Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question below.
What lesson slots are available?
Check the lesson availability page here. If none of those slots fit contact Scott as often something can be worked out to fit you in anyway. Otherwise you can be added to the cancellation list.
If you are full, or none of the available slots suit, do you have a waiting list?
Yes but rather than a waiting list where you wait for a regular slot to open up; we use a cancellation list which allows you to still get lessons but less regularly and probably not in the same time slot each lesson. It works on a first come first served basis - when we get a cancellation, and a slot opens up for that week, we will phone the person at the top of the list; if they can't make it we'll phone the next person and so on. Once you get a lesson you're placed at the bottom of the list to allow the next person on the list a chance to get a lesson. If you aren't able to take the available slot offered you will remain in your position on the list.
I can only make it once every two weeks is that ok?
Yes although it's less than ideal from a learning point of view we understand sometimes it can not be helped when shift work or commitments to a sports team are involved. Payment is exactly the same as if you were coming weekly - remember we don't charge for specific dates only lessons. With fortnightly lessons we will try to fit you in with another fortnightly person and you would alternate with them this makes coordinating our timetables much easier.
Do you only teach privately or can you teach groups?
We mostly teach private lessons as they offer the most focused kind of lesson but that is not to say we don't teach group lessons, we do and are at the moment. Group lessons are usually for two friends who would like to learn together; it can be a fun way to learn and has benefits private lessons don't where one student helps the other and there is of course the opportunity to work towards forming your very own band! Something your teacher will be able to give advice on.
Do you offer gift vouchers?
Yes you can purchase gift vouchers for Christmas presents or birthdays. Normally one block of lessons (four) is enough to give the recipient a good taster to see if they want to continue. Lessons should be booked within a year of the voucher being purchased. Money for the voucher is non-refundable under any circumstances, we will happily accept a transfer of the voucher to someone else who would prefer it or you could even use the money for work on a guitar.
Must I own a guitar before I can start lessons?
Strictly speaking no - we can set you up with a guitar to rent or give advice on what guitar to use to get started. It might surprise you to learn that acoustic guitars aren't always the place to start. It does depend on age and size of the student but money is no longer the reason not to get started with an electric guitar; packages starting from as little as £50 can be found and after a setup from Scott they'll play as good as something twice that price. If you decide to rent a guitar there will be a deposit of around £50 (which you get back when you stop renting) and a rental fee of £5 per week. If you decide that you like the guitar you can choose to buy it from us in which case we just keep your deposit. Contact Scott for best advice on which guitar you should start with.
I don't even know how to tune a guitar is that ok?
Yep don't worry we'll show you how to tune your guitar as part of your lessons.
I own a guitar but it's broken can you help?
Yes - after several years of fixing his own guitars Scott decided to learn how to setup, repair and maintain guitars using methods taught by Dan Erlewine of Stewart MacDonald and with 8 years experience there aren't many problems that can't be fixed. From electronics fixes to fret buzzes and upgrades Scott has a virtual armoury of specialised equipment to work on guitars, no using your eye to judge action distance on a guitar. Using these specialist diagnostic tools the setup of a guitar can be judged to within a thousandth of an inch! Paintwork touch-ups and refurbishment to full re-sprays can also be catered for[link here].
What age should you be to start learning the guitar?
From experience we would suggest 7yrs old as a minimum starting point as the necessary coordination skills for playing the guitar and understanding posture are ready by this age. We have taught persons younger than this and some have continued on for many years to become very able guitarists. If you are unsure it's best to give it a go - you should get a good idea after a block (4) of lessons. Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons for younger children if it helps them to feel a bit more confident but it should be stressed they are there for moral support only not teaching, leave that to the teachers.
Am I too late in life to start learning the guitar?
Of course not! We have taught students into their 70s and found the lessons to be an enjoyable experience for everyone. We also understand that adults have more responsibilities than children so you needn't worry about other commitments getting in the way we'll tailor your lessons so that if you get no practice during the week we simply use your lesson as an intense 1 hours practice session. No new stuff to learn just coaching on what you had from the previous lesson. This way you keep your hand in and are more likely to continue progressing with a satisfying hobby than give up because of other commitments.
Do you offer exams for grading my level on the guitar?
Yes we use the Rock School system which is used in secondary schools for grading. This is a benefit for teenagers sitting standard grades and highers performance exams. However, school exams is not the reason for choosing this system - simply put it is the best sounding graded system that we have found. The tunes are aimed at electric guitar in the wider genre of rock music and they sound pretty good. By following the system you'll develop techniques, soloing skills, some rhythm playing and how to play with a band. The exams will be held in Glasgow, three times a year and you can be put forward for any level of exam without needing the preceding exams to be sat so you could start at grade 3 or 5. We will make sure you are thoroughly prepared for the exam beforehand thus allowing your money for the exam (£50 approx.) to be well spent. Check out the Rock School web site for more info on exams and grading.
Do you have any advice for someone buying their first guitar?
Buy cheap and then have it set up. Guitars are not the expensive instrument they once were especially electric guitars which can be found for £50 including amps, leads, plectrums etc. This is thanks to the mass production of the instruments in other parts of the world. Due to the nature of mass production the guitars are usually of pretty poor quality when first out of the box - that's where a setup comes in. Set ups are like a service on a car; parts are replaced if necessary, other parts are tuned to get the whole package running nicely. They also make the guitar easier to play - an important aspect for the beginner. As stated in "I own a guitar but it's broken can you help?" above, Scott has many years experience setting up and repairing guitars so it's no problem to get it done. In the past Scott has sourced and set up electric guitar packages for £80 all in and the guitar is playing as well as something double that price. What about acoustic guitars? - in this case you should be more careful acoustic guitars have less options available when it comes to setting up so you may end up with something that's really difficult to play even after the guitar has been set up as far as possible. Your best bet is to contact Scott if you're thinking of going for a really cheap acoustic as there are some good ones out there but you do need to know where to look.
Other Questions
Click on the link below to send a question to Scott.