, state or country. This combines my favourite two things of being a musician; travel and playing with others.
I’M AN ADULT STUDENT, SHOULD I JOIN AN ENSEMBLE?
Yes, and for the same reasons that children should join an ensemble. It can help improve notation reading, timing, concentration (because it takes a different mind-set to solo playing) all in a (hopefully) positive, fun musical environment. As the individual you play something small and create something big as the collective. The problem is finding an ensemble – schools have the advantage there. For the best experience, you want to find others of a similar age and stage musically. If you’re lucky your teacher may have someone (or more) that you could connect with. You can try your local Classical Guitar Society, where guitar enthusiasts from the community meet regularly. The Canberra Classical Guitar Society has an ensemble you could join and there are many more around New Zealand and Australia. I know adults who globe-hop regularly (pre-pandemic) from guitar festivals, camps and summer schools with a heavy ensemble focus. Check out Taranaki Classical Guitar Summer School and the Sydney Summer School. These are just a taster, there are loads of these events all over the world. This combines my favourite two things of being a musician; travel and playing with others.
I forgot I have a test, can I change my lesson?
I require one full weeks (i.e. discuss with me in the lesson prior) notice of anything that will impact a scheduled lesson time. The schools I teach at have informed all instrumental staff that they never schedule a test without two weeks’ notice.
In rare circumstances a last minute swap may be possible, students should come and see me before school (8am) in-person, and with luck swaps may be arranged and gaps may have appeared from people who call in sick. This is why it is critical I am text prior to 8am when someone is sick. Coming to see me in-person before school often resolves these issues but students need to accept that sometimes I cannot shift the lesson time.
Alternatively, I don’t mind students swapping their lesson times between themselves to resolve these issues; another good reason to be in the ensemble – get to know other guitar students in other year groups. But I MUST be informed BEFORE either lesson that both students agree to the swap. Failure to let me know can (and has) resulted in the swap not working and the student(s) losing their lesson(s). I know – bizarre right? It’s the kind of series of unfortunate events that could inspire a movie, but it has happened a couple of times over the years.
In rare circumstances a last minute swap may be possible, students should come and see me before school (8am) in-person, and with luck swaps may be arranged and gaps may have appeared from people who call in sick. This is why it is critical I am text prior to 8am when someone is sick. Coming to see me in-person before school often resolves these issues but students need to accept that sometimes I cannot shift the lesson time.
Alternatively, I don’t mind students swapping their lesson times between themselves to resolve these issues; another good reason to be in the ensemble – get to know other guitar students in other year groups. But I MUST be informed BEFORE either lesson that both students agree to the swap. Failure to let me know can (and has) resulted in the swap not working and the student(s) losing their lesson(s). I know – bizarre right? It’s the kind of series of unfortunate events that could inspire a movie, but it has happened a couple of times over the years.
HOW DO I CHANGE MY STRINGS?
I could type instructions here, but YouTube is easier. Guitar strings are consumable and they break fairly often (or lose their vibrancy when they go a rusted colour). Like petrol in the car – we go through them. As such, it is a good idea to have at least one set of spare strings in the case. I advise d’Addario Pro Arte Normal Tension as good quality strings. “Ball Ended” nylon strings are generally not good quality. You may notice that some strings break more often than others (cough* cough* 4th string). You may be able to buy packs of the single string – rather than a full set every time (you’ll end up with a LOT of 3rd strings). I buy my strings in bulk from Strings by Mail. A string winder can speed the process up and is well worth the $$.
CAN I PUT STEEL STRINGS ON MY CLASSICAL GUITAR?
No! The Classical Guitar does not have a Truss Rod in the finger board. A Truss Rod is a steel rod that runs the length of the finger board and holds it straight in a standard Steel String Guitar; because Steel Strings hold more pressure than Nylon Strings. Steel Strings would bend the Classical Guitar finger board irreversibly.
YOU MENTIONED EXAMS. WHAT ARE THESE?
Run by the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), these external exams offer the following pros:
- Focus. Everyone needs a goal in their learning.
