Q: How long have you been teaching guitar?
A: I gave my first guitar lesson when I was 15 years old. After 25 years at Hewlett-Packard I've decided to teach guitar as a second career. I've been teaching this time around for three years.
Q: What are your qualifications?
A: My formal training consists of four years of private guitar lessons, two years of electronic organ lessons and music classes in high school and college. I have also performed in several bands including formal settings that require sight reading of music and working with a director. Most importantly I have been playing guitar for more than 40 years without a break of even a month. I love playing and teaching the guitar.
Q: I am an adult. Is it too late to start taking guitar lessons?
A: It's not too late. If you wonder why you waited so long to get started it's because now is the right time for you to start playing guitar.
Q: My child has obvious music talent. What is the earliest age to start taking guitar lessons?
A: When to start depends both on the child and the adult. Children starting at about seven or eight can often do well. For the child it depends on things like coordination and attention span and sometimes hand size. A younger child will especially need an adult that creates an atmosphere that enables regular practice and a belief in the importance of music.
Q: How long will it take before I can play guitar?
A: How quickly you learn depends on many factors: The most important is your motivation and willingness to practice. Previous musical experience and clear goals for guitar playing can also be helpful.
Q: Will I have to practice?
A: Like sports, guitar playing combines physical and mental activity. So, like a sport, practice is needed to progress and succeed.
Q: Where are you located?
A: My guitar studio is in our home in Fort Collins near the Poudre Hospital.
Call for directions: 970-472-5917.
Q: May I stay at your house during my child's guitar lessons?
A: Yes. I often have parents sit in on the lesson. There is additional comfortable seating in the same room where I give the lessons.
Q: I'm too busy for lessons during the week. Do you teach on the weekend?
A: Yes, call at 970-472-5917 for currently available times.
Q: Do you offer gift certificates?
A; Yes. I sell gift certificates in increments of $20 or $40. Just choose the number of lessons you would like to give.
Q: Should I start with electric or acoustic guitar?
A: Start with whatever type of guitar is most interesting to you. Electric guitars and acoustic guitar feel different in the hands and your hands will adapt to this feeling. There are techniques that are specific to each type. But all guitars share a lot in common. Starting with one type and switching later is relatively easy.
Q: What kind of guitar do you recommend for a beginner?
A: Two things are especially important for any guitarist:
1) The strings should be close enough to the fret board to be playable.
2) The guitar should be easy to tune and stay in tune.
There are a lot of relatively nice inexpensive guitars available these days. There are several music stores in Fort Collins that should be able to help you with a guitar purchase or rental.
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