Music Lessons on the Guitar ::: Brian Wride - Uxbridge, Ontario

Lessons are currently $15 for a half-hour lesson. I anticipate that rates will increase in the fall of 2010.

I reserve the right to charge for lessons missed without adequate notice.

You will need a decent quality guitar and I strongly recommend an electronic tuner unless you are confident that you can tune your guitar by ear. Also, if you can afford it, a metronome is an excellent tool for learning music. A music stand would also be helpful.

Most importantly, you will need about half an hour per day to practice at least 5 days per week.

If a child is able to read and you can find a decent quality guitar that fits, then they are old enough. If your child has difficulty reading or has any other obstacles to learning let me know and we can probably work out a plan.

The biggest challenge to young players is finding a guitar that fits. "Parlour-sized" guitars are the smallest size of acoustic guitar that are generally available. A child needs to be able to comfortably reach the strings while sitting comfortably with the guitar sitting squarely on their lap. Some electric guitars are smaller if you can put up with the noise. A smaller child could also get started on a Baritone Ukelele (larger than a regular Ukelele) if you were to get the vendor to replace the fourth string with a string pitched an octave lower than standard (they'll know what you mean).

I am currently accepting students on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm.

In most cases, music lessons improve academic scores. Music lessons also help with self-discipline, confidence, and manual dexterity. Obviously, if your child's academic performance is negatively impacted by missing school for music lessons, then you should seek other options. I always recommend consulting with their teacher(s) when considering music lessons.

It is worth noting that the Ontario Education Act (section 21, sub-section 2e) allows for missing school for music lessons.

Many of my school-aged students have found that taking lessons during the day is actually easier to schedule into their busy lives. Organized sports and other extra-curricular activities are competing for space outside of the school day, and being able to schedule music lessons during the day frees up more time outside of school hours.

You should buy your guitar from a reputable music store. You can usually buy a decent acoustic guitar for $250 - $300 and you can usually get a good tuner and metronome for under $50 each. You may also be able to negotiate a package price.

You should NOT buy your instrument at a "big box" store. While these instruments are less expensive and often carry reputable brand names they are generally of inferior quality and often they are not adjustable or repairable. It is noteworthy that there is a 70% drop-out rate among students using an instrument purchased at a "big box" store.

Also, in the event that you drop out or upgrade your instrument, a brand-name guitar purchased from a reputable music store will retain much more of its value.

You can check the Resources page for a list of reputable guitar retailers in the Uxbridge area.

Its not a question I get a lot, but its a good one. Right now, 75% of my students have been with me for over a year.

Give me a call: 905-852-6131