Again, thank you for checking out my website. Obviously if you are on this page you are seriously thinking about taking personal one on one guitar lesions. Below are some questions you should be asking any prospective guitar instructor.

 1. How long have you taught guitar lessons?

I started teaching one on one guitar lessons over 30 years ago for Valley Arts Guitars in Studio City. I went on to teach at Dick Groves School of Music as their Rock and Roll instructor. This was a classroom setting with 20+ students at the same time.

2. How many students do you currently have?

I currently have 42 regular students coming to my home studio and 3 students that I teach online. I have an additional 8 students that are more advanced and do not require the weekly routine.

3. Where do you teach?

Primarily I teach out of my home in a designated studio set up for teaching. I also teach online via Skype.

 4. Are you comfortable reading music?

Yes. Please click on WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN for topics we can cover.

 5. What is your music education background?

I started taking lessons at the age of eleven. I have a degree in music from LA Valley College and continued with music at California State University Northridge. However my greatest musical training came from Master Guitar Teacher Ted Greene. I highly recommend checking out this site: http://tedgreene.com/ I studied with him for over 25 years.

6. What styles of music do you teach?

Please click on WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN for a synopsis of the many styles and skills I can teach you.

7. What is your cancellation policy?

I require a 24 hour cancellation policy in order for you not to be charged.

8. What openings do you have?

In general I teach Sunday through Friday 9 am. to 6 pm.  I am a working musician playing shows and concert type events that usually take place on the weekends.

9. Do you teach from specific instructional books or personal lesson plans?

Both! For learning how to read music I teach from instructional books. For theory and general concepts I use personal lesson plans that I have developed over the years.

10. What is your payment policy?

You can purchase lessons one at a time or buy in a block of monthly lessons. My recommendation is to book a group of lessons for the following reasons:

•  You get a 10% discount on a group of 4 lessons (one month’s worth)

•  It keeps you motivated to practice

•  You are consistently improving on the previous weeks lesson material

•  It allows me to quickly assess and correct any technique difficulties that can become bad habits

 11.  Can I be present while my child takes a lesson?

YES! Parents are welcome.

General Questions About The Guitar and Learning How To Play

 12.  How long will it take me to learn to play the guitar?

My quick answer is … “The guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play and one of the hardest to master.”  With that being said, you can expect to be playing guitar after one lesson. How far you want to take it is totally up to you. In a couple of months (assuming that you are practicing) you will have the ability to play songs with friends. As you progress the guitar opens up into a vast area of learning that will keep you going the rest of your life. Click here for SOME OF THE STYLES I CAN TEACH YOU.

 13. Should I buy an electric or an acoustic guitar?

It depends on what you want to do. If you enjoy singing simple tunes by yourself or playing with friends just strumming away, then an acoustic is the way to go. On the other hand if you are interested in Rock and Roll, Jazz, Blues (especially single line soloing) electric is for you! Keep in mind that you can play almost anything on any type of guitar but there will be limitations. If you are a beginner, I recommend an inexpensive acoustic guitar to start out with. As you progress, you will soon figure out what kind of guitar(s) you will want to own. WARNING – Save your money – you can never have enough guitars! HA!

14. Should I use a pick or fingers?

How about both? The answer comes down to what kind of music you want to play. If you are interested in classical music then you will use your fingers exclusively.  If you want to be a bluegrass flat picker then the pick will be your primary choice.  Right hand technique can be a major study all by itself. Many players end up using a combination of fingers, flat picks, and finger picks.

15. How often and how long should I practice? 

Short answer:  As much as you can for as long as you can!  I have been teaching and have taken lessons for many years.  My personal experience has shown me time and time again that it is about the consistency rather than the hours put in. (Quality vs. Quantity) If you put in 15 min a day for example, rather than an hour and a half one day a week, you will see a greater improvement on the guitar by the end of that week. Realistically, try to shoot for ½ to 1 hour a day and the rewards will be tremendous. Remember, the daily routine is the key.

 16.  Should I learn to read music?

Quick answer – YES!  Do I have to read music? – NO! There are many musicians who cannot read music, i.e.  Paul McCartney! On the other hand, reading music is the language of the musician. It is one of the ways in which musicians communicate. Reading music is like any written language, it is one of the ways human beings communicate. However reading music is  one small part of learning guitar. For a list of topics (reading being one of them) please click on WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LEARN

 17. Should I take private guitar lessons?

Nothing can substitute learning guitar in a one on one setting. Please click on WHY PERSONAL INSTRUCTION for a more detailed explanation.

18. Do you teach on line?

Yes, while it is better to be face to face, in the same room, I do have students that live out of my area. Lessons via Skype are available. Please click on CONTACT RICKY to make arrangements.

19.  Are videos and DVD’s a good way to learn guitar?

Yes as a supplement. However, not all of them are very instructional. There are many DVDs and videos made by some of the best players in the world but just because you are great player does not make you a great teacher.

 If after reading this you still have additional questions or comments, please click on CONTACT RICKY

Keep on playn’

Ricky Katz