Frequently Asked Questions About Our Music Lessons

What equipment do I need to get started?

  1. A guitar with new strings.

  2. A tuner. This can be a stand-alone unit or an app.

  3. A capo. This is a device that clamps onto the neck of the guitar to raise the pitch.

  4. A metronome. This is a device that is used in practice and recording to help musicians keep perfect time. This can also be a stand-alone unit or an app.

Where do the lessons take place?

Lessons take place at our studio space just off the square in downtown McKinney, TX at 213 E. Louisiana St. Suite #255 and at our home in Melissa, TX. If you live further away or just prefer the convenience of learning at home, you can take lessons online vie FaceTime or Skype.

How long are the lessons?

Most students do one 30 minute lesson once per week. For more advanced students, one hour lessons can be arranged.

At what age can kids start learning to play the guitar?

The youngest we recommend starting guitar is age seven. At this age, the hand is just beginning to develop the strength to hold down the strings. Kids age 7-10 should have a 3/4 or 7/8 scale guitar to learn on.

What kind of guitar do you recommend?

This depends on the amount you want to spend. In general, guitars range from $150 to over $1000. The main difference as the price increases is the quality of the sound. Higher end guitars have a fuller sound with more low end. Cheaper guitars tend to sound more bright and thin. Here are some suggestions in various price ranges.

ACOUSTIC GUITARS

Under $300 - Fender guitars in this range have fairly consistent quality and are great to learn on. They won’t sound like a higher end guitar but they are just as easy to play if the neck is adjusted properly.

$300-$800 - Taylor, Breedlove and Martin are great brands in this range. At this price point, you want something that has a “solid top.” This means the top of the guitar (the surface with the sound hole in it) is made of one piece of wood as opposed to several pieces layered on top of each other.

Over $800 - Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Guild, Larivee and Breedlove are the major brands here. At this price point, you can get a guitar made with all “solid” woods. This means that the back and sides are single pieces of wood as well as the top. This increases resonance which dramatically improves the sound quality.

ELECTRIC GUITARS

$200-$1000 - Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster. There are varying qualities and price ranges of both these guitars. They are both great guitars but have different sounds. Stratocasters are great for blues, jazz, gospel, funk and soul. Telecasters are better for country or rock. There are many more options but these two are classics that will always deliver.

Over $1000 - Higher end Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, Gibson Les Paul or SG, Gretsch (any model). These are the most common but there are dozens of other options here. Some models may be classified as “semi-hollow body” or “hollow body.” These types have some or all of the inside of the body hollowed out which gives them a warmer, more jazzy tone.

Can I learn if I have no musical ability?

In our experience of teaching hundreds of students, we’ve learned that anyone can learn an instrument if they are willing to put in the work. Yes, some people have more of a natural ability than others, but by far the main thing that makes a musician is practice, and anyone can do that.

How much practice is required to learn an instrument?

Thirty minutes per day is enough to make moderate progress. If you want to really take advantage of your lessons and move forward quickly, we recommend an hour or more per day.