Studio Blue Guitar
Guitar and Ukulele Lessons
Live Music for Audiences of All Ages
Studio Blue Guitar
MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457
ph: 860-836-8157
susan
Services
Currently, lessons are offered on:
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
I teach mostly in the afternoon and evening hours but some daytime hours are available- contact me for availability!
Fridays: I usually have gigs booked so I don't schedule weekly lessons but there is often some morning or afternoon time available for making up missed lessons.
Weekly lessons can be 30, 45 or 60 minutes long.
The first lesson is a free 'consultation' type lesson!
This gives us an opportunity to meet, make sure you have the guitar and other equipment you need (tuner, guitar strap, etc.), and find out what your goals are. There is no obligation to continue lessons if you feel you would like to go another way after the consultation.
Scheduled lessons
After that, lessons are paid for at the beginning of the month for that month. Students are asked to reschedule lessons that are missed on other lesson days that week.
What lessons cost:
30 minute lesson: $35
45 minute lesson: $50
60 minute lesson: $65
Cancellation policy
If a cancellation is necessary and the month has been paid for, the paid lesson can be carried over to the following month.
Please give me 24 hours notice for a cancellation. This allows me to fill the open spot if someone needs a lesson time. Unless it's an emergency cancellation, payment is required for the missed lesson. If you are able to reschedule the lesson in the same week the cancellation payment will be waived. Thank you so much!
Lesson content
Lesson content is personalized, meaning that what is taught is geared to your main interests!
What is it that motivated you to want to learn to play?
Did you want to accompany yourself while singing or do you want to play in a band?
Would you like to fingerpick a country or folk song on acoustic guitar or play power chords in classic or current rock songs on electric guitar?
Do you want to read music or to understand how chords relate to one other in a particular chord progression?
Do you want to learn music by ear and know what to listen for?
Or do you just want to start from square one and learn the basics?
Answers to these questions will help me to create a lesson plan that works best for you!
Who are my students now?
Age range is from 6 to people in their 60's; school children to college age, young adults to older adults, working and retired. It's never too late!
To really learn music...
... you need to develop general musical skills. I include ear training and rhythm training as part of your lesson.
The ear training will help you hear the difference between chord types (minor vs. major, for example) and will help you to identify common chord progressions used in popular music.
For rhythm training, I use various methods including the use of drum tracks which help prepare students to play in a band or ensemble.
My Referral Policy:
I really appreciate your referrals! As a way to thank you, I offer a free lesson to anyone who refers a new student to me. Here's how it works:
Your friend calls, sets up a first (consultation) lesson, and mentions that you are the referral source.
If they decide to continue on with weekly lessons and you attend lessons on a regular basis, you are awarded a free lesson.
If they continue taking lessons for a year, you receive another free lesson.
- What kind of music do you like?I find that students are more motivated to practice their instrument when they are learning music they love.One of the first things I ask is "What songs or type of music would you like to learn?"I can often adapt a song or change the key to make it easier to learn.
Practice Tip for beginning students:
It is better to practice more often for shorter periods of time (10-15 minutes per practice session) than less often for a longer period of time (one hour, every 3 days).
This allows your hands to gain the needed strength to play, your fingers to get used to the strings, and helps to minimize frustration when learning new skills.
Left-handed students welcome!
Are you interested in taking lessons but have concerns about being left-handed? Not to worry! I have experience teaching students who play left-handed instruments and have materials to accommodate your learning needs.
Guitars and basses made for left-handed players are readily available in stores and from online retailers.
Famous left-handed guitarists include Jimi Hendrix and Tony Iommi (of Black Sabbath). Can you name probably the most famous left-handed bass guitarist in rock? That would be Paul McCartney, of course!
Here are some of the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument:
Improves concentration skills
Improves/develops physical coordination skills
Improves creative problem solving and reasoning ability
Improves language skills (learning music develops the same side of the brain)
Helps students improve grades in school and test taking ability
Promotes more overall enjoyment of music by having a better understanding of what goes into creating/playing it
Gives students a way to express themselves and communicate their feelings
Promotes relaxation/ decreases stress
Improves spatial intelligence (comprehending and interpreting visual information)
Educates students on other cultures by learning about and playing music from other parts of the world
Improves socialization, communication, and the ability to work as part of a team by being in a band or even just by playing music with friends
Increases self esteem and self confidence through overcoming the challenges of learning to play an instrument and through performing
Develops patience and perseverence to reach goals (since one can't learn an instrument overnight...)
Improves math skills since music is mathematical (understanding rhythm)
It's loads of FUN! (But you knew that one...)
Copyright 2009 Studio Blue Guitar. All rights reserved.
Studio Blue Guitar
MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457
ph: 860-836-8157
susan