Helpful Notes For School Guitar & Bass Lessons
1. How are lessons organised
Everything is flexible based on arrangement, but lessons are usually for 20-30 minutes, in small groups of 2-3, or 1-on-1, during school hours.
2. Who am I?
I have been teaching guitar since 2002; privately, in schools, and with the WSMS, which I left in order to provide a better service at a more affordable rate. I have a wealth of teaching experience and musical knowledge, I’m a published songwriter and am fully DBS/CRB checked.
3. How are pupils accepted?
When you have returned an application form to the school to register your interest, I will be informed of each application, and providing space is available, you will be contacted regarding payment for that term. In some instances you may have already received the invoice with the application form.
4. How to pay
Payment for the term should be made in full, before lessons begin. Payment by cheque, cash or bank transfer are all accepted. If a pupil applies to begin lessons mid-term, they will only be required to pay pro-rata for the number of lessons remaining.
5. What happens if payment is late?
If payment is not made before lessons begin, lessons for that pupil could eventually be put on hold until full payment is received. No refund can be given for lessons missed because of late payment.
6. If you want to stop lessons
Please inform me in advance by phone, letter, text or email by half-term if you would like lessons to stop at the end of that term. There will be no refund if a pupil decides to stop part-way through a term.
7. If the teacher misses a lesson
If fewer than 10 lessons have been given in a term due to myself being ill/absent or inset/bank holidays, feel free to contact me to request a refund for the amount of lessons missed. This is an extremely rare occurrence though, as there are usually 12-13 weeks in each term.
8. If the pupil misses a lesson
Where lessons have been missed because the pupil has been absent due to occasional illness, school trips, examinations, forgetfulness, lateness, study leave or similar reasons, a refund will not be given, other than for special reasons such as prolonged illness.
9. Reporting on progress
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.
10. Obtaining an instrument and other items worth purchasing
All pupils need to have a guitar/bass for lessons and to practice with. Schools often have instruments available and local music shops offer a range of hire schemes. 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!