If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Oakville then you’re in the right place! Our guitar lessons combine the stability of traditional guitar lessons with the fun of playing the music you love. Not only will you learn songs that you really want to learn on the guitar, you can also learn how to read music and guitar tabs, understand chords, rhythm, and music theory. This combined approach to guitar lessons is designed keep you motivated from the very first lesson!
The Academy of Music offers guitar lessons in Oakville for children through to adults.
Beginners Welcome!
PRIVATE ONE ON ONE GUITAR LESSONS
Our one-on-one private guitar lessons mean that the teacher can focus on your individual learning style. Private lessons also mean that you are able to learn the type of music you enjoy the most. You can take private guitar lessons for 30 minutes or 1 hour. Most students start with 30 minutes and increase to one hour over time.
DON'T HAVE A GUITAR YET?
Don’t have a guitar or not sure if you want to invest in one yet? We offer instrument rentals for beginners. These 3/4 size guitars are great for beginner students age 6-12 years. They have nylon strings which makes it easier on small hands as they are learning. All of our musical instrument rentals are on a monthly basis with no long term commitments. This way you can be sure they are enjoying their guitar lessons before you buy a guitar.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What styles of guitar do you teach?
We teach most guitar styles from rock, pop, jazz, country, blues and classical guitar lessons in Oakville. Not sure which style to learn? Our Oakville guitar teachers can help you figure that out by introducing you to different guitar styles in your lessons and help you on your journey of musical discovery.
Are your guitar instructors 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 gone on performance tours of Canada and the US, and have over 25 years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our 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 6 years old before they start guitar lessons. Playing the guitar requires a certain amount of pressure on the fingertips from pressing down on the strings. Children under 6 years old generally have smaller hands and might find playing uncomfortable. We usually start bass guitar students at 10 years old and Adults can start anytime. If your child is on the younger side we suggest they use a 3/4 size classical guitar with nylon strings to make learning a bit easier and holding the guitar more comfortable. We recommend ukulele lessons for children under 6 years.
Am I too old to start guitar lessons?
Absolutely not! In fact we have taught hundreds of adults how to play the guitar. Since 1994 we have taught hundreds of adults how to play the guitar in Oakville! Over the years we have learned one very important thing. Adults don’t generally want the same type of guitar lessons that kids get. Every adult has their own idea of what they want out of their guitar lessons. Our teachers will focus on the music that you really want to learn to make sure your guitar lessons are always fun and motivating.
How do I Tune my Guitar?
It can take a few weeks or even months for a young guitar student to learn how to tune their own guitar well. Our guitar teachers usually begin each lesson by tuning it for them. If you want to get a head start here are a couple of ways to tune your guitar online. 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 tighten/loosen your strings the tuner will recognize the changes and guide you to raise or lower the pitch until the guitar is in tune. Here a great online tuner that offers both options: https://tuner-online.com/
What do you learn in your guitar lessons?
This is one of the most popular questions asked by prospective guitar students. The answer is our guitar teachers make it a priority to get to know you on a personal level and to become familiar with your personal guitar lesson 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.
The main reason to choose Oakville Academy of Music is that we are sensitive to the fact that every guitar student is an individual.
Do I need to purchase a guitar to start lessons?
Don’t have a guitar or not sure if you want to invest in one yet? We offer instrument rentals for beginners. These 3/4 size guitars are great for beginner students age 6-12 years. They have nylon strings which makes it easier on small hands as they are learning. All of our musical instrument rentals are on a monthly basis with no long term commitments. This way you can be sure they are enjoying their guitar lessons before you buy a guitar.
If you continue in lessons you will need purchase a guitar. Not sure what kind of guitar to buy? Check out this great article: How to Choose a Guitar in 2 Simple Steps from Artist Guitars.
How long will it take to learn the guitar?
Although this is on of the most popular questions we receive about guitar lessons it’s one of the trickiest to answer. There are many factors to consider. How old is the guitar student? How much do they practice. Do they have the right kind of guitar? You should be able to play a few chords and simple songs in only a few weeks but to become an expert it’s a much longer journey. Instead of thinking about how long it will take you might want to think about how much you will enjoy learning and improving in your guitar lessons.
What will the first guitar lesson be like?
