Helpful Notes For Guitar & Bass Students

1. Payment details

You are free to pay lesson-by-lesson or in advance if you wish, by cash, PayPal or bank transfer. Most pupils pay lesson-by -lesson. Payment must be made before, during or immediately after the lesson. There is no discount for pre-payment of lessons. All fees are non-refundable, including if you have paid in advance and decide against continuing guitar lessons.

2. If the pupil misses a lesson

If you can’t make a lesson, my preference is to reschedule for that week. I require at least 24 hours notice of lesson cancellation, otherwise 1/2 of a lesson fee is payable. In all cases and circumstances I will require a FULL lesson fee if a lesson is cancelled with 2 hours of scheduled time, including if the pupil forgets a lesson that was scheduled. In the case of severe weather (snow etc) I require at least 6 hours notice, otherwise 1/2 of a lesson fee is payable.

3. If I am unable to do a lesson

In the event that for whatever reason I can’t make a scheduled lesson, I will try to inform you with an appropriate and fair amount of notice. My preference would be to reschedule the lesson for that week. If you have pre-paid for a certain amount of lessons, and I cancel and can’t reschedule that week, I would therefore owe you a lesson. If that owed lesson is not possible to arrange, a refund in this case would be applicable.

4. Care of Instruments

The student, if over 18 (otherwise the parent) is responsible for insurance of their own instrument and is responsible for loss or damage to any instrument lent to the pupil by myself, both during and outside of lessons. Any of the equipment in the studio must be handled with due care and not without permission.

5. Reporting on progress (Parents)

I find an ongoing and personal dialogue is a flexible, accurate and friendly way of giving feedback on pupil progress. Feel free to contact me, should you wish to discuss the pupils’ progress.

6. Obtaining an instrument and other items worth purchasing

All pupils need to have a guitar/bass for lessons and to practice with. I may be able to provide an instrument for the first few lessons (during lesson time) only. Second-hand instruments (eBay, car boot, gumtree, Facebook marketplace, classifieds, etc) can be found for a very reasonable price and can always be sold for a similar price to what they are bought for. I highly recommend also purchasing a guitar tuner, a case (both are about £10 each if not included with the instrument), a folder for the pupils’ music, and a few plectrums (50p each maximum). A strap and a capo (not for bass) are other useful items, but not essential early on.

If your child is at primary school I would suggest considering looking at a 3/4 size guitar or even 1/2 size. Generally, if they are 10/11+, consider getting a full-size, if they are below 7 get a 1/2 size, otherwise a 3/4 is probably about right!