Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Paul travel to me for lessons? What areas does he teach in?
Paul offers convenient scheduling and travels to you for lessons. Paul currently teaches lesson in Easthampton,
Northampton, Southampton, Westhampton, Holyoke, Hadley, Amherst, and other neighboring towns in the Pioneer Valley /
Western Massachusetts area. If you live in a Western Massachusetts town not listed, please contact Paul for availability. He
may be teaching other student in your town and may be available on select days to travel to your location.
2. Should I choose weekly or biweekly lessons?
Weekly lessons are recommended if possible.
3. I'm an adult with little or no musical experience. Am I too old to start?
It's a misconception that you MUST start young to become proficient at music. As with anything else, some people show more
of a natural proficiency than others, but the amount of PRACTICE and DEDICATION is what levels the playing field! Adult
learners are often more successful than young learners because they often have better attention spans and are able to show
more discipline when it comes to regular practice. The important thing to remember is, it's not exactly easy for anyone to
learn. Expecting to play masterfully after only a few lessons will inevitably lead to disappointment. Your level of committment
will determine your level of success.
4. I'd like to get my child involved in music. How old must children be for lessons?
Generally, the recommended age to begin 'serious' instruction on the guitar is 10. Younger children may find it difficult or
uncomfortable to achieve many hand positions and their small fingers can make it hard to achieve the required pressure on
the strings. But if you or your child is particularly eager to begin, younger students can be accomodated. Lessons are geared
toward a general introduction to music with a strong focus on having fun with very simple chords and melodies.
5. Why are lessons required to be prepaid monthly?
This policy is common amongst most professional instructors. (Most local music schools actually require an entire semester of
prepayment!) Professional instructors find that prepayment helps reduce untimely student cancellations. Time is valuable and
if you schedule lessons and then decide not to attend, that is a time slot that could have been filled by another student.
Makeups are offered for appointments cancelled with 24 hours notice, or in case of emergency.
New students are scheduled just for a single, introductory lesson so you can decide if it's right for you.
6. I'd like to try it out, but I'm not sure...
That's understandable! Some people take to it right away, and some may find it's just not for them. New students are
scheduled for a single introductory lesson only. You can decide afterwards if it's right for you. If you don't have an instrument
yet, Paul can bring one along for the introductory session. Why not give it a try?
7. Do I need my own instrument?
If you're just trying out music instruction for the very first time, Paul can provide a guitar for the introductory lesson. However,
he cannot provide rentals or loaners for you to take home at this time.
Paul recommends purchasing an instrument. There are many good quality starter instruments available at very low
pricepoints. It will more than pay for itself over just a few months versus renting, and music shops are always willing to buy
used instruments.If you need an instrument, Paul can recommend several good places to start and brands to look for.
8. Am I going to learn to read music?
In the beginning, all students will focus on fairly similar basics. After that, it's up to you and how serious you are about
learning. It's not required that you learn to read music, but serious students will benefit. In the beginning, as you are learning
basic proficiency, most students find it easier to read guitar tablature. As you progress, you will begin to learn more about
music theory and learn to read musical notation.
9. I don't want to learn fancy music stuff... I just want to ROCK! Lessons probably
aren't for me.
There's a misconception that if you sit down with a guitar long enough, you can learn how to play it without instruction.
Certainly, lots of players make it look very easy and some were largely self taught. But you can be assured that SOMEONE,
somewhere, sat down with them to teach them at least basic chords and the layout of the guitar. Trying to go it alone is
frustrating! Which is why so many would-be guitarists eventually give up. Time won't equal success if you don't have a
roadmap. Many of Paul's students are future rockers who like to concentrate on learning popular songs, learning the basics
of composition and practicing awesome metal licks and tricks. In the end, no matter what your musical leaning or goals, you're
going to be a lot better off with some help and save yourself a lot of frustration!
