Important Booking info
Cancellation
If you need to modify or cancel your booking please provide sufficient notice – generally 72 hours depending on the type of booking, otherwise you may be charged in full. Please ask your teacher to confirm the notice required.
Payment
Payment is due in cash in full at the end of the lesson, unfortunately we cannot accept cheques due to fraud. Card payments can be accepted at our Burgess Hill location if requested in advance.
Availability, length and Frequency
Our availability is varied but we aim to be as flexible as possible, please bear in mind weekday evenings are especially busy so to avoid disappointment contact us and book a week in advance. Most students commit to weekly lessons, however you are free to book fortnightly or even on a one-off lessons. Shorter lessons at 30-45 minutes are ideal for kids to stay focused for the duration of the lesson, longer lessons tend to suit adults and those who are looking for the best progress, half hour lessons work well for those intermediate and advanced students who are committed to practice and just need a little guidance.
Your personal info – no spam!
In summary, we will only use your personal info for the specific purpose it was provided (no spam), please view our privacy policy for further information
Please view our full terms and privacy or ask your teacher for further information.
Preparation and guidance
Group or one-on-one?
We offer both options. We recommend one-to-one lessons because every student is different and this allows them to receive that tailored experience. Having said that, our group classes are designed to take that into account, providing individual guidance as part of the lesson. There are also many benefits to group learning such as discussion, collaboration as well as the social aspect. The group classes are also a lot cheaper so as to be open to those who cannot afford individual lessons. All in all we hope to provide an option to suit everyone as best as possible.
Choosing style and a first guitar
For children, it can be easiest to find a three-quarter sized classical guitar, these are widely available from retailers such as Argos and Amazon but also often seen second hand on Facebook selling sites. See our size guide below.
Acoustic guitar can be a little tougher on the fingers, and electric can be a bit costlier when you include an amp. It’s recommended to try each style for feel, but our best advice is to choose based on the style of music you’d like to play!
Guitar size guide
This size guide is meant to give you a quick guide as well as more detailed information on what isn’t always a straight forward question. Remember every child is different so in many cases it’s worth checking these details and trying out different sizes of guitar.
Ages 4-6
> Ukulele or 1/4 size guitar (30″)
> Height of child: under 3’10” (117 cm)
Advice: A ukulele is a great introduction to guitar, the strings can be tuned to match a guitar so that all knowledge picked up transfers right over. They are super easy to find for cheap and will still be fun to play on for years – whereas guitars of this size are harder to find and often not as good.
Ages 7-8
> 1/2 (half) size guitar, 34″
> Possible from age 5 or 6.
> Height of child: 3’10” to 4’5″ (117 cm to 135 cm)
Advice: Depending on the individual, a 3/4 size guitar might also suit a child of 7+. A capo can be used to shorten the playing length of the guitar and stop it being uncomfortable. Again, 3/4 guitars tend to be easier to find and most children ‘outgrow’ 1/2 size guitars within a couple years.
Ages 9-12
> 3/4 size guitar, 36″
> Possible from age 7 or 8.
> Height of child: 4’6″ to 4’11” (137 cm to 150 cm)
Advice: 3/4 sized classical guitars (nylon strung) are easy to find and are good enough quality to be kept as a travel guitar when the student is older! Ed Sheeran uses 3/4 size guitars as he likes the sound of them! There are also size 7/8 guitars at 39″ suiting ages 10+ but generally it’s worth holding out until full size.
Ages 12+
> Full size guitar, 40″
> Possible from age 10/11.
> Height of child: over 4’11 (150 cm)
Advice: Now it can make sense to spend a little more on a guitar, as they will last
What do I need?
It’s recommended to at least purchase a guitar, some plectrums, a guitar bag and tuner. You don’t need a guitar to start lessons* but you will need one to practice on! If you decide to stick with it you will need to purchase an appropriate instrument, at this point it’s also recommended you purchase a guitar tuner, strap, guitar bag, plectrums, guitar amp (if playing electric) and some basic guitar books. Some of these are available from your teacher. If you’re on a low budget, there are free guitar tuner apps, you can also learn in our lessons how to tune by ear. Students are already given sheets and a pick or two in the lessons so you don’t necessarily need anything to get started.
To help give you the best possible start, there is a welcome pack available free with pre-purchase of 10 lessons up front. By making this commitment you are sure to stick with it and achieve results.
Get your free welcome pack:
> 5 Plectrums
> Guitar sheets – including the basics, your first chords and a few classic riffs.
> Progress tracker
> Homework planner
> 2 chord posters (subject to availability)
> Folder
Recommended Purchases
> Chord book (recommended except for left-handed players)
> One or more of the following (depending on style):
> Electric guitar grade 1 book (optional)
> Classical guitar grade 1&2 book (optional)
> Acoustic guitar grade 1 book (optional)
For convenience of students (and after being asked many times for advice) we stock a lot of the essentials at our Burgess Hill location at lower than guitar shop prices, these are items we have used ourselves.
What guitar should I buy?
We can recommend a few guitars but also we regularly stock second hand guitars if you’re looking for an affordable start!
*We have most styles of guitar at our Burgess Hill location but don’t always have small sized guitars and left-handed instruments so you need to let us know your requirements in advance.
How do I prepare my learning environment?
Please ensure a quiet, distraction free environment for attentive learning.
Chair arms can be an obstacle while playing the guitar, sofas can prevent good posture, a stool of appropriate height is ideal.
A power plug and internet connection also opens up possibilities.
For the ultimate learning experience, learn at one of our studios
Can I sit in on my child or spouse’s lessons?
Parents may want to sit in for your kids lesson, you’re most welcome and this is recommended for younger kids or those with a learning difficulty. In fact generally there is no problem for a friend, spouse or sibling to sit in and even participate in private lessons as long as it doesn’t disrupt the lesson or distract the student
How often should I practice / how do I encourage frequent practice for my child?
It’s obvious that practice is a key part of any practical learning. Our tutors encourage practice through a range of techniques – setting homework, providing sheets, tracking practice sessions, creating incentives and challenges and above all, making practice fun and not a chore.
It’s a good idea to keep the guitar on display (where it’s shouting “pick me up!”) and to set a regular time for practice.
Through our methods we encourage cooperation between teacher, parent and student to achieve a regular practice routine. Ensure you are leaving enough time for practice every day (or as close as possible). Short practice sessions every day (even just a few minutes) are much better than a single long session as this keeps momentum and memory going strong. It can also be a great parent-child bonding activity to spend time practicing with your child. As a generalised guide, we recommend building up daily practice of 30 minutes to an hour on set homework, plus we encourage creative time for trying new things on the guitar.
If practice is difficult, start with only 5 minutes a day, once you’re child has got into the habit and past the initial learning curve, it will be hard to put the guitar down after only 5 minutes and the routine will grow from there! You can slowly increase the minimum practice time to build up a strong routine.
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