Note To Parents Of Minor Students

My top priority is to give my students the best guitar lessons I can provide. I am committed to doing that in a safe and positive environment.

I teach children as young as age 10. Children, and most teens, cannot take music lessons without the support of their parents. This means that you are my customers even though you may not be the ones in the lessons. Accordingly, I’ve written a Parental Bill of Rights.

With rights come responsibilities. If the student is too young to drive and is not paying for the lessons, it's up to you to ensure he or she arrives on time. If a lesson needs to be cancelled or rescheduled, calling me to reschedule is your job and not the student's. Expecting a child or young teen to do something you aren't up to yourself (such as remembering lesson times or making phone calls to reschedule) is not fair to the child or to me.

I encourage you to sit in on your child's lessons with me so that you can see what your child is supposed to practice, and how the practice must occur. Simply goofing around with the guitar or playing for fun is important, and everyone needs to do at least some of that, but it's not the same as practice. I’d like for you to hear what correct practice sounds like so that you recognize it later and don’t confuse it with playing for fun.

Your child will have a notebook, and I encourage you to read it. I also encourage the student to keep a practice log to record what he or she practices, and for how long. This log may be as detailed as you like.

My home studio has a comfortable living room with a full, unobstructed view of the teaching area. Feel free to relax and have something to drink. I keep tea, water, and coffee.

The last five minutes of the lesson is for questions and answers, for you and also for the student. If there's something on your mind please speak up.

Feel free to tape record the lesson. Videotape it if you like. I have always believed that reviewing the tape or video of a lesson is a valuable learning tool. I used to tape all my lessons with Jamie and I'd transcribe them afterwards. I encourage anyone to do the same.

Please pick your children up on time. If I have to leave for a mobile lesson, your child cannot remain in my home unattended. My next-door neighbors to the north have a licensed day care center, and for a fee they may be able to accommodate those who need child care before or after the lesson.

Since my full and undivided attention must be on the lesson, I cannot accommodate children besides the student, unless you are present to supervise them.

Parent's Bill Of Rights

1. You have the right to watch any or all of your child's lessons in person, to record the lessons, and/or to monitor them remotely however you see fit.

2. You have the right to be informed about your child's progress, and to ask any question you like during the last five minutes of the lesson.

3. You have the right to read your child's lesson notebook and to monitor his or her practice log.

4. You have the right to veto any repertoire song you believe to be inappropriate based on its lyric content.

5. You have the right to full instructional value for your dollar, and to get every minute of instruction you pay for.

6. You have the right to a receipt for any and all lesson payments.