Click on a question to jump to the answer.  We hope you will find the answer to your question below.  If not, email your questions to Layla Humphries.

When is the best age to start taking music lessons?
How long should their lessons be?  Are they ever more than once a week?
Do I have to already have the instrument or do you help choose it for me?
Can I try a few lessons to see if my child likes it?
Can I do more than one kind of lesson at the same time?
Do I have to pay the whole registration fee even if I start late?
If I pay for the whole semester and don’t get all the lessons, what happens to my money?
Can I take just the amount of lessons I want and not do the semester plan?
Can I start anytime or do I have to wait for the next semester to begin?
Can I take acoustic or electric guitar?
Where are the best places to rent or buy a violin?
How do I know what size violin to choose?
Do you ever have instruments available to buy?
Do I need to attend lessons with my child?
Can siblings be in the lesson too?
How do the workshops/group lessons work?
What does my registration fee cover?
How do you match me with an instructor?
Do all the instructors teach the same way? Can I switch/interview instructors?
Do I/my child have to be in a recital each year?
Does the music academy offer lessons for adults?

When is the best age to start taking music lessons?

Piano-There are several different philosophies on when to begin piano lessons.  We have instructors who are willing to begin from ages 5 to adult.  Some instructors believe that it is best to wait until the child is entering the 2nd grade.  This allows the student to already be reading and the learning process is usually quicker.  The average age of most of our beginner piano students is nine.

Strings (violin, viola, cello)-We begin students at various ages from 3 years old to adult.  Most of the instructors use some form of the Suzuki method which is very beneficial for younger students.  The average age of most of our beginner violin students is seven. 

Voice- Children’s voices are constantly changing and developing even up through high school.  Most of our younger students up to age 9 work mainly on learning pitches and vocal exercises.  The average age of most of our beginner voice students is twelve.

Guitar-There are different schools of thought on when to begin guitar lessons.  Like strings, guitar students must also have a smaller instrument if they begin at a young age.  Often young students struggle to reach the finger patterns that are needed to play the chords so younger students work more on learning individual notes.  The average age of most of our beginner guitar students is thirteen.

How long should their lessons be?  Are they ever more than once a week?
Lessons are offered once a week unless by special request.  Most students begin with 30 minutes and then increase as he or she becomes more advanced.  We offer 15 minute lessons for children under 5 years old.  If you are interested in longer lessons, talk with your instructor.  Students who are ten years old or older can usually manage a 45 minute lesson or longer.  High school students often take hour lessons.  Lesson length varies on the student’s individual needs. 

Do I have to already have the instrument or do you help choose it for me?
Yes, you need to have an instrument before you begin lessons, but your instructor can help you with this once you have registered.  Some beginner piano students begin with just a keyboard at home to practice. 

Can I try a few lessons to see if my child likes it?
Yes, we currently have a flexible policy.  Some students tryout an instrument just for a month to see if they are truly interested.  We encourage you to give your instructor/instrument at least a month or more before making a final decision.  It is hard to know in just a few lessons whether or not a student has picked the best instrument.  Please be courteous and let the director and instructor know that you are just wanting to tryout lessons if you think you may not be committing to the entire year. 

Can I do more than one kind of lesson at the same time?
Absolutely.  We have several students who take lessons in two different instruments, for example: piano/violin or guitar/voice or orchestra/violin. 

Do I have to pay the whole registration fee even if I start late?
Yes.  The registration fee is not pro-rated.  It covers Fall through Summer of the next year.  This fee covers all recital costs, additional group lessons or dress rehearsals. 

If I pay for the whole semester and don’t get all the lessons, what happens to my money?
All lessons are pre-paid but your account is credited for any lessons that are not received by the end of each semester.  This credit can be held over on your account to the next semester or it can be refunded to you by request. 

Can I take just the amount of lessons I want and not do the semester plan?
Yes, we currently are very flexible.  Registration is open year-round.  You can tryout just a few lessons without having to commit to an entire semester.  Some students take lessons every other week or commit just during certain months. 

