How do I enroll?
Start by clicking on the Enrollment page to the left.
Do you have an enrollment fee?
Yes, we have a one-time enrollment fee for new students of $20. Multiple students in the same household only pay one enrollment fee. Students who are re-enrolling (after a summer break, for example) do not have to pay the $20 fee again. You can SAVE 50% OFF ENROLLMENT by following the steps on our Enrollment page for “Self Checkout.”
Do you have an online submission form for enrollments with a secured credit card payment option?
Not at this time. Using our “Self Checkout” option you would copy/paste and complete the information required into an e-mail. Then, we will contact you to confirm available time slots, at which point payment can be made by check or credit card over the phone. We realize this process involves an extra step, so which is why we give you 50% off the enrollment fee if you choose it.
When is enrollment?
Anytime, as we do not have specific enrollment periods or semesters. Time slots are based solely upon availability in our teachers’ schedules.
Once I start, can I change my lesson time?
Yes. If we have an available time that would better suit your schedule, we will be glad to move you into that slot.
Can I go month to month?
Yes. The minimum commitment is one month, but you do get a discount when you pay for more up front.
Do you have discounts for family members?
When three or more immediate family members sign-up, the third student and anymore thereafter get $10 off per month.
What ages of students do you accept?
We accept all ages. Currently, our roster includes students in the single digits and several well into the double digits!
What if I’m not sure my child will stick to it?
There’s nothing wrong with just trying it out for a month or two since you are not required to sign up for any extended period of time. The biggest reason younger students do lose interest initially is when they learn that without practice they will not improve. Help them understand this up front and set their expectations for 3-6 months before they see impressive results. That way if it happens faster they’ll really be glad, but if not they won’t lose heart.
What if I have to cancel a lesson? Can I get a make-up?
All we require is a 24-hour notice (except in emergencies) and we will gladly give you thirty days to schedule a make-up lesson.
What if I know I’ll be out of town during a scheduled lesson?
You still pay the regular monthly rate, but we will schedule a make-up lesson for the missed one.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept check, cash, money order, Visa® and Mastercard®. A $25 fee will be assessed for any returned checks.
What do students need to bring to lessons?
All students should bring some type of folder or binder to retain notes from previous lessons. In addition, guitar students only need to bring their own guitar (we have amps and cables for electric guitar and bass students).
Are students required to purchase study materials?
Generally, we will provide our own study materials and transcriptions of music. In some cases, but usually not in the first month or so, beginning students will need to purchase a method book so they have something to use in their practice time at home.
Do you rent out instruments?
At this time we do not.
Does my child need previous musical experience?
While this will certainly help, it is not a pre-requisite.
What is your/your teachers’ background in music?
Each of our teachers boasts more than two decades studying and performing on their respective instruments. See our Teacher Bios page to view individual resumes.
Are private lessons a good supplement to school band?
Absolutely. We’ve had students preparing for school performances that have brought their music to lessons where we’ve been able to listen, give them pointers, and help them deliver a better performance.
Should my child begin on an acoustic guitar?
Originally, this advice was intended to mean “nylon-stringed acoustic,” not the more popular “steel-stringed acoustic.” A steel-stringed acoustic guitar is the hardest to play because of the thickness of the strings and the distance of the strings from the neck. Nylon strings (the kind you see on a classical guitar that look plastic) are easier to press down and more gentle on the finger tips of a beginning guitar player. The only drawback is that many kids are wanting to play rock music, which rarely features the sound of a nylon-stringed guitar. When they don’t hear the same sound that they hear in their favorite music, they might lose interest. If you choose to go this route, explain to them that this is the starting place, and as they progress, you’ll move them toward the exact type of guitar they want.
Is it okay for my child to start out on an electric guitar?
Sure. While the electric guitar also uses steel strings, they are smaller in diameter, closer to the neck, and the neck is generally more narrow than either type of acoustic. Plus, with an amplifier and some basic effects, the student can get the exact same sounds they hear their favorite artists making. You can find package deals which usually include a guitar, strap, picks, extra strings, a small amplifier and even a beginning instructional book and DVD. These can range anywhere from $175-300. Check your favorite local music retailer for recommendations and exact costs.
Do you recommend learning drums on an acoustic kit or an electronic kit?
Purists would argue that acoustic is the only way to go, but both have pros and cons. An acoustic kit is what every drummer ultimately wants to play: the feel, the sounds, even the look. From a practical standpoint, they are very loud and require a degree of know-how to set up, maintain, and keep in tune. A good student kit which will include a seat, sticks and cymbals can be found in the $500-600 range. Electronic drums, on the other hand, feature very similar sounds as the acoustic kit, plus a number of additional sounds that are heard all the time in modern music. Most of them also have on-board tools such as metronomes and pre-programmed songs to play along with which can be sped up or slowed down. Set-up is easier and tuning will never be an issue. Best of all to most parents: headphones can be used so that the only sound is the sticks hitting the rubber pads. One drawback to electronic kits is that, unless you’re willing to spend $4000 or more, they will not have the same feel as regular drums. The “heads” on the less expensive models will be rubber (similar to a drum practice pad) as will the cymbals. And playing them with a band will require additional amplification like a PA system or some type of portable amplifier. A good student level electronic kit including the seat and sticks can usually be found in the $600-700 range.