At your first guitar lesson your teacher may ask you what you favourite type of music is. If you’re brand new and have never played the guitar before our teachers are very patient. They will start at the beginning: You will learn how to hold the guitar, how to sit so you can play comfortably, and how to adjust your hands when playing guitar to get a good tone. Even after your first lesson, you will be able to play something, either a chord or basic melody!
Why choose the guitar over other instruments?
Guitar lessons provide a great opportunity to learn the kind of music you love, and learn how to express yourself with this amazing instrument! It’s portable so you can play it almost anywhere. The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments you can play. There are many popular guitar styles including classical, jazz, rock, blues, pop, and so many more. You can play almost every style of music on the guitar!
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.
GET THE MOST FROM YOUR GUITAR LESSONS
You or your children are ready to sign up for guitar lessons and you want to get the most out of the lessons. Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we have taught thousands of students how to play the guitar since 1994. Here are a few of the things we have learned that will help you get the most out of your guitar lessons with us.
TAKE A COMBINED APPROACH TO GUITAR LESSONS
Most guitar teachers have a specific repertoire they prefer at the beginning stage. There are fundamentals that are important for beginners to develop good technique and habits. We highly recommend that you learn from a recognized guitar method book. This will help make sure that you don’t miss out on anything important. Some popular guitar programs that our teachers use are the Hal Leonard Guitar Method and Alfred’s Basic Guitar Method. In addition to the method book your teacher will ask you to choose your favourite songs to learn in your lessons. It’s very important to learn the kind of music that inspires you to practice. This combined guitar lesson approach should inspire you to play what you love and work on developing good technique at the same time.
TAKE LESSONS FROM QUALIFIED AND FUN GUITAR TEACHERS
You want to learn how to play the guitar right? Getting a couple of cool guitar licks or a song or two from YouTube is ok but if you really want to learn you will need a good guitar teacher. Someone who is qualified and relatable. Your guitar teacher should be able to share lesson concepts in a way that you understand and be able to adapt when needed. Our Academy of Music teachers have warm personalities and will get to know you and the music you are interested in. Whether you want to learn classic rock or classical guitar our qualified and fun teachers are happy to help.
SET GOALS IN YOUR GUITAR LESSONS
One great way to improve your skills is to constantly set and achieve goals in your guitar lessons. Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we have many opportunities for our students to set personal goals. We have at least two optional recitals every year, and our exclusive Musical Ladder System for every music student.
MAKE GUITAR LESSONS FUN
This might seem like a no-brainer but all too often guitar teachers focus so much on technique and theory that it may actually scare students off. You do need to learn good guitar technique it just needs to be taught in a fun and accessible way. There are a lot of ways your guitar teacher can make your lessons more fun from doing songs that you love to playing music related learning games. It’s our goal at the Academy of Music in Oakville to always hire fun and easy going guitar teachers so that you are loving your guitar lessons and are inspired to keep learning more.
TRY OUT DIFFERENT GUITAR STYLES
Music students will often have a certain style in mind when they sign up for guitar lessons. While it is important to learn what you want to learn it can be valuable and fun to explore different styles on the guitar. There are literally thousands of different styles from all around the world to discover. A few common styles you might start with are classical, jazz, metal, and Spanish. Each of these has a variety of sub-styles as well. You generally start guitar lessons wanting to play something cool but over time you may want to develop your own unique style. Learning about different guitarist and styles will help you expand your musical mind. Who knows, you might even find something new that you love!
BE PATIENT & DON'T GIVE UP
It takes time to develop any skill and playing the guitar is no different. Most of the musicians that you love have been playing for may years. Nobody starts as a guitar expert. New lessons are always a challenge. Working through the challenges and perfecting techniques over time is the key to mastering music. Be patient, it’s worth it!
There is an old saying that goes “quitters never win and winners never quit” The is true for your guitar lessons too! Every once in a while you will find a lesson on concept difficult or challenging and you may want to quit. These are the times that you have to choose to practice your guitar a little more and be extra patient with yourself. Let’s face it, if it was that easy everyone would be an expert. These challenges are actually good for you and will help you become a better musician. So don’t give up on your guitar lessons too soon. Try to work past the challenges. Only then will you be able see the other side of progress.
