Which instruments do you teach?
We teach Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Piano & Music Theory.
What age students do you teach?
We teach people of all ages, adults, teenagers, retirees and children. There is a minimum age of 7 for piano lessons with Jenny Hargreaves.
At what age can my child start learning a musical instrument?
Children from as young as 5 can start learning a musical instrument - if your child is under 5 please contact the Head Tutor to discuss. There is a minimum age of 7 for piano lessons with Jenny Hargreaves.
What kind of guitar should my child start learning on?
If your child is a first-time beginner and is in primary school (age 5-11) we would recommend a half-size or three-quarters-size classical guitar (it is always best to get a size of guitar compatible with the size of your child's hands.) The strings on a child's classical guitar are very soft compared to an electric guitar or a steel-stringed acoustic and are kinder to little fingers.
Do you recommend any specific beginner models of guitar?
For children in primary school the Jose Ferrer 3/4 Estudiante Classical Guitar is an excellent choice. When a primary school student is ready to move onto an electric guitar a Squier Mini Stratocaster is one of the best options (electric guitars also require a jack-to-jack lead and a practice amp).
Do you do group lessons?
All lessons are taught one-to-one on an individual basis. This enables students to remain focused, gives them the tutor's undivided attention and always yields the best results and fastest progress.
How much practice should I do?
Students are encouraged to do at the very least three 10-minute practices per week. These should be focused practice times working on current pieces set by the tutor, in a distraction-free environment. For a child aged 5-7, three weekly practices will be plenty, but for an older child or an adult we would encourage significantly more.
Should I supervise my child's practice or give them their own space?
This depends largely on the individual child, but as a general rule, children who have some parental involvement and oversight in their weekly music practice sessions tend to significantly outperform those who are left to their own devices (and can therefore tend to daydream and get sidetracked!) However, we entirely appreciate that this will not always be possible and will attempt to accommodate students and parents whatever their individual situation.
Do you teach classical music?
On Guitar / Bass / Ukulele we teach primarily Rock & Pop (including Rockschool music grades & music theory). On Piano we offer both classical and contemporary.
Do you teach music theory?
Yes, Jenny Hargreaves offers specialized Music Theory lessons.
What happens if I or my child doesn't practice?
Without weekly focused practice at home, progress in learning any instrument will be slower than it would be otherwise. If a student consistently does not practice or is unable to practice, lessons will move to more of a 'supervised practice' format and new material will be given out less frequently. It is possible to progress musically with one weekly music lesson and no practice but it is the much slower (and more expensive) option.
How long are lessons?
Most lessons are 30 minutes, weekly. We also offer 45 minute slots and 1 hour slots.
How can I pay for lessons?
For UK students, lessons are payable monthly in advance by bank transfer. The majority of students do this quickly and easily using mobile banking. We unfortunately no longer accept payment by cheque or cash.
What official qualifications can I get with RMuS?
We regularly have students of all ages choosing to take a music grade exam. Guitar / Bass / Ukulele & Vocal students can gain qualifications through Rockschool (with whom we are proud to have a 100% pass rate). Rockschool music examinations are recognized worldwide and grades 6-8 count towards total UCAS points. Visit www.rslawards.com for more information. Piano or Music Theory students can gain music grade exam qualifications through the Associated Board (ABRSM) or Rockschool.
Will you come to my home to teach?
We do not offer home-visit lessons, but we do offer one-to-one online lessons via video call, which can be done from the comfort of your own home. Please get in touch for more information.
MISSED LESSONS POLICY
What happens if I miss a lesson?
If a student is unable to attend a lesson we need minimum 24 hours notice, or the lesson is chargeable. If a student does not attend a booked lesson without 24 hours prior notice they will be charged for that slot (please contact the Head Tutor in exceptional circumstances eg medical emergencies).
What happens if my tutor misses a lesson?
If a tutor is unable to attend a pre-booked lesson due to illness or an emergency, the student will not be charged for the missed lesson. All efforts will be made to give as much notice as possible in circumstances when a tutor is unable to attend and a catch-up lesson can be arranged if required.
What happens if I am late for a lesson?
If a student is late for a lesson with a specifically defined time slot their lesson will unfortunately have to end at the planned time, even if this results in a shorter than normal lesson. If possible, tutors will attempt to make up the time but this is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the tutor.
What happens if a student comes to a lesson without their instrument and/or music?
If we have not been given 24 hours notice the lesson will be chargeable. The decision to complete the lesson without an instrument and/or music is at the sole discretion of the tutor.
What happens if my child misses their in-school lesson due to a field trip, school trip, school play, special assembly or other school event?
When students are away on trips, performing in school plays, or participating in other events with specific timings which will make them unavailable, we require 24 hours notice or the lesson will be chargeable. However, various school events frequently happen throughout the year for which parents/guardians are sometimes not given specific timings (eg World Book Day, extended assemblies, sports days, photograph sessions etc). Also occasionally there are in-school events of which parents are not notified. In these circumstances we will do our best to fit in as many students as possible around the event - but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to see everyone. Lessons missed due to in-school events for which specific timings have not been made available will not be chargeable.
Does the parent/guardian have not give notification of non-attendance, or can the child pass along a message?
Unfortunately messages often get forgotten, mixed up or incorrectly relayed when passed along by a young student, so if a minor is going to be unable to attend their lesson, we need 24 hours notice from the parent/guardian, not the child please.
I have a question not listed here...
Please get in touch with us via the Contact page.
