Our guitar lessons in Oakville for children age 6 and up combine the stability of traditional guitar lessons with the fun of playing the music your kids love. Your little guitar student will learn songs they really want to learn, how to read music and guitar tabs, and understand chords, rhythm, and music theory. This combined approach to guitar lessons is designed keep your children motivated from their very first guitar lesson!
The Academy of Music offers guitar lessons in Oakville for children age 6 and up
Beginners Welcome!
PRIVATE ONE ON ONE GUITAR LESSONS
Our one-on-one private guitar lessons in Oakville mean that the teacher can focus all of their attention on your child’s learning style and customize a guitar program just for them. Private guitar lessons also means that they can learn the type of music they enjoy the most. You can take private guitar lessons for 30 minutes or 1 hour for more advanced students.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What will my kids learn in guitar lessons?
This is one of the most popular questions asked by parents. Our guitar teachers make it a priority to get to know you and your child on a personal level and to become familiar with your personal musical needs and goals.
We do not treat every student the same in terms of what and how we teach. A seven year old having their first guitar lesson will have very different needs than an adult taking up the guitar for the 2nd time after having had lessons as a child.
Young guitar students don’t always know what they want to learn. Often they see someone on tv or a friend playing the guitar and want to give it a try. Our teachers will start new students in a method book that goes over the basics and offers a variety of fun songs. As the student progresses in lessons they will learn about different guitar styles and move toward the types the inspire them.
Should my child start with an acoustic guitar?
There are two guitar types that beginners can choose from. These are acoustic guitar and electric guitar. We recommend an acoustic for most young children starting lessons. They are portable, come in a range of sizes, and are available with nylon strings to make it easier on their little fingers. Read more in our blog about Electric or Acoustic for beginner guitar lessons?
What styles of guitar do you teach?
We teach all styles from rock, pop, jazz, folk, country, blues and classical. Not sure what your child is into? Our teachers can introduce them to different a variety of different guitar styles in their lessons and help them along their journey of musical discovery.
Are your guitar teachers qualified?
Our guitar teachers have received their education from prestigious institutions such as York University, Western University, Humber College, Mohawk College, and the University of Toronto. Many of our instructors have performed throughout Canada and the the US, and have over 25 years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our guitar teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly and strive to get to know each student and their parent on a personal level.
What is the best age to start guitar lessons?
We recommend children be at least 6 years old before starting guitar lessons. Playing the guitar requires a certain amount of pressure on the fingertips from pressing down on the the strings. This can be uncomfortable for younger children. It’s important that all children have a positive experience in music lessons from the very beginning. For younger children (age 6 – 8) we recommend a 3/4 size classical guitar with nylon strings to make learning a little easier and more rewarding. We recommend ukulele lessons for children under the age of 6.
Will I play in a guitar recital?
All of our students are welcome to participate in our optional recitals at least twice a year. These recitals are free for our students and their families. There are no tickets to purchase or recital participation fees. The recitals are always optional however we do encourage our students to participate as it can dramatically enhance their guitar lesson experience.
IS YOUR CHILD A BIT YOUNG FOR GUITAR LESSONS? TRY THE UKULELE!
If your little one is 5 or younger why not try the ukulele? The ukulele has 4 strings and is considerably smaller than the guitar. Most kids will be able to play a few chords after only one lesson. The ukulele is a great instrument to start on because it’s a bit easier to play, and the techniques are similar to the guitar, making for a smooth transition into private guitar lessons when they are ready. Learn more about our ukulele lessons.
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN GET THE MOST OUT OF GUITAR LESSONS
Your kids are still begging for guitar lessons and you’re finally ready to sign them up! Of course you want to make sure they are learning and that you’re not wasting your time and money. Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we’ve been teaching guitar lessons to children since 1994. Here are a few of the things we have discovered that will help them get the most out of their guitar lessons with us.