What type of drum kit do you teach on?
In the studio, an electronic kit is used (the Roland TD-6 Club kit). Since we are primarily working on kit-style drumming (as opposed to marching band or drum core) we are emphasizing groove and coordination. Both of these elements are just as easily developed on the electronic kit as they are on the acoustic. Plus, we can utilize the built-in training and recording tools, as well as control the studio volume when necessary.
What about cheap instruments you can find online or at department stores or pawn shops?
Yes, great deals can be found, but if you don’t know what to look for you can also end up with junk. If you find something that looks appealing, at least try to have a musician friend check it out for you before purchasing. As far as department stores go, there isn’t an instrument you can’t find at a price you can’t beat if you just go to an actual music retailer instead. At a real music store, you can get expert advise, helpful tips and long-term service by people who actually know the products. Larger ones even offer extended warranty plans that can be well worth the additional money should you ever have a problem. As far as cheapness goes, there is a point at which something is so cheap that it will ensure the student WILL NOT like it. Think of if like trying out steak for the first time and buying the lowest grade, most fat-laden piece of meat you can find. Probably not gonna go back after that! Assuming you’re buying something new, here is a very general rule of thumb: if the guitar/bass is less than $100, or if the drums are less than $400, or if the keyboard is less than $300, get a second, more informed opinion before spending your money.
We have an old instrument that’s been laying around for a while, will it be good enough?
At best it will probably need some basic maintenance to get it in shape. If it’s a guitar, feel free to bring it to your first lesson and let the teacher give it a look. Drums are a little more involved (you can’t just haul them back and forth.) You could bring in pieces of the kit that may give the teacher an idea of it’s overall condition. A home visit could be scheduled for the teacher to help set up, tune or fix your drum set for around $50 (parts not included) depending on the extent of work needed. Old pianos most likely will need to be re-tuned and have the action reset. We can recommend a reputable, professional tuner if you need.
Do your students learn to read music?
Yes, although for beginners we take what we feel is a “horse before the cart” approach. No one learns to speak their native language by first learning sentence diagrams and verb/noun usage and word definitions. They do it by simply hearing adults and then trying it out themselves, the musical equivalent of which is called “jamming.” Sure, at first it’s rough, sometimes amusing. But by the time a child is learning to read and write, they’re already carrying on complete conversations: they “get it.” Our initial goal is to help them “get it” by learning songs of their choosing and easing them into theory. We think of it like a “training wheels” approach. When you got your first bike, you weren’t handed a manual explaining tire pressure and gear ratios. Your parents put training wheels on it and sent you off to have fun. Once a student is having fun with their instrument, once they’re “going up and down the street,” they’re more inclined to apply themselves to the more detailed work of learning theory and style and advanced techniques so they can continue to grow their new found love. On the other hand, countless people could attest to having had music lessons in the past but finally quit because, put simply, “it was no fun.” The greatest compliment we receive on a regular basis from parents is that their child “loves coming to lessons.” Often this is followed up with “I wish my lessons were more fun when I was a kid, maybe I would have stuck with it.”
What style of music do your students learn?
While we specialize in rock, our song selection varies from one student to the next. We prefer to work on the music that students enjoy, so we try to go by theirs tastes, not ours. Students are more motivated to practice when they’re working on the music that they enjoy. Eventually, they’re more open to exploring other styles and time periods because they begin to see how their favorite music has roots beyond the genre itself.
How much should a student practice?
This depends on how quickly they want to progress. Traditionally, thirty minutes a day is the accepted standard. With today’s busyness, both children and adults are often left with a time deficit at the end of each day. Then, the prospect of spending thirty minutes just seems un-doable, so they don’t. Our experience suggests that often the toughest part is just getting started. For this reason, we prescribe fifteen minutes per day (for very young students we add “that’s just two episodes of SpongeBob!”). If they think “I only have to practice for fifteen minutes” they are more likely to start. Then, once started, it’s not uncommon for them to continue beyond the initial goal. It may be a form of fooling ourselves into a task, but it works nevertheless.
How do you motivate a child to practice?
Setting a specific time each day and then helping avoid distractions is a good start. Also, sitting in with them at the beginning warm-up phase could be a great encouragement, like “spotting” for the weightlifter. If you tell them “now go to your room and practice” it can seem like homework and/or isolation. A great idea from the Suzuki Method is “living room concerts.” Once a week, set up the living room to host their “performance.” Create a mock “stage” and when they perform, no matter how they do, praise them, applaud, cheer, congratulate. When they’re finished, tell them how you cannot wait until next week’s concert. This gives them a specific target to think about when they practice. By constantly engaging them and supporting their efforts, we communicate that this skill is important and valuable.
