FAQ’s

FAQ’s

What can I do to help my child learn music?

  • Check in with your child’s teacher each week
  • Show support and enthusiasm for your child’s music by giving them encouragement and providing them with a quality instrument and all necessary materials.
  • Help your child establish a regular practice routine and oversee their practicing. Most children do not possess the discipline it takes to practice consistently. By monitoring their practicing, you’re helping them to develop discipline that will carry over into other areas of their life even in adulthood.
  • Listen to them practice and provide praise and encouragement. Set a tone that makes practicing fun and makes them want to practice. A sticker system works wonders for small children.
  • Parents of young children can practice and learn along with their kids. This can be a great bonding experience where both of you gain much more than musical skills.
  • Encourage your child to play for friends and relatives.
  • Bring your child to our group lessons. This is the part of their musical training that is really fun because of the social interaction and students see the results of all their practicing when they are playing with others.

How much practicing must I do?

  • For kids 4 or 5 years old, it is appropriate to practice 5 or 10 minutes at a time for 2 to 5 sessions per week. It helps when a parent practices along with their child. When your child starts to lose concentration or patience, it is time to stop, even if it is only a few minutes. It is more important that your child is having fun when playing than focusing on results. Stickers and positive reinforcement go a long way. Results will come in time but if your child is not having fun or being pushed beyond their concentration limits, your practice session is counter-productive. So, keep it enjoyable and fun!
  • Kids 6 to teenager should practice 5 days a week. For younger kids, 10-15 minutes a day is sufficient. As kids get older, anywhere from 20 – 45 minutes a day is appropriate. The key is consistency. It will be easier to keep that consistency if kids practice at the same time every day and developing a routine makes that easier. Kids need parental support and encouragement. Even though kids may like music lessons, they will not always practice without that encouragement. We are not born with patience and discipline, these qualities are that are developed. Parents that help their kids develop these qualities give them a tremendous gift because these same skills translate into many other areas besides music.
  • Older teenagers to adults Consistent practice is the best way to get results but it may not always be possible. It is important to remember that you are taking lessons to enrich your life and for your own enjoyment. The main thing is to keep trying even if you are unable to keep a consistent schedule.
  • See Practice Tips

What do I need for materials?

  • It is much easier to learn on a good quality instrument than a lower quality instrument. Students get results quicker and with less frustration when they are playing on a higher quality instrument. If you would like to try playing without investing much money, our rental option is a good way to start. We do not recommend buying any musical instruments from department stores. All other instruments are usually not a value because they are lower quality. Let’s Play Music carries instruments that are higher quality for prices similar to department stores and we inspect and service instruments we sell.
  • Students need the proper books as well to get the best results out of the lessons. All book materials usually fall in the $20 – $30 range for beginners.

I am an adult and have never studied music before, is it too late for me to learn?

  • We have many adults of all ages who start lessons as beginners and are able to learn to play.

As an adult wanting to learn, what can I expect for results?

  • For piano lessons, practicing 20 minutes a day five days a week, you will be able to play melodies that you recognize and sound good after about 3 months. After about 6 months, you should be able to play complete, easy arrangements of songs. About a year of study brings you to an intermediate level. The more you practice the better results you will get and you will learn much faster.
  • For guitar lessons, if you practice 20 minutes a day five days a week, you will be able to play chords on easy songs after about 2-3 months and more complicated riffs and rhythm playing comes after 6 months to a year of study. There is so much to know about music that there is always something to learn beyond that level. As with piano, the more you practice the better you will play and faster results will come.
  • For voice lessons, there is a certain amount of muscle strength that is needed in developing the vocal chords. Students start seeing results and increases in tone, range, and pitch after about 6 weeks to 3 months of lessons.
  • The key with all adult lessons is to have patience and give it time. The more time you put in, the better the results will be.

What if I am left-handed?

  • Most instruments are played the same way whether you are left-handed or right-handed with the exception of guitar and drums. If you are left-handed, try playing both left-handed and right-handed on either instrument. We recommend playing the way that is most comfortable for you. Your teacher can help you find the approach that is right for you.

What if my child has a learning disability or special needs?

  • Let’s Play Music has teachers that are trained to teach kids with a learning disabilities or special needs. Sometimes we need a curriculum geared toward that child’s needs, but sometimes it is a simple matter of understanding that child’s disability and adapting the teaching style. If we are made aware of any needs your child has when you enroll, we will schedule your child with a teacher who is equipped to handle your child’s needs.

Can I sit in the lesson with my child?

  • Yes, some parents of the young children actually learn along with their child. It is great bonding time and everyone benefits.

Do I need to purchase an instrument for my child?

  • Rent to see if your child likes lessons. If they do like it, you can continue renting or if you purchase within the first 2 months of lessons you can apply the rental towards a purchase at our studio. We carry quality instruments at a competitive price.

What if I go on autopay and my child doesn’t want to continue with lessons?

  • We have the same 2 week notice policy whether you are on autopay or not. If you have paid more than the two weeks’ notice required, we issue a refund on the balance when you request it.

Why must I pay a different rate if i am not on autopay?

  • There are administrative costs for us associated with collecting individual payments. We ask that all payments are made through our autopay except the first initial payment. We accept checking, savings or credit card payments on autopay. The different rate is to cover our additional administrative costs associated with tracking and collecting individual payments.

Do you teach summer lessons?

  • Yes, in fact summer is a great time for music lessons. Kids don’t have the pressures of school and can focus more on their instruments. Scheduling is more flexible in the summer because many students can come in during the day which frees up some afternoon and evening slots. We accommodate for vacations and summer camps as long as we have at least 24 hours’ notice. Some students will come in twice a month for an hour instead of four times a month for ½ hour.

If I am going to be out for a few weeks in the summer should I quit and then come back?

  • When students stop for period of time longer than a few weeks in the summer, they often find it frustrating when they return to lessons because it may take several lessons or more to get back to the level they were on before they stopped. By taking lessons on the weeks or times that they are in town, students are able to at least maintain or even raise the level of their playing during vacation periods.
  • Our fall scheduling begins on August 1st for September. Because available lesson times are limited, we give priority to students who stay enrolled through the summer. If a student stops for the summer, we still make every effort to accommodate fall schedules upon their return.

What if I can’t make a lesson?

  • We need 24 hours’ notice to reschedule the lesson as a private lesson. However, we offer make-up classes for students who cannot give 24 hours’ notice. These are group lessons offered once every six weeks or so. We post signup sheets on the bulletin boards in the studios with the dates offered. If you can’t make the class offered, you can always signup for the next one. Often, we cover concepts that work well in a group as opposed to private lessons such as conducting or playing together. If you are going to be absent and a makeup class is interesting to you, you are welcomed to come to a makeup class ahead of an absence.

What about snow days?

  • If roads are unsafe to drive on, we cancel lessons and reschedule for a mutually convenient time. We do not always follow the school schedule because conditions may be bad in the morning for school but may be fine by the afternoon and vice versa. If we stay open but you feel unsafe about driving due to road conditions, call us and we will make efforts to find another slot for you.