Bishop Music 

FAQ

 

1. Do I need a guitar and what type of guitar is best to start?  - Yes, you'll need a guitar so you can practice at home.   If you're just starting out, I'd recommend getting a guitar type that matches the type of music you'd like to play.  Rock and electric blues will most often use a solid body electric guitar.  Folk, folk/rock and acoustic country, rock and pop will use a steel string acoustic guitar, whereas classical uses a nylon string guitar.  Many beginning students, particularly children, begin on a nylon string because it is easier on the fingertips.  Jazz most often uses a hollow body electric guitar.  Children aged 6-10 years are best starting on a smaller guitar so they can comfortably reach the fingerboard.
    

2. What ages can you teach? - Ages 6 and up are welcome.  Student ages typically range from young children through retirement age.  Children often benefit from developing an extracurricular skill like music while older students can find the guitar to be an enriching part of their lives. 
    

3. Will students learn to read music? - Music reading is encouraged and offered but not mandatory.  This often depends on one's goals.  There are various reasons why learning to read music is very helpful and in some cases necessary (for example, playing in the school jazz band or learning classical guitar).  In many styles, however, there are a good percentage of excellent players who don't read music.  While I recommend learning to read, we can approach it on a per-case basis. 
    

4. What other materials will I need? - There will often be one or two books you'll be asked to purchase.  Every attempt will be made to keep these costs reasonable.   Lessons include materials I've developed through years of instruction, distributed as appropriate for the student's level of progress.  
    

5.  Do you teach any other instruments? - Yes, electric bass and ukulele lessons are also offered.