- Can I stop taking lessons at any time? Yes. There are no semester contracts, so you may stop taking lessons at any time.
- How do I pay for lessons? I have several payment options, but the most popular form of payment is a secure payment by personal check or cash. Check "rates and availability" link for more info. On occasion, I'll accept credit cards through Paypal.
- Where do lessons take place? Most of my students enjoy the luxury of taking lessons in their own home. I also offer Saturday lessons from 8am to 2pm in my home studio.
- How long are lessons? My standard lesson is 60 minutes. I additionally offer 30 minute lessons.
- How often are lessons? Lessons are most commonly held once a week.
- When can I start taking lessons? I can get you started with lessons as soon as you are ready!
- Do you offer an opportunity to meet a teacher? Yes, I offer an introductory 30 minutes lesson. If for any reason you don't "click" with the lessons you have no obligation other than the trial fee. See "Rates" page for trial lesson fees.
- Do you offer both private and group lessons? One-on-one private lessons are the primary type of lessons I offer. I do allow group lessons upon request if you have friends, family, or co-worker's interested in having a group lesson. Please contact me for more details and pricing.
- How do I choose a guitar? There are many great guitar stores throughout the Chicago area to purchase your first guitar. You can find some really decent starter guitars for under $200. Guitar Center's prices are very competitive and they are located in Villa Park, Arlington Heights and Chicago. There are great stores like Sam Ash - in Lombard - too. Feel free to contact me for tips.
- What type of guitar should I buy (electric, acoustic, nylon)? This depends on what style of music you want to learn. If you like folk music you should get a steel string guitar. If you like rock and blues you should buy an electric. If you want to play classical, then a nylon string is the best choice. If you need advice on what to buy please contact me.
- What style(s) of music do you teach? I specialize in many styles of music. For beginners, I can help you get started in any style. When you progress, then move to another teacher that specializes in the particular style you want to learn as you improve your basic skills. The best thing to do is to contact me for recommendations and advice.
- My child is six years old. What size guitar should I buy? Generally it's a good idea to start off with a 1/2 size guitar unless he/she is a big six year old in which you can start with a 3/4 size guitar. Starting off with a nylon string guitar is important as it's much easier to "fret" or hold down notes on the instrument.
- What levels of guitar do you teach? I teach students from complete beginner to advanced professionals.
- Is it possible to learn every chord? The majority of the songs you hear on the radio can be played with a handful of chords and scales! And there are so many tricks on the guitar. In a few lessons you can learn to play every major and minor chord on the guitar with only knowing a few chord shapes. Make one alteration and you know every major and minor 7th chord!
- Do I have the necessary talent to Learn to play guitar? I have not yet come across one student that does not have some sort of musical abilities. Everyone has their strengths. Some are better at reading notes, some at chords, some at improvising etc. Eventually, everyone has a barrier that they must get across to get to the next level. It is not how talented you are, but how diligent and determined and how much you play your instrument! What I've also noticed over the last couple of decades is that a good guitar student - or guitar player for that matter - keeps a healthy dose of music on their platter. Good guitar players and good musicians are avid music listeners. That is why I also refuse the occasional student - mostly children - who have been put up to the challenge by a parent. My students are active fans of music and desire to get in the game and break the code. There is a passion to play in each of my students.
- What are the cancellation policies? I know that you have a busy schedule and I want to make sure you feel you are getting the most out of your lessons. I offer a 24 hour cancellation policy. A lesson that is canceled the same day as the lesson, by the student, will be charged in full and will not be made up. I am also very flexible and don't really enforce this policy. Please be considerate of the teacher - me - and keep consistent as possible.
- Can I take lessons on an every-other-week basis? I highly recommend that you take lessons on a weekly basis. I do offer lessons every other week. I find that students who take lessons on a weekly basis learn at an exceptionally faster rate. In the end, it's more economical and efficient to take lessons weekly.
- Can I take 2 lessons per week? Yes. Lessons on a weekly basis are sufficient to learning guitar at a steady rate, however, if you would like the extra guidance, or are an exceptionally quick learner, I am happy to offer lessons 2 times per week.
- How much do lessons cost? I am happy to say I have the most competitive rates available with the services and teaching that I offer. Check "rates and availability" link on the left side of this page for more info.
- How do I get started? You will be prompted through a short series of questions regarding musical tastes, styles, etc. I'll find exactly when you are available for lessons, your general location. We'll set up our first lesson.
- What is your privacy policy? All of your information is held with strict confidentiality. I do not and will never sell or release any of your information.
- Do you have a gift certificate option? Yes! Gift certificates are extremely popular, especially at the holiday season. Gift certificates can be mailed or emailed to the purchaser or the recipient.
- Are there lessons on weekends? Yes. I offer private lessons on Saturday in my Belvidere home studio 8am til 2pm.
Sign up for lessons today! Start next week.
RockfordGuitarLessons@gmail.com