Success Music Studio FAQ

Success Music Studio FAQ #1:

One of the most frequently asked questions concerns what to look for when buying an electronic keyboard.

The things to keep in mind:

1. That it is touch sensitive: meaning that when you hit the key you can make the keyboard sound louder or softer.
2. Make sure the keyboard does not have mini keys.
3. That it has a place to plug in a sustain pedal. If the keyboard comes with a pedal, that is even better. That means you will not need to buy a separate pedal.
4. Internal speakers will also be helpful. That way you will not need to buy a separate amplifier. Conversely, the more professional keyboards usually do not come with internal speakers, thought the more expensive “digital pianos” will.
5. Weighted keys are preferred for their nicer feel, but are not critical. Weighted keys simulate the playing feel of a piano.
6. Keyboards range from 4 octaves (49 keys) to 7.5 octaves (88 keys). A full 88 key keyboard (7.5 octaves) is better for playing. However, it will be larger and therefore take up more floor space. The more keys the keyboard has the more playing range it has. More keys will also increase the size and the cost of the instrument.

When buying a keyboard, look at features versus cost to figure out what type of keyboard you want. If you are concerned about cost, see if you can rent-to-own.

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Success Music Studio FAQ #2:

This frequently asked question is similar to the one above, but the answers are very different.

There are three factors to keep in mind when buying a piano: price, size, and sound/playability. You might be able to get two of these, but not all three.

1. You can buy a grand piano that sounds great and plays well, but it will take up your whole living room. Also, it will probably be expensive. However, some baby grand pianos can be relatively reasonably priced.
2. You can buy an upright piano. They are more compact than grand pianos, so that they will not take up the whole room. They can sound good and play well, sometimes even better than lower end baby grand pianos, but these uprights will cost more.
3. You can buy an inexpensive upright piano or spinet. Both of these are compact pianos. However, they usually do not sound as good or play as well as the more expensive options.

Think about the three factors when buying a piano. Decide based on cost, space, and quality which type of piano works best for you.

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Success Music Studio FAQ #3:

The next FAQ concerns the pros and cons of acoustic and electric guitars.

Buying an Electric Guitar:

If buying for a teenager, most teens want to play pop and rock music.  That means an electric guitar will be the better option.

Many guitar companies have introductory packages, such as Fender’s Strat Pack. The Strat Pack gives you:

1. The guitar
2. A small practice amp (Do not worry. It has a volume control that can be turned down.)
3. A cord
4. A strap
5. Picks
6. Extra strings

All this comes in a relatively inexpensive package deal. Other guitar companies also have introductory guitar packages: Yamaha, Ibenez, Laguna, Beringer, First Act, etc.

One advantage to an electric guitar for young students is that the electric’s strings are easier to press down onto the frets. Students find it more comfortable to play than an acoustic guitar.

Acoustic Guitars:

When you are ready to buy an acoustic guitar, these are things to look for:

Children need to play a ¾ size guitar.

A mother of one of my students told me that the guitar that she bought for her son was a Bedford. In my opinion, it is one of the best ¾ sized acoustic guitars that a student has brought into lessons.

The only ¾ size guitar that I have seen that was better is a solid top guitar made by Martin. However, it was more expensive. The Yamaha FG Junior is another good student ¾ size guitar.

A couple of other brands of inexpensive beginner acoustic guitars that students have used are Johnson and Playmate. The Johnson guitars have an okay sound, but have really thick necks, like baseball bats. The playmates have decent playability, but the tone is just okay. Either brand is acceptable, though not ideal, but both have the advantage of being less expensive.

My grandmother, who was a violin teacher, used to say that young students, even more than professionals, need quality instruments. If you are concerned about cost, see if you can rent-to-own.

Nylon string guitars are less painful to play, making them a good option for young students wanting an acoustic guitar. Nylon string guitars need to be played with a felt pick or the body of the guitar can get scratched.

Some good but inexpensive full-size acoustics can be had from brands such as Sigma, Yamaha, Ibenez, and Fender.

Electric vs. Acoustic:

The layout of the notes for the acoustic and the electric guitar is the same. From that perspective it does not matter which type of guitar you choose to get.

As mentioned earlier, the action (the distance between the string and the fret) will be lower on an electric. So, it is a little easier to press down the string, and therefore easier to play. This is why it is often good for younger students.

On the other hand, an electric has to be plugged into an amplifier. You cannot get a lot of sound without a power source.

Partly, it will depend on what kind of guitar you like the sound of, and to a lesser extent, the look of. In other words, it is a personal choice. Some people really prefer electrics and some acoustics. Often, you will know which guitar is right for you when you see it, hear it, and play it.

Never buy an instrument in a toy store, go to a music instrument dealer. It is better to buy a guitar that you can play first, because guitars are made of wood. No two are exactly the same. You can get an inexpensive guitar that is a gem, and an expensive guitar that is a lemon.

If you do not play yet, you can ask a sales associate to demonstrate some of the guitars you are interested in. If you do buy on-line, make sure that the site has a good return policy, just in case there are problems.

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Success Music Studio FAQ #4:

All students should have an instrument before the first lesson. For students who have taken lessons before, please have any old lesson books or materials available at the first lesson. This is important, because it helps us get into the swing of lessons faster.

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Success Music Studio FAQ #5:

This FAQ’s advice:

Parents, it is a good idea for you to check and make sure your children are practicing everything I give them. Also, make sure they are practicing how I tell them to.

Helping your children during practice is a good idea. It can make the difference between your children doing okay and exceling. Do you play or have you played an instrument? It is helpful if you do play an instrument, but it is not critical if you do not play.

The amount your children practice will depend on their ages. The older they are, the more they need to practice. I will give recommendations for the number of practice sessions per week and the amount of time per practice when we meet at the first lesson.

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