FAQs:

• At what age can I start learning guitar?
  With 1/2 and 3/4 size guitars easily available on the market, starting at an early age is possible. I recommend a starting age of 7 years old, as a bit of primary school simple arithmetic and language skills come in very handy in learning guitar easily.
  On the other hand, for adults keen to pick up the instrument, it is never too late. Besides the fun of learning some tunes to share when you get together with friends, the guitar also guarantees that moment of relief so sought after a hard day at work.
  The Chinese idiom has it that "the journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step"!
  Steve Vai spiced it up further when asked why he still practices a lot despite having a wife and children - "The guitar always speaks nice words to me!"
  
  
• I used to learn guitar when younger but quit as I found it hard. But I still like its sound. How can I stay motivated if I try again?
  As one agrees, our learning skills sharpen as we mature into adults. So if you tried learning guitar when younger but it was not a successful experience for whatever reason (eg it was just a school subject and your interest in music then was less or inexistent, 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, thus mastering anything in a shorter timespan. This in turn can keep you more motivated about what is next than thinking about challenges that may not be overcome. 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 easily. Learning by doing.
  
  
• Do I need to buy a guitar before starting lessons?
  No.
  If you are a complete beginner, I strongly suggest we talk about this at your 1st or 2nd lesson as you would first need to understand how an acoustic guitar differs from an electric one, and what type of acoustic or electric to go for.
  Meanwhile, no lesson time will go lost as I will show you some music basics and how to apply them to the guitar using 1 of my guitars. And generally speaking, I can safely state that most of my students figure out all the notes on every fret of every string of the guitar 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 the tool of choice to unleash the music within you!!!
  How? Come and discover how easy it is!
  
  
• Do I have to learn acoustic/classical guitar or electric guitar? And which of the two is ideal to start on?
  Although older students tend to already have a clear idea whether to go acoustic or electric, this decision is taken at the 1st or 2nd lesson due to the different techniques different guitars demand. With younger children starting out as complete beginners, I strongly suggest the parent/guardian to attend these lessons to participate in the choice.
  
  
• 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 within zone 3 of the TfL network OR you can pay less by visiting my home studio equipped with 7 guitars, a synth, and industry-standard software, media and hardware to make your learning experience more comfortable!!!
  Furthermore, you can take lessons online - all you need is a broadband connection & a cam.
  Click here for prices to all above.
  
  
• What is if I am not based in London?
  Individual lessons are available internationally online. All you need is a broadband connection, a cam and a mic.
  On my side, I am equipped with a 720p webcam, a broadband connection + 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 language of choice.
  
  
• Would I be forced to read music in a 'boring' old style fashion, or will I be able to play my favourite tunes without too much effort?
  As a beginner starting out on the guitar, there is no need to learn musical notation. It will be however later introduced in small measures as to improve your sense of rhythm, and to help you understand and learn from varied music styles.
  For more advanced players, learning from non-guitarists is a good kick which calls for sight reading.
  In both instances, the bottom line is to have fun and read effortlessly. Just as one reads English as he speaks English, one reads music as he plays music - 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 the guitar for a while, progress depends on regular practice.
  I like to view lessons as 2 friends working as a team to achieve a goal, a goal which you the student sets. While I (as tutor) am responsible to ensure that you understand the stuff I pass you and to help you make realistic goals, our team success highly depends on how regularly you (the student) practise. In other words, for us 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!"
  
  
• Why is the teacher schedule showing as busy?
  The tutor's online diary will mark as "busy" for any pre-booked lessons. However, as students reserve the right to cancel a lesson in advance, it is possible for slots to become available. So bottom line is that the online calendar serves only as a guideline, and that one should still enquire by phone not email to book.
  Besides, when up to the brim, I honour a waiting list, so leaving your details is no waste of time as I could easily call you 2-3 weeks later to start.
  
  
• How can I decide if to sign up for class lessons or individual lessons?
  They both have their pros and cons.
  Individual lessons are spec-tailored to one's needs, and come with more flexibility (your choice of 30 or 50mins lessons; taken whenever you want, etc.) , yet cost more.
  Class modules come only in 50 min sessions, yet offer the fun challenge to regularly compare yourself with others + have less workload to cover between lessons.
  N.B: For class modules, participants are grouped by skill to ensure that classes run smoothly and steadily. To this effect, participation depends on a fluent understanding of English & regular attendance.
  If uncertain what suits you best, please give me a call.
  
  
• Do I have to sit for examinations?
  Off course not!!! Music making is all about fun. That said, it is known that exams generally make one push oneself more to achieve results wihtin a set timeframe. So once I deem you ready to successfully pass an exam, I would suggest it to you. It is then your decision whether to take it or not. Plus it is more fun to have a qualification not? Not to mention that 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 choose Cool Gool Music for your tuition?
  Why learn with me? Because I love you of course! :)
  As if you come to me for lessons, you are allowing me to share with you my foremost love in life - MUSIC!
  But do not take my word, just read what a selection of students had to say here.
  

Good luck! And speak soon my friend!