MAKE GUITAR LESSONS FUN
This may seem obvious but many guitar teachers focus so much on technique and theory in the beginning that it may actually scare younger children off. It is important to learn proper guitar technique it just needs to be taught in a fun and approachable way. There are many ways a good guitar teacher can make the lessons fun from doing songs that kids love to playing music related learning games. It’s our opinion here at the Oakville Academy of Music that hiring fun and relaxed guitar teachers can make all the difference in the world to a new student.
TAKE A COMBINED APPROACH TO GUITAR LESSONS
There are fundamentals that are important for children in order to help develop good guitar technique and habits. This should include the use of a recognized guitar method book. A few of the more popular guitar programs our teachers use are the Hal Leonard Guitar Method and Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method. This is not the complete picture. In addition to the guitar method book your teacher should ask you about your favourite music and incorporate fun songs into your lessons. It’s important for children to learn the kind of music they love. This combined approach to guitar lessons should inspire them to practice more and stick with the guitar long term.
TAKE LESSONS FROM QUALIFIED AND FUN GUITAR TEACHERS
Sure, you can get guitar lessons from some guy up the street. Maybe he can play a bit and he has really cool hair! But can he teach the guitar? Can he break the lessons down into easy to learn concepts? Will he teach your children how to love the guitar by showing them what they can really do with it? It’s important to find a qualified teacher that knows how to explain the guitar lessons and concepts so that your kids can understand them. Oakville Academy of Music guitar teachers are fun, they love music, and they know how to share love to share their love of the guitar with their students!
HELP THEM SET GUITAR LESSON GOALS
Learning how to set and achieve a goal is key factor in learning any skill including the guitar. Our exclusive Musical Ladder System is great for kids to learn how to set and achieve personal musical goals. Students work with the teacher in their guitar lessons to pick the right material for musical challenges which are done every 90 days or so. When they pass they receive really cool coloured wristbands and certificates. Some levels even include trophies. Oakville Academy of Music is the only music school in the area that offers the Musical Ladder System. How will it help your little guitarist grow?
START WITH RIGHT GUITAR
Choosing the right guitar for your kids is very important and can make a big difference in their guitar lessons. We recommend that younger children start on a 3/4 size guitar with nylon strings. Children younger than 9 often have smaller hands and may find a full size guitar difficult to hold and play. The nylon strings are much easier to push down than steel strings which makes makes playing the guitar much easier. Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we want your children to have the most rewarding guitar lesson experience possible. To help with this we offer small guitars for rental or purchase to make sure your kids are successful from their very first lesson.
TEACH THEM MUSIC THEY LOVE ON THE GUITAR
We highly encourage kids to learn how to play their favourite songs from the radio or YouTube. These are the songs that inspired them to take guitar lessons in the first place. There’s a lot of great modern music and much of it is accessible to the beginner guitar student. In addition using solid method books our teachers will use your kid’s favourite music to help develop their technique and keep them engaged in lessons.
PLAY THE GUITAR WITH OTHER MUSICIANS
Learning how to play the guitar is fun but it’s even more fun with friends! Children should be encouraged to get together with other guitar students and “jam”. The social aspect of playing music together is one of the greatest parts of being a musician. It doesn’t even have to be with other guitarists. It’s just as much fun paying with piano players, ukulele players, and drummers.
ENCOURAGE THEM TO PERFORM IN A GUITAR RECITAL
One great way to help your kids get the most from their guitar lessons is to have them perform in a recital. Performing music in a live setting will encourage them to practice the guitar more to get ready for the show. This also helps them set goals in their guitar lessons. Studies show that children who perform regularly stay in guitar lessons longer and become better guitarists. Our Oakville music school offers at least 2 music recitals per year. These events are completely free for our students with no tickets to purchase or participation fees on any kind. We present the recitals at a beautiful venue right here in Oakville Ontario with all the equipment necessary to make them sound great on the guitar.