Can I start anytime or do I have to wait for the next semester to begin?
Yes, we currently are very flexible.  Registration is open year-round.  You do have to pay the registration fee regardless of when you begin lessons.  If you begin lessons during a summer session then the registration fee is credited also to the next school year.  If you join in the Spring semester, then you do have to pay the registration fee in the Spring and then also in the Fall to continue lessons for the next school year. 

Can I take acoustic or electric guitar?
Yes, we offer instruction in both instruments.  Once you register, you can discuss this more with your guitar instructor. 

Where are the best places to rent or buy a violin?
Locally…Village Violins in Forest Park: 205-413-1263 or http://www.villageviolinsbirmingham.com ; Arts Music Shop: 995-8376 or http://www.artsmusicshop.com ; Homewood Musical Instruments: 879-4868 or http://hmi.homewood.net ; or Casebere Violins: 995-9236‎ are just a few music stores in our area that offer rental instruments.  Village Violins has a “rent-to-own” program.  Online…www.sharmusic.com or other various music websites.  Sharmusic.com has a “rent-to-own” program that several of our students have used in the past few years when just beginning lessons.

How do I know what size violin to choose?
Ask your instructor.  Here are the basic measurements, but each child is different.  Your instructor will be able to recommend the best size for your violinist. 

Sizes of Violins

1/16 - Suitable for young children age 3 to five years old. with an arm length of 14 to 15 3/8 inches.
1/10 - Also for young musicians age 3 to 5 years old, with an arm length of 15 3/8 to 17 inches.
1/8 - Again, for young violin enthusiasts age 3 to 5 years old with an arm length of 17.1 to 17.5 inches.
1/4 - With an arm length of 17.6 to 20 inches, this violin is suitable for children 4 to 7 years old.
1/2 - For children ages 6 to 10 years old, with an arm length of 20 to 22 inches.
3/4 - Children 9 to 11 years old with an arm length of 22 to 23.5 inches will enjoy playing this size violin.
4/4 or Full Size Violin - For violinists age 9 and above with an arm length of 23.5 and up.

Do you ever have instruments available to buy?
Sometimes.  We do keep a list of violins that other students are trying to sell in the director’s office.  Contact the director if you are interested. 

Do I need to attend lessons with my child?
Ask your instructor.  Some instructors require it, while others discourage it. 

Can siblings be in the lesson too?
Yes, but it is often distracting to the student.  This should be decided between the parent and instructor. 

How do the workshops/group lessons work?
Some instructors offer group lessons during the year.  There is not an additional cost for these classes.  It is included in your registration fee.  Ask your instructor or the director if you would like to know which instructors have group lessons. 

Sometimes these group classes are monthly or before a recital as a dress rehearsal.  This is just an opportunity for students to play and perform together. 

What does my registration fee cover?
Registration is used by the music academy to cover monthly workshops, administrative costs, and recital expenses. 

How do you match me with an instructor?
You can select your own instructor by reading the instructor biographies included in the registration packet or the director will select one for you.  Some instructors participate in piano and string festivals.  If you have a specific lesson time that you request, then you will be placed with the instructor that has that lesson time available.  Any time or day requests for lessons can be written on the back of the registration form.  Lessons times are assigned by the instructor not the director once your registration form and fee has been received in the dma office. 

Do all the instructors teach the same way? Can I switch/interview instructors?
Each instructor has his or her own teaching style and uses different teaching methods and incentives.  This information is included in the instructor biographies.  If you are unhappy with your instructor after several lessons, you can switch to another instructor by notifying the director that you would like to change.  Currently we do not offer a time to interview instructors but you are welcome to come and observe lessons anytime during the week.  Contact the director to find out the teaching schedules of the instructor(s)s you are interested in observing.  Most lessons occur between 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Mondays-Fridays.

Do I/my child have to be in a recital each year?
Recitals are encouraged.  Every instructor offers at least 1 recital per year and some instructors offer many more performance opportunities.  If you feel that your child is not ready to perform in a recital, please talk with your instructor about this.  Adult students are given the option to perform in a recital if they feel comfortable. 

Does the music academy offer lessons for adults?
Yes, we have about two dozen adults that take lessons each semester in various instruments: piano, violin, voice, and others.  Contact the director if you are interested in signing up for adult lessons.