Are private lessons right for me?

It’s less a question of if lessons are right, but whether you are getting the right lessons. Quality lessons will work to build practice habits, essential technique, maintain motivation, build confidence, and ultimately leave each student with the ability to understand their own playing and teach themselves as they grow.

How much will I need to practice?

Rather than worrying about specific practice requirements, it helps to find ways to integrate practicing into your daily life. A quality practice schedule should work around your time, energy, and inspiration throughout each day. Beginner students usually start around 10-20 minutes a day, and more advanced students practice anywhere from 45-90 minutes a day. We will work together to find a practice routine that works for you.

Will I be required or pressured to perform?

I can’t tell you how many students ask this in our first lesson with a hint of worry already in their voice. The quick answer is: no. Will there be opportunities to play in recitals, masterclasses, festivals, and other performance formats? Yes! Performing is a very personal experience for every musician, and we will work together in lessons to build confidence and performance capabilities for any student who is interested.

What if I am only interested in learning a certain style?

Whether you are interested in anything from traditional fiddle playing to electric and amplified styles, we can focus on building skills and technique for these areas. In beginner lessons we start by building a strong foundation that can branch into any style of playing.

Do I need an instrument before our first lesson?

Believe it or not, the answer is no! If you are still deciding whether or not to purchase your instrument, we can still meet for our first free trial lesson, learn about the instrument, and answer any questions you may have regarding your next steps. I highly recommend this if you are on the fence about your instrument purchase or investment in lessons.

Will I need to sit in on my child’s lessons?

This is one of my favorite questions because it is so important. Your involvement as a parent plays a significant role in the success of your child’s lessons, practice, and ultimately their fulfillment as musicians. We keep this involvement flexible to see what works best for each student. Some students focus and self-manage much better when they are in their lesson independently, and some when they are accompanied by a parent. Whether or not you sit in on lessons, we will stay in communication about our lesson progress and practice goals each week.