Got a question to ask before starting lessons?
At what age can I start learning guitar?
Ideally at 8 years old, as some basic arithmetic and language is welcome.
On the other hand, it’s never too late if you are an adult keen to start. Besides the fun of learning some tunes to share when you meet friends, the guitar helps you relax after a hard working day. As guitar legend Steve Vai said when asked why he still practices a lot despite having a wife and kids – “The guitar always speaks nice to me!”.
The Chinese idiom has it that “the journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step”! So start today!
What if my son/daughter is younger than 8?
Kids 4-7 find it more fun in a same age group scenario. At my Mod 3 : Parent & Child Guitar or Mod 4 : Parent & Child Uke courses, parent/guardian are invited to join in FREE, to ensure that revision at home is in the same fun method used in class. The ukulele is especially easy and hence more recommended for kids aged 4-7.
How does a guitar vary from a bass, and from a ukulele?
Bass guitars are bigger than guitars that are bigger than ukes (as per pic to right). By size & tuning they go as follows : E A D G (bass), E A D G B E (guitar), D G B E (baritone uke), G C E A (tenor, concert & soprano ukuleles).
The bass is an accompanying instrument, while guitar and ukulele can both be played on their own.
For complete beginners, please read this page including vidz clearly explains the differences.
Which of the 3 guitars – folk acoustic, classic or electric – is ideal to start on, and what size?
Although older students (& sometimes teens) tend to already have a clear idea whether to go acoustic (steel/ nylon) or electric, this decision can also be taken at the 1st lesson due to the different techniques different guitars demand.
5 basics rules –
a) the thinner the guitar, the easier to play;
b) an entry level beginners guitar costs
– for kids : ~ £90 (guitar), ~£25 (ukulele),
– for adults : ~ £90 (electric), ~ £60 (acoustic & ukulele).
You might find cheaper, but the quality may affect your playing, and highly not suggested;
c) an electric guitar is the easiest to play, but comes with a ~ £30 amp extra cost;
d) for acoustic guitars & ukes, colour varnish ruins the sound;
e) nylon strung classic guitars have too wide a neck for beginners. Buy only if a teen/adult wanting to specifically learn classical/latin/flamenco.
Match your height to different guitar sizes at this link before you buy.
Which of the 4 types of ukuleles is ideal to start on?
Please read the ukulele page before buying.
Do I need to buy a guitar/ukulele before starting?
For individual lessons, I suggest we talk about this at your 1st lesson, especially if buying a 2nd hand. Meanwhile, no lesson time will go lost as I’ll show you how to apply some music basics using 1 of my instruments. Generally speaking, most students figure out all the notes on every fret of every guitar string in less than 15minutes. Not only is it easy, but from day 1, you are immersed in the fundamental basis to become a musician i.e. to create away from one’s instrument. The guitar is only a tool of choice, the music is inside you! How? Come and discover how easy it is!
For group lessons, the participant is to bring their own ukulele or guitar (3/4 size for kids less than 140cm tall). Read above for a price guide.
Do I have to visit the tutor for a lesson, or does the tutor come to me?
The choice is yours! I can visit you in the comfort of your own home OR you can pay less by visiting my studio equipped with many guitars, a synth, a bass, a uke, and industry-standard software, media and hardware to make your learning experience easier!!!
Furthermore, you can take lessons online or join a group course.
Click for prices to all above.
What is if I am not based in London?
Individual lessons are available internationally online. All you need is internet, a cam and a mic. On my side, I am equipped with a same + a mixer to transmit multi-chnl audio as 1 soundwave to you! I also can teach in Italian, Maltese & German if English is not your main language.
Should I read music, or will I be able to play my favourite tunes with less effort?
As a beginner, there is no need to learn musical notation. It will be however later introduced in small measures to improve your sense of rhythm, and help you understand and learn from varied music styles & non-guitarists. The bottom line will be to have fun and read effortlessly, just as one learns to read their own mother tongue the more they speak it.
I used to learn guitar when younger but quit as I found it hard. How can I stay motivated if I try again?
Our learning skills sharpen as we mature into adults. So if you tried learning guitar when younger but it wasn’t a successful experience for whatever reason (e.g. it was just a school subject and your interest in music then was less, or you were pushed by your parents, etc), the probability you stopped was that you were not going places, as challenges faced were not overcome, and hence your motivation went downhill.
