Frequently Asked Questions

Other than a guitar, I recommend that you purchase an electronic tuner to help you tune your guitar until you're able to tune it by ear, and a metronome to practice with to help you keep time. It's also a good idea to keep a couple extra sets of strings around.

Choosing a guitar will be based on the style of music you're interested in learning. Rock, metal, blues, alternative etc. are all usually played on electric guitar, while folk, singer songwriters and acoustic blues, etc. are usually played on a steel string acoustic guitar.
Electric guitars are usually a little easier to play due to the fact that the strings are generally easier to fret, but you'll have the added cost of buying an amplifier and cable.

For younger students it's a good idea to start with a nylon string guitar because it's much easier for them to fret notes without the strings hurting their fingers. For smaller children, I'd also recommend getting a 1/2 or 3/4 size guitar so that they're more comfortable holding the instrument.

If you need advice on what to buy please feel free to contact me.

For new students all you need is your guitar! I have everything else you'll need here, including amplifiers, cables, picks, a metronome etc. For future lessons you should bring your notes from previous lessons to refer to.

I'm conveniently located in Ozone Park, Queens NY...just a few blocks from the A train, and the Q8, Q11 and Q24 buses. Go to the home page for directions on how to get to me from your neighborhood.

*Note: If you don't see your neighborhood listed, click on the Ozone Park map to enter your address for directions.

For adult students, 1-hour lessons are recommended. This allows for enough time to review material from the previous lesson, address any questions that the student may have, and introduce new material.

I also offer half-hour lessons for younger students that may not be able to stay focused through a full hour lesson.

Lessons are most commonly scheduled once a week. This gives the student enough time to practice and get comfortable with new material. Weekly lessons also provide me with the opportunity to continually evaluate my students' progress, and it lets me correct any mistakes that they might be making before they have time to develop into bad habits. I also feel that having the goal of being prepared for a lesson each week helps to keep students on track between lessons.

There are four week and eight week lesson packs available, for both half-hour and 1-hour lessons.

Contact me for rates:
Email: John@LearnGuitarnyc.com
Phone: 718-300-7831

Yes! Gift certificates are extremely popular, especially at the holiday season. I offer gift certificates for 4 and 8-week lesson packs.
Gift certificates can be sent either by mail or email to the purchaser or the recipient.

It's simple! You don't have to choose a specific day, or time for lessons. Just purchase your gift certificate and the recipient can call to schedule the lessons at their convenience.

…and if you're interested in taking lessons yourself, just forward my contact info to your friends and family, and have them get you a gift certificate for lessons. :)

Contact me for more info:
Email: John@LearnGuitarnyc.com
Phone: 718-300-7831

Sample:
Note:
Gift certificates expire (1) one year from date of purchase.
Not redeemable for cash.

There are both 4 and 8-week lesson packs available for either half hour or one-hour lessons.
(The 8-week lesson pack offers the lowest cost per lesson)

Lessons packs are paid for at the first lesson. Advance payment ensures your lesson time will be reserved on a consistent weekly schedule.
Lessons can be paid for with cash or by check. Payments can also be made by credit card via Paypal.

If your personal schedule does not allow you to commit to a regular weekly time slot, I do offer a "pay-as-you-go" option.

Contact me for more info on "pay-as-you-go" rates.
Email: John@LearnGuitarnyc.com
Phone: 718-300-7831


*Note: "Pay-as-you-go" students are still expected to adhere to the cancellation/reschedule policy.

Cancellations and Rescheduling:
I try to be fair about cancellations, and I'm fairly flexible about reschedules. I understand that students will have to reschedule, or cancel at times for circumstances that are out of their control. I offer a 24 hour cancellation policy. All student and teacher cancellations are made up. A lesson that is cancelled the same day as the lesson, by the student, will be charged in full and will not be made up.

Pay-as-you-go Students:
Students who fail to cancel at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled lesson are responsible for paying for the missed lesson. Students who cancel a lesson with the requisite 24-hour notice will have an option to reschedule on another day during the same week.

Lesson Pack Students:
Students who’ve purchased a lesson pack and fail to cancel at a minimum of 24 hours before the scheduled lesson, will forfeit that lesson. Students who cancel a lesson with the requisite 24-hour notice are eligible for a make up lesson to be scheduled at a mutually convenient time before the end of their lesson pack. Lessons that are not made up before the end of your lesson pack will be forfeit.

All Students:
Please recognize that when you cancel without giving me at least 24 hours notice it precludes me from scheduling another student during your time slot. Also, I ask you to understand that when you schedule a lesson with me, I arrange the rest of my lessons, (and my personal time) around your time slot.

If you must miss several consecutive lessons due to a vacation etc., let me know and we’ll make the necessary arrangements to work around your schedule.

Religious holidays, emergencies, and vacations that are planned with reasonable advance notice are exempt from this policy.

Although I've only cancelled one lesson in the past three years, occasionally, it may be necessary for me to cancel a lesson. Lessons that I cancel will, of course, be made up.


*Note: For cancellations or reschedules, a phone call or text message is preferred.

You can schedule your first lesson whenever you're ready!