Frequently asked questions at a glance …
Can I come and take a free trial lesson or free trial session?
No! Free trial lessons, in my opinion, are guitar teachers and music coaches who are insecure and self-doubting. I have 20 years of experience in training and coaching musicians, have been playing music for 40 years and am also active as a producer. I proudly call myself a mentor and expert in the field, and guarantee the highest quality. Are you looking for a top-level music coach, someone who has patience, someone who listens, observes and analyzes, someone who focuses on the qualities, possibilities and interests of the student and all this with the necessary dose of fun and humor? Then you’re guaranteed to be in the right place with me, and neither of us need a free trial session for that! See you soon!
What should I bring to guitar lessons or bass lessons?
Bring your own guitar or bass guitar, unless you don’t have one yet and want to discuss which guitar or bass guitar you should buy. You may bring your own capodaster (capo) and picks. For the rest, everything else is available here. Oh well, very important: don’t forget to bring a big smile and lots of humor – you’ll come here to learn and have fun!
Is it still possible to learn to play the guitar and music later in life?
Is your favorite music 50s-60s-70s-80s ? Are you looking for a new challenging hobby, or do you want to improve your guitar or drum technique? You’ve always wanted to learn how to play music, but never got around to it? Do your favorite groups belong to classics like AC/DC, BB King, Beatles, Bill Haley, Black Sabbath, Blues Brothers, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Cheap Trick, Chic, Chuck Berry, Cream, Deep Purple, Dire Straits, Eagles, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Free, Gary Moore, Golden Earring, Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, John Lee Hooker, Johnny Cash, Kinks, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, Robert Johnson, Robert Palmer, Rolling stones, Status Quo, Sex Pistols, Simon & Garfunkel, The Byrds, The Clash, The Police, ZZ-Top … Or rather smooth jazz? I often hear it: “I am no longer 18 years old, can I still learn to play guitar or drums?”. Yes you can! The threshold is often high, but the enthusiasm is all the greater after the first music lesson! The guitar lessons or bass guitar lessons are fully adapted to your learning tempo and your own taste in music: 50s. 60, 70, etc. Even if you have absolutely no knowledge or experience with music or rhythm (such as dancing), we start at smooth learning tempo and learn to play songs that you know well from the first lesson. Well-known songs are easier to learn and play, and often motivate much more. You can start with a classical guitar, acoustic guitar or electric guitar … the choice is yours. The guitar lessons and bass guitar lessons are practice-oriented with the main focus being the fun factor.
Can it happen that you have to adjust other settings to your guitar when you place a new set of strings of different thickness?
That’s right. Different thickness of strings gives a different tension, so the neck and bridge possibly have to be adjusted again, and sometimes even the nut has to be filed. That is why it is best to have your guitar adjusted / tuned to a certain type of strings, and then always use the same strings.
You don’t need any theory knowledge to become a good guitarist… yes and no …
That’s completely true. But from a certain level, music theory works wonders. You start understanding more things, make connections, and gain more insight. The result is simple: because you have more insight, you will also better understand what you play, what you do and what you need to practice. With more knowledge of music theory, you will probably need less practice on your instrument. Already hours of time saved and your body less strained, nice!
Teaching material
The teaching material used for the guitar lessons is self-made. In the beginning, two things will be taught: reading tablature and playing chords. Reading notes on score is not even necessary for a beginner guitarist and even for some advanced guitarists. You will receive all the teaching material during the lessons, so it is not necessary to purchase books, etc. If you have questions about specific songs of your band or cover band, or if you have questions about songs that you write yourself, you can always bring it with you.
Musical styles
Rock, Pop, Blues, Funk, Disco, Metal, …? After we have a good foundation, we can play your favorite music step-by-step. The most important thing is that a good foundation is laid first, especially if you have never come into contact with playing the guitar. In addition, you can learn something from every style of music, but playing the guitar is of course most fun when you can play music that you like.
What are chords
With chords you can accompany yourself and/or other musicians or vocalists. A chord is a combination of at least two notes. A lot of popular hit songs even consist of 3 or 4 chords!
I can already play guitar, but I know little about hardware, FX, sounds and techniques!
It is possible to follow lessons in technology: multi-FX, system effects, amplifiers, filter banks, cabling, controllers, automation, MIDI, sampling, recording and editing, … . Or if desired, the necessary attention can also be paid to technique during the regular guitar lesson.
What do I need as a starter guitarist?
Electric guitar, cable, tuner, metronome, picks, spare strings, guitar stand, guitar carrying case, amplifier (with or without built-in effects). A complete starter package is already available from +- 300 euros (new price).
I am absent during a lesson … ?
When registering, a booking is made at a certain hour. The teacher puts a lot of energy and time into preparing for your arrival. That is why in your absence (illness, circumstances, etc) the lesson is not refundable or feasible. It is always nice for the teacher to know in advance when they will be absent.
From what age can you take lessons?
The individual music lessons are from the age of 10.
Should I practice at home and how often?
Regular practice is important! Better to exercise regularly but focussed, than irregularly and for a long time: daily practice for 10 minutes leads to better and faster results than 8 hours of practice once a week.
Help… I have a classical/concert guitar (nylon strings)!
The classical guitar is used for playing classical music. It is symmetrical in shape and has nylon strings. Due to the wide neck, the classical guitar is more difficult to play for chord and accompaniment playing, and not ideal for popular music.
Help… I have an acoustic/western guitar (steel strings)!
Acoustic guitar is technically and theoretically similar to an electric guitar. However, the difference is the dimensions: an acoustic guitar has a larger body, thicker and wider neck, thicker strings, etc. This makes it more difficult to play than an electric guitar – especially for beginners not recommended. Moreover, an acoustic guitar is intended more as an accompaniment instrument and not so much as a ‘lead’ instrument. The range of effects and different sounds is also much wider for electric.
Which guitar should I buy, which amplifier, … new or 2nd hand?
To be able to practice at home, you obviously need your own guitar and amplifier. It is best to buy an electric guitar: these are easier to play than a classical or acoustic guitar and these offer many more possibilities in terms of style, technique, sounds and characteristics. New or 2nd hand … the question is always: who used it, how was it used, how was it stored, how was it maintained, …
Can I get advice and purchase equipment through GUITAR STUDIO?
Of course you will receive extensive advice about instruments and equipment.