There is an old saying that goes “quitters never win and winners never quit” The is true for your guitar lessons too! Every once in a while you will find a lesson on concept difficult or challenging and you may want to quit. These are the times that you have to choose to practice your guitar a little more and be extra patient with yourself. Let’s face it, if it was that easy everyone would be an expert. These challenges are actually good for you and will help you become a better musician. So don’t give up on your guitar lessons too soon. Try to work past the challenges. Only then will you be able see the other side of progress.
START EVERY GUITAR LESSON SLOW
One of the biggest challenges to learning the guitar is starting slow. You want to play fast and smooth like your favourite guitar player but you just cant yet! You need to start all lessons slowly, playing your new song or guitar riff at a pace you can handle. It’s more important to play every note clearly then it is to play fast and mess them all up. After you can play the material well at a slow pace you can then gradually increase your speed. Take your time and get it right the first time. This will help make your guitar lessons experience a great one!
START WITH THE RIGHT GUITAR
There are many different options when it comes to choosing the best instrument for your guitar lessons. Most beginner students start with an acoustic guitar. We do recommend getting one with nylon strings because they are softer and easier to push down. If your acoustic guitar has steel strings it can be harder to press down making your fingers sore fairly quickly. Electric guitars are also a good choice because they have light strings. The student’s age and size can make a difference as well. For younger children we suggest a 3/4 size guitar. As they get older they can move up to a full size guitar.
PRACTICE THE GUITAR EVERYDAY
This one thing may be the most important for learning how to play the guitar! It’s not enough to just show up for your guitar lessons. The real magic is in having a regular practice schedule. You should try to play every day for at least a few minutes. It has been proven that we develop skills over time with consistency. 15-20 minutes of guitar playing every day will give you better results than cramming in 2 hours of practice the day before your guitar lesson. It’s not always possible to play every day so you don’t want to be too hard on yourself if you don’t. You should however try for daily practice because the simple act of setting a goal will increase your chances of achieving it. This will make your guitar lessons more fun and your teacher super happy!
Here at the Oakville Academy of Music our guitar students get access to a really cool practice challenge program. Students work through the levels and earn buttons, achievement medals, and fun grand prizes, just for playing the guitar more often!
Here at the Oakville Academy of Music our guitar students get access to a really cool practice challenge program. Students work through the levels and earn buttons, achievement medals, and fun grand prizes, just for playing the guitar more often!
PERFORM IN A GUITAR RECITAL
One of the best ways for parents to know if their kids are really learning is to have them perform in a recital. Performing in a music recital means that you need to practice one or two pieces of music until you can play them really well on the guitar. This also gives the students and teachers something specific to focus on in their lessons. Many studies have shown that students who perform regularly stay in guitar lessons longer. This can only help them become better musicians in the long run. Here at the Oakville Academy of Music we offer a minimum of 2 recitals per year. These concerts are free for our students. There are no tickets to purchase or participation fees on any kind. Performing in recitals and concerts will help you get more out of your guitar lessons.
LISTEN TO YOUR GUITAR TEACHER
Your guitar teacher at Oakville Academy of Music was hired because of their education and experience as a guitar teacher and performer. They have measurable experience teaching the guitar to children and adults of all ages. We highly recommend that you follow their instructions carefully to ensure you are constantly learning and improving in your music lessons.
PLAY WITH FRIENDS OR JOIN A GUITAR CLUB
Playing the guitar by yourself can be fun and relaxing but playing with other people can take the fun to a whole new level! There is a social aspect to music that is unlike any other activity. We recommend finding some friends or other guitar students to “jam” with. If you don’t know anyone else that plays the guitar you might be able to find a guitar club in your town. Of course there are other musicians you can join as well. It can be super fun to play music with pianists, ukulele players, drummers, and (name the instrument here). The point is to get together and play music with other people. It will give your guitar lessons more relevance and will make the learning experience way more fun than it already is.
BE SURE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MUSIC SCHOOL FOR YOUR GUITAR LESSONS IN OAKVILLE
Oakville Academy of Music has been the leader in guitar education since 1994. While other music schools have come and gone Oakville Academy has been at the same location since 1994. With well over 25 years of music teaching experience Oakville Academy of Music should be your family’s first choice for guitar lessons in Oakville.
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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