KEEP THEIR GUITAR IN TUNE
It can take a fairly long time for a young guitar student to learn how to tune their guitar. Their teacher usually begins each guitar lesson by tuning it for them. You can help out a bit by using an online guitar tuner before their lesson to help out and save some lesson time. There are two types of online guitar tuners. One plays the pitch of each string. You adjust your guitar by listening and matching the pitch. The other uses your microphone and determines the pitch for you. As you turn the guitar pegs the tuner will recognize the changes and guide you to raise or lower the pitch until the guitar is in tune.
PRACTICE THE GUITAR EVERYDAY
This may surprise you but it’s not enough to just show up at your guitar lesson each week. You actually need to practice. As a beginner guitar student you should try to practice your guitar every day for at least 5 minutes. You may find that getting started is the hardest part but once you start it’s get easier. If you can’t play every single day that’s ok. If you miss a day here and there you can get back to it the next day. The important thing is to get back to the next day and develop a regular habit.
STICK WITH IT
Learning how to play the guitar can be a very rewarding experience but challenging at times. It’s common to hear people say “I used to take guitar lessons, I sure wish I hadn’t quit!” Learning music is a journey. You can learn how to play some great songs from the beginning but it can take many years to master. Over time your skills will improve and the longer you take lessons the better you will get. If you give up too soon you may never find how good you can really be.
START EACH GUITAR LESSON SLOW
One of the hardest things for a child to do is slow down. They always seem to be in a hurry. With music lessons however it’s important to slow things down. Most guitar teachers will tell you if you can’t play it slow you can’t play it fast. You need to start each guitar lessons slowly and play your new song at a speed you can handle. It’s more important to play clear and smooth than it is to play fast and sloppy. Once you can play the song well slowly then you can gradually speed it up.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY DIFFERENT GUITAR STYLES
It’s possible that already have a specific guitar style in mind when think about your lessons. Of course it’s important to learn what inspired you to take guitar lessons in the first place. You may find it interesting to know that there are hundreds, if not thousands of unique guitar styles played all around the world. Learning about different musicians and guitar styles can help you expand your musical mind. You might even find something new that you love!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT MUSIC SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD’S GUITAR LESSONS
There are a variety of options as far as music schools go. Are they all the same? Is one better than another? First, they are not all the same. Some academies focus on classical guitar, some are rock schools, some are very serious, while others are too relaxed. The question really is “what do you want your kids to get out of their guitar lessons”? What makes Oakville Academy of Music different? Here are just a few reason why we believe we are the best choice for guitar lessons in Oakville:
Fun and encouraging guitar teachers that will teach you what you want to learn.
Musical Ladder System and Practice Challenge programs to keep your children motivate to play.
Office staff 7 days a week to help when you need it.
Minimum of 2 guitar recitals a year to show off their new skills.
Fun and encouraging guitar teachers that will teach you what you want to learn.
Musical Ladder System and Practice Challenge programs to keep your children motivate to play.
Office staff 7 days a week to help when you need it.
Minimum of 2 guitar recitals a year to show off their new skills.
REMEMBER THAT GUITAR LESSONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!
Do children enjoy the school subjects they are good at, or are they good at those subjects because they enjoy them? Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we believe that it’s essential for children to enjoy playing the guitar if there is any hope of them getting good at it. Yes they need to practice every day. Yes they sometimes need to play stuff that they don’t feel like in their guitar lessons. No it doesn’t have to be drudgery! As a parent you can encourage and support your child’s music lesson journey by letting them know it’s ok to have fun with the guitar. It’s ok to write songs or improvise. It’s even ok to be a bit silly sometimes. Music can be fun. Guitar lessons can be fun!
IT'S EASY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Sign up is easy and parent-friendly, with helpful staff available seven days a week to serve you. Because we only offer lessons on a month-to-month basis, there are no large upfront payments, no complicated contracts, no annual material or performance fees, and no semester minimums.
READY TO START? YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.
Lessons are first come, first serve, so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!
PRIVATE LESSONS
HOURS & INFORMATION
Monday – Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 11:00am - 7:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday 9:00am - 4:00pm
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