But learning is understanding. As a teenager/young adult understands more the aims behind exercises, this makes for faster learning & mastering anything sooner, which in turn keeps you motivated about what’s next vs thinking about challenges. Positive thinking!
Like any language you learn at school and then abandon, if life leads you to learn it again in a foreign country, learning comes back easily. Learning by doing.
How long will it take to see an improvement in my playing?
Whether you come to me as a beginner, or as one who has already been playing for a while, progress depends on how regularly YOU practise.
I like to view lessons as 2 friends working as a team to achieve one goal, a goal which you the student sets. While I (as tutor) am responsible to ensure that you understand the stuff we cover & help you make realistic goals, our team success highly depends on how regularly you (the student) practise. So, to achieve your goal, you need to polish up what is covered during a lesson to understand the next lesson more comfortably. 10mins a day for beginners is fine! As the Indian proverb goes – “The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time!”
Do I have to sit for exams?
Of course not!!! Music making is all about fun. That said, it is known that exams generally make one push oneself to achieve results within a set time-frame. So once I deem you ready to successfully pass an exam, I would suggest it, and then you decide whether to take it or not. Plus it is more fun to have a qualification not? Some guitar boards are totally accredited as equivalent to GCSE O and A Levels up to Bachelors and Masters, and would therefore come in handy one way or another.
Why learn with a tutor when I can learn online?
Think of yourself as an illustrator with great ideas! You might have quite forward-thinking art in your head but as you have never studied drawing or graphic art, you lack the skill to become a painter or designer. And the hard truth is that all the ideas in the world will not change that!
Same with music, while the internet is full of info, not all of it is put up by experienced players/tutors, and hence inaccurate info is as easy to find as accurate one. Which is why many who start alone online, eventually call a tutor to learn. Simply because the time spent finding the right info does not compare to how faster one learns by just calling a tutor, experienced in making anything the easiest way possible. And the sooner you learn, the more motivated you will be to learn more!
Should I sign up for group or individual lessons?
Here are the key points for you to compare
Individual lessons are spec-tailored to one’s needs, come with more flexibility (your choice of 30 or 50mins lessons; taken whenever you want, may be taught in English, German, Italian & Maltese, etc.).
Group modules come only in 50 min sessions, offer the fun challenge to regularly compare yourself with others, less workload between lessons, cost less, run in English only, regular attendance is in your interest (i.e. skipped lessons can not be repeated for group to progress steadily)
If uncertain what suits you best, please call (no text) 07983868507.
Why choose Cool Gool Music for your tuition?
If you decide to learn with me, you are allowing me to share with you my foremost love in life – MUSIC! Being so passionate about it, you only got to gain a new friend who puts your musical dreams as the core of your lessons’ direction. Do not take my word, just read what some students had to say.
Group lessons related FAQs.
I am not a beginner. Do you have a group course for me?
Yes! There are courses for advanced beginners (ideal if you play already but never took lessons), intermediate and advanced players. Anything from pop to rock to metal to jazz or whatever your style, Cool Gool Music can help you.
Do you also teach other instruments besides guitar?
Yes – bass, ukulele, ear-training (for all instruments), music theory and harmony (for all instruments). Read about all modules here.
How do I confirm my slot for group lessons?
You can pay directly via paypal at the booking page, or if you don’t have paypal, once you book, you’ll receive an email how to pay & the deadline date to pay it. Your slot is confirmed once you effect payment.
How many students will there be in a group session?
Anything from 3 to 8 max to ensure personal attention for all.
There is a course announced on your website, which clashes with prior commitments. However, I really would like to start learning as soon as possible.
Please book and once 3 people register for your same course, I’ll contact you all to start on a mutually suitable date. Please supply as many availabilities as possible to make this easier! And if you recommend friends, you get rewarded £10 for each who enrols.
Where do the courses run?
Currently, all courses may run from either of
– Cool Gool Music, 3 Tillett Square SE16 6HR; Canada Water Studios, Vancouver House, Surrey Quays Rd, SE16 7BW; Docklands Settlements Rotherhithe Community Centre, 400 Salter Rd SE16 5LJ;
– other centers London-wide – the more students booked in any area, the sooner a course is held there, so spread the word by forwarding this poster (+ get £10 for each friend who enrols).
Your question unanswered?
Please call (no text) 07983868507 (daily till midnight).
Interested in lessons?