I’m an advanced player but I’m stuck in a rut. Can you help?
Absolutely! All musicians go through phases of learning and plateaus. If it’s just a “shot in the arm” you need, or perhaps an extended period of training to fill in gaps in theory or to explore a completely new style, we can help. Maybe it’s a new scale, a new practice habit, a new rudiment or groove, a new approach to chords, or warming up, or a new style of music to dig into. Whatever the case may be, our goal will be to help you find “new territories” to explore so your rut is over.
After playing Guitar Hero®/RockBand®, my child thinks he/she wants to try it for real… what are your thoughts?
When these games first rose in popularity, music professionals lamented that they would fool students into thinking they were learning when they’re not. Time has proven, however, that they have inspired more kids to “give it a try” than anything else that’s come along in the last few decades. Both games are exposing kids to the songs of “our generation” and causing them to hear them repetitiously, which is always a good thing! Having said that, we do point out that the learning curve on a real instrument will be longer than on the game. Playing guitar, for example, requires calluses on the finger tips and a combination of hand strength and fine motor skills. We try to remind them that even though it may not be easy at times, it is never impossible if they’ll just hang in there.
How young is “too young” and how old is “too old” to learn an instrument?
You’re never too old, and for the most part you’re never too young. Having said that, there are a lot of young children that may not be ready for weekly lessons because of attention span and practice expectations. It may be better for a child below the age of seven to simply work with their parents and ensure that their interests are not just a passing phase. On the other hand, there are programs like Suzuki and Kindermusik that work with children and parents together so it’s a joint effort.
Can more than one student at a time share the same lesson?
In a few rare instances we have allowed this, but only for a trial period. Students will get the maximum benefit from private lessons when they are, in fact, private. One common exception is when the lesson is being shared by a very young child and their parent. This could be a great shared parent/child activity, and with a student from 7- to 9-years-of-age mom or dad could make a great home tutor to reinforce what was covered in the lesson.
Can I stop by to see the studio and meet the teacher(s)?
Certainly, but we do recommend calling first to ensure we are present and available. Because of our teaching schedule, we may not always be able to stop and visit with drop-in visitors.
Am I welcome to sit in on the lessons?
While parents are ALWAYS welcome in lessons, we encourage you to gauge your child’s level of “self-consciousness” that may arise with you present. With younger students, we would actually encourage you to be in on the lessons, at least during the beginning, for two reasons: 1.) to help them feel comfortable in a new setting and 2.) so you can get an idea of what we’ll be doing in lessons and what you can encourage them to be doing in practice. Once they are acclimated, determine if your on-going presence would be a help or become a distraction.
What can I be doing to support my child’s efforts and growth?
Think of this experience in your child’s life as you would any other learning activity or hobby. They need two things primarily: 1.) your loving support and encouragement and 2.) the right tools to succeed. On the first point, it’s a delicate balancing act of knowing when to get involved and when to back off. If they were playing baseball, for example, you might play catch or take them to batting cages, and at games you would relentlessly cheer them on, even when their attempts do not succeed. Likewise, with an instrument, you might consider learning some things with them so you can accompany them, and when they play for you offer them praise and support even when it doesn’t sound that great. That doesn’t mean you can never point out where they can improve. If their batting stance was all wrong, you would take the time to help them correct it, not in a demeaning or punishing way. Instead, offer them “how about trying it like this”-type suggestions. As far as “backing off” goes, when it comes to their specific musical tastes and choices, the main thing is giving them as much room to explore as you can possibly stand. Reflect on your own experience: did you embrace your parents’ music when you were young? To share our tastes while not disregarding theirs’ means avoiding statements like “now this is real music” or “that’s just a bunch of screaming and noise” (which is exactly what people said about The Beatles). Drawing a line at music containing abusive or demeaning language is understandable, but be sure to explain this without ruling out an entire genre just because of some (or even most) of its members. It has been said that the best things we can give our children are “roots and wings.” The true art of parenting is knowing when to do which.
On the second point, try to get them the best tools your budget will allow. Often we are asked if there are low-cost options to buying instruments in the event that the child doesn’t stick with it. Back to the baseball analogy, would you buy them the cheapest glove, the cheapest shoes and the cheapest batter’s helmet? If they were going to try out BMX would you get them the cheapest bike? That’s not to suggest that you should get them the most expensive either, but consulting a professional to ensure you get them something that will not hold them back is a good idea.
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We welcome any further questions you may have. Please e-mail them to or enter them in the Comments section below!
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Copyright © 2008 Mike Roberts Music Studio. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be copied and/or reproduced or in any form without prior written permission. Rates and policies are subject to change without prior notification.
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