What should I bring to my first lesson?

1) Your guitar.
2) Picks, if you choose to play pickstyle.
3) A notebook dedicated to guitar lessons. The typical spiral-bound kind is fine.
4) A recording device (cassette recorder, minidisk, DAT, etc.): optional but highly recommended as an audio complement to your notebook.
5) Recordings and/or sheet music of any songs you're interested in learning, and any other materials you may have.
5) An open mind, and an eagerness to learn. I recommend listening to your favorite tunes before a lesson to pump you up. If you ever find yourself short on motivation, this is often the the best remedy.

What should I leave at home?

Anything—thoughts, concerns, nagging anxieties, etc.—related to work, school, or any other potentially boring or stressful acitivity. Learning music takes work, to be sure, but boredom and stress are, as Mozart would have said, verboten.

What are Mike's payment and cancellation policies?

I offer two rate options: flexible and retainer. Flexible is the typical system for private lessons: if you cancel a lesson with more than 48 hours’ notice (see below), you do not pay for the lesson. This is a good option for those who may require greater flexibility in their schedules. However, if your schedule is reasonably stable, you can put me on retainer—in exchange for a discount, you agree to pay regularly for your reserved time whether or not you use it. (Note: If I cancel, you do not have to pay.)

Financial benefits aside, I encourage this option because music—like any other skill—is best learned consistently. Many students choose this deeper commitment as a reflection of—or motivation for—the kind of faithful practice that leads to steady and satisfying progress. But there are many roads to musical fulfillment; whichever one you choose, financially or otherwise, I’ll do my best to make the journey a beautiful one. You are welcome to change payment options at any time, but you must give me at least two calendar months’ notice when switching from retainer to flexible (e.g. notify me by the end of March if you plan to switch in May.) You can switch back to retainer after paying the flexible rate for a full month.

Rates

Flexible: $45/hr. or $30/half-hour
Retainer: $37.50/hr.

How to Pay

I ask that payment be made on a monthly basis for both payment options. I find the simplest method is for you to pay for the number of lessons we’re planning on having in any given month; this is generally 4-5 if you take weekly lessons, 2-3 if you take lessons every other week. Payment for each month is due the week prior to the new month. For example, payment for December lessons is due the last week of November. If you choose the flexible plan and you cancel with more than 48 hours’ notice, you will be credited for that lesson in the following month.

If You Need to Cancel...

Flexible: If you need to cancel a lesson, you must notify me a minimum of 48 hours prior to lesson time. If at least 48 hours’ notice is given, we can schedule a makeup lesson at the earliest possible date. If less than 48 hours’ notice is given, you will be charged for the scheduled lesson, and no makeup will be given. Please be advised that this policy also applies to your final lesson.

Retainer: If you have a conflict at your regular lesson time, I will do my best to find a make-up time for you. However, please be aware that my schedule will not always permit this. If you need to cancel your final lesson, you must give me at least one week’s notice.

How do I get started?

Give Mike a call: 415 260 2091

Or send an e-mail: mike@hotmike.com

Talk to you soon!