- Progress. The levels are structured getting more difficult gradually – a bit like Karate Belts, coloured to show progress until the Black Belt. But Black Belt is having only covered the basics and where the real learning starts. For the guitar, the equivalent to the Black Belt is the Certificate of Performance (CMusA).
- Achievement. After successfully passing the practical exam (and co-requisites if appropriate), students receive a fancy nationally recognised certificate. No joke; these certificates look fancier than my degrees, and they look great framed!
- Nerves. This looks like a con but I believe it to be a pro, because “pressure creates diamonds”. To play guitar, we train our micro muscles and nerves can seriously inhibit the playing. This means we have to talk about strategies of dealing with nerves. What other subject at school talks about this in-depth (i.e. more than saying “take a deep breath”?)
It’s our first exam, what do I need to do?
Early in the year – usually early March – I will give you a form to fill in to enter the exam either through me or by yourself online. Closer to the exam, usually about 3 weeks before the exam, if I entered you, I will receive your Exam Notification online and forward this to your email. Please print this out it is your ‘ticket into the exam’. You don’t need to fill it out, because I can do this.
I am (almost) always at the exam venue to help your child. In the very rare circumstances I cannot make it there on the day (e.g. I am on tour and out-of-town); I will let you and your child know of relevant details.
On the day of the exam there is very little you as a parent needs to do. Please have your child arrive about 20mins early so I can help tune, fill out the paperwork and warm up. You do not need any forms of ID – apart from the Exam Notification – unless you are sitting for Grade 8 or above. Each exam level is a different length, getting longer in the higher level. As a ‘ball-park’ figure; a student sitting their Preliminary Classical Guitar Repertoire Exam will be finished approximately 5mins after their scheduled start time… at the latest (unless the examiner is running late).
Once you’ve been through this process the first time, you’ll see it is very easy for the next one.
I am (almost) always at the exam venue to help your child. In the very rare circumstances I cannot make it there on the day (e.g. I am on tour and out-of-town); I will let you and your child know of relevant details.
On the day of the exam there is very little you as a parent needs to do. Please have your child arrive about 20mins early so I can help tune, fill out the paperwork and warm up. You do not need any forms of ID – apart from the Exam Notification – unless you are sitting for Grade 8 or above. Each exam level is a different length, getting longer in the higher level. As a ‘ball-park’ figure; a student sitting their Preliminary Classical Guitar Repertoire Exam will be finished approximately 5mins after their scheduled start time… at the latest (unless the examiner is running late).
Once you’ve been through this process the first time, you’ll see it is very easy for the next one.
Can I just use TABS?
Occasionally I will hear this, “I use Tablature (TABS) and don’t want to read music”. If you don’t know what TABS are, it is a numbering system that simply tells you what fret and string to play. I believe this is doing the child a huge disservice because it will leave them musically illiterate. It’s kinda like saying “I want to learn to speak Russian but I don’t want to understand it. I just want it written out phonetically for me to speak”, this could be problematic if someone speaks back in Russian – and TABS create a similar problem in music. My teaching philosophy values the reading of musical notation.
Yes, I hear people talk of X-Guitarist who can’t read music. This may be true – don’t forget this could be a marketing ploy to position themselves as the bad boy/girl – but this is more the exception than the rule. This also means that X-Guitarist had incredible drive to get where they are today.
Yes, I hear people talk of X-Guitarist who can’t read music. This may be true – don’t forget this could be a marketing ploy to position themselves as the bad boy/girl – but this is more the exception than the rule. This also means that X-Guitarist had incredible drive to get where they are today.
Can I let my child text you?
No. All schools mandate that I do not communicate directly with minors via text or phone to personal devices at any stage. This is in the Code of Ethics and aligns with the child protection laws of Australia. This also holds for my private studio at home. This may be obvious for a 10 yr old, but receiving a text to my personal phone from a 17 yr old, Year 12 student is still defined as inappropriate. I also cannot store any students phone number on my device, so please understand when I refuse to take it if offered. Only once your child is 18 yrs and has left school, can this be allowed. So, the parent/caregiver needs to text me for absence due to illness – before 8am – not email, because I cannot check emails before school. Should students feel the need to communicate non-urgent things between lessons, they can email me.
Last updated January 2022