We teach Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Piano & Music Theory.
What age students do you teach?
We teach people of all ages, adults, teenagers, retirees and children. There is a minimum age of 7 for piano lessons with Jenny Hargreaves.
At what age can my child start learning a musical instrument?
Children from as young as 5 can start learning a musical instrument - if your child is under 5 please contact the Head Tutor to discuss. There is a minimum age of 7 for piano lessons with Jenny Hargreaves.
What kind of guitar should my child start learning on?
If your child is a first-time beginner and is in primary school (age 5-11) we would recommend a half-size or three-quarters-size classical guitar (it is always best to get a size of guitar compatible with the size of your child's hands.) The strings on a child's classical guitar are very soft compared to an electric guitar or a steel-stringed acoustic and are kinder to little fingers.
Do you recommend any specific beginner models of guitar?
For children in primary school the Jose Ferrer 3/4 Estudiante Classical Guitar is an excellent choice. When a primary school student is ready to move onto an electric guitar a Squier Mini Stratocaster is one of the best options (electric guitars also require a jack-to-jack lead and a practice amp).
Do you do group lessons?
All lessons are taught one-to-one on an individual basis. This enables students to remain focused, gives them the tutor's undivided attention and always yields the best results and fastest progress.
How much practice should I do?
Students are encouraged to do at the very least three 10-minute practices per week. These should be focused practice times working on current pieces set by the tutor, in a distraction-free environment. For a child aged 5-7, three weekly practices will be plenty, but for an older child or an adult we would encourage significantly more.
Should I supervise my child's practice or give them their own space?
This depends largely on the individual child, but as a general rule, children who have some parental involvement and oversight in their weekly music practice sessions tend to significantly outperform those who are left to their own devices (and can therefore tend to daydream and get sidetracked!) However, we entirely appreciate that this will not always be possible and will attempt to accommodate students and parents whatever their individual situation.
Do you teach classical music?
On Guitar / Bass / Ukulele we teach primarily Rock & Pop (including Rockschool music grades & music theory). On Piano we offer both classical and contemporary.
Do you teach music theory?
Yes, Jenny Hargreaves offers specialized Music Theory lessons.
What happens if I or my child doesn't practice?
Without weekly focused practice at home, progress in learning any instrument will be slower than it would be otherwise. If a student consistently does not practice or is unable to practice, lessons will move to more of a 'supervised practice' format and new material will be given out less frequently. It is possible to progress musically with one weekly music lesson and no practice but it is the much slower (and more expensive) option.
How long are lessons?
Most lessons are 30 minutes, weekly. We also offer 45 minute slots and 1 hour slots.
How can I pay for lessons?
For UK students, lessons are payable monthly in advance by bank transfer. The majority of students do this quickly and easily using mobile banking. We unfortunately no longer accept payment by cheque or cash.
What official qualifications can I get with RMuS?
We regularly have students of all ages choosing to take a music grade exam. Guitar / Bass / Ukulele & Vocal students can gain qualifications through Rockschool (with whom we are proud to have a 100% pass rate). Rockschool music examinations are recognized worldwide and grades 6-8 count towards total UCAS points. Visit www.rslawards.com for more information. Piano or Music Theory students can gain music grade exam qualifications through the Associated Board (ABRSM) or Rockschool.
Will you come to my home to teach?
We do not offer home-visit lessons, but we do offer one-to-one online lessons via video call, which can be done from the comfort of your own home. Please get in touch for more information.
MISSED LESSONS POLICY
What happens if I miss a lesson?
If a student is unable to attend a lesson we need minimum 24 hours notice, or the lesson is chargeable. If a student does not attend a booked lesson without 24 hours prior notice they will be charged for that slot (please contact the Head Tutor in exceptional circumstances eg medical emergencies).
What happens if my tutor misses a lesson?
If a tutor is unable to attend a pre-booked lesson due to illness or an emergency, the student will not be charged for the missed lesson. All efforts will be made to give as much notice as possible in circumstances when a tutor is unable to attend and a catch-up lesson can be arranged if required.
What happens if I am late for a lesson?
If a student is late for a lesson with a specifically defined time slot their lesson will unfortunately have to end at the planned time, even if this results in a shorter than normal lesson. If possible, tutors will attempt to make up the time but this is not guaranteed and is at the sole discretion of the tutor.
What happens if a student comes to a lesson without their instrument and/or music?
If we have not been given 24 hours notice the lesson will be chargeable. The decision to complete the lesson without an instrument and/or music is at the sole discretion of the tutor.
What happens if my child misses their in-school lesson due to a field trip, school trip, school play, special assembly or other school event?
When students are away on trips, performing in school plays, or participating in other events with specific timings which will make them unavailable, we require 24 hours notice or the lesson will be chargeable. However, various school events frequently happen throughout the year for which parents/guardians are sometimes not given specific timings (eg World Book Day, extended assemblies, sports days, photograph sessions etc). Also occasionally there are in-school events of which parents are not notified. In these circumstances we will do our best to fit in as many students as possible around the event - but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to see everyone. Lessons missed due to in-school events for which specific timings have not been made available will not be chargeable.
Does the parent/guardian have not give notification of non-attendance, or can the child pass along a message?
Unfortunately messages often get forgotten, mixed up or incorrectly relayed when passed along by a young student, so if a minor is going to be unable to attend their lesson, we need 24 hours notice from the parent/guardian, not the child please.
I have a question not listed here...
Please get in touch with us via the Contact page.