10. Have a question for Paul?
Feel free to ask. Email GuitarWithPaul@gmail.com
1. Does Paul travel to me for lessons? What areas does he teach in?
Paul offers convenient scheduling and travels to you for lessons. Paul currently teaches lesson in Easthampton,
Northampton, Southampton, Westhampton, Holyoke, Hadley, Amherst, and other neighboring towns in the Pioneer Valley /
Western Massachusetts area. If you live in a Western Massachusetts town not listed, please contact Paul for availability. He
may be teaching other student in your town and may be available on select days to travel to your location.
2. Should I choose weekly or biweekly lessons?
Weekly lessons are recommended if possible.
3. I'm an adult with little or no musical experience. Am I too old to start?
It's a misconception that you MUST start young to become proficient at music. As with anything else, some people show more
of a natural proficiency than others, but the amount of PRACTICE and DEDICATION is what levels the playing field! Adult
learners are often more successful than young learners because they often have better attention spans and are able to show
more discipline when it comes to regular practice. The important thing to remember is, it's not exactly easy for anyone to
learn. Expecting to play masterfully after only a few lessons will inevitably lead to disappointment. Your level of committment
will determine your level of success.
4. I'd like to get my child involved in music. How old must children be for lessons?
Generally, the recommended age to begin 'serious' instruction on the guitar is 10. Younger children may find it difficult or
uncomfortable to achieve many hand positions and their small fingers can make it hard to achieve the required pressure on
the strings. But if you or your child is particularly eager to begin, younger students can be accomodated. Lessons are geared
toward a general introduction to music with a strong focus on having fun with very simple chords and melodies.
5. Why are lessons required to be prepaid monthly?
This policy is common amongst most professional instructors. (Most local music schools actually require an entire semester of
prepayment!) Professional instructors find that prepayment helps reduce untimely student cancellations. Time is valuable and
if you schedule lessons and then decide not to attend, that is a time slot that could have been filled by another student.
Makeups are offered for appointments cancelled with 24 hours notice, or in case of emergency.
New students are scheduled just for a single, introductory lesson so you can decide if it's right for you.
6. I'd like to try it out, but I'm not sure...
That's understandable! Some people take to it right away, and some may find it's just not for them. New students are
scheduled for a single introductory lesson only. You can decide afterwards if it's right for you. If you don't have an instrument
yet, Paul can bring one along for the introductory session. Why not give it a try?
7. Do I need my own instrument?
If you're just trying out music instruction for the very first time, Paul can provide a guitar for the introductory lesson. However,
he cannot provide rentals or loaners for you to take home at this time.
Paul recommends purchasing an instrument. There are many good quality starter instruments available at very low
pricepoints. It will more than pay for itself over just a few months versus renting, and music shops are always willing to buy
used instruments.If you need an instrument, Paul can recommend several good places to start and brands to look for.
8. Am I going to learn to read music?
In the beginning, all students will focus on fairly similar basics. After that, it's up to you and how serious you are about
learning. It's not required that you learn to read music, but serious students will benefit. In the beginning, as you are learning
basic proficiency, most students find it easier to read guitar tablature. As you progress, you will begin to learn more about
music theory and learn to read musical notation.
9. I don't want to learn fancy music stuff... I just want to ROCK! Lessons probably
aren't for me.
There's a misconception that if you sit down with a guitar long enough, you can learn how to play it without instruction.
Certainly, lots of players make it look very easy and some were largely self taught. But you can be assured that SOMEONE,
somewhere, sat down with them to teach them at least basic chords and the layout of the guitar. Trying to go it alone is
frustrating! Which is why so many would-be guitarists eventually give up. Time won't equal success if you don't have a
roadmap. Many of Paul's students are future rockers who like to concentrate on learning popular songs, learning the basics
of composition and practicing awesome metal licks and tricks. In the end, no matter what your musical leaning or goals, you're
going to be a lot better off with some help and save yourself a lot of frustration!
10. Have a question for Paul?
Feel free to ask. Email GuitarWithPaul@gmail.com
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Paul Amos
