The Answers To Your Top Questions …

How old does my child have to be to take lessons?

Most children are ready for private lessons by the age of 7, but every child is different. Our recommendation on whether a child is ready for music lessons primarily depends on their maturity level and ability to focus and practice, rather than on their age. In general, we often encourage parents to enroll children under 6 in our Munchkin Music preschool program or our music camps to teach them the foundational elements of music and to prepare them for private lessons.

What instrument is best for my child?

Will Mason actually offers some great advice on choosing an instrument for your child, but our general rule is that piano is a great introductory instrument, especially for younger children who do not have a strong preference to any one instrument. We also offer Beginner Camps throughout the year for students who want to get a taste of all the instruments we teach at our studios (piano, guitar, voice, violin and drums) before deciding what lessons to take.

Do you teach adults?

Absolutely. In fact, our teachers love adult students! There are also quite a few advantages to taking lessons later in life. Find out why it’s never too late to learn music as an adult.

How do lessons work?

We teach private weekly lessons, which means one-on-one lessons with the same teacher on the same day and time each week. We do offer some pair lesson options (two students and one teacher), depending on the instrument and the age of the students. We also offer group lessons, or classes, throughout the year, on specific subjects.

Students are matched with a teacher who will be the best fit for the student’s goals, experience, personality and schedule. You will meet with your teacher once a week each week for 30, 45, or 60 minutes, depending on which lesson length you select. The goal for each lesson is to provide time for building a relationship, warming up, reviewing what was learned in the previous lesson and providing new instruction. Most beginner students start with 30 minute lessons, while 45 minutes is great for teens and beginner-level adults and 60-minute lessons are best for most adults and more advanced students who are interested in accelerating their progress.

How do you handle lesson cancellations?

If you have to miss a lesson and provide us with a 24-hour notice, we’ll send you a personalized absentee lesson plan from your teacher, which consists of things like exercises, sheet music, listening homework, and video clips. In the case of your teacher having to miss a lesson, or if you’re sick and provide a doctor’s note to the studio, we’ll be happy to schedule a make-up lesson for you.

Do I have to sign a contract?

Not at all! We offer a month-to-month option, which means you have the freedom to discontinue lessons (with a 2-week notice before the end of the month) whenever you need to. However, if you’re looking for something that gives you more flexibility with your schedule, we have 6-month and 12-month contracts that provide a number of make up lessons along with reduced monthly rates. We highly recommend these contract options for students who are interested in a longer term commitment to lessons. Contract payments are still charged monthly, just like month-to-month payments.

What times are available for lessons?

A majority of our lessons are taught between the hours of 3:00-8:00 PM, Monday through Friday, but schedule availability varies depending on the studio and the teacher. We work to find a day and time that fits best in your schedule and that matches you with a teacher who will help you meet your specific goals. We do offer daytime slots, perfect for adults and homeschool students as well as Saturday spots at our Mountain Brook studio for students who have a busy schedule during the week.

Are lessons year-round?

They sure are! We believe that consistency is key when it comes to taking lessons, and times like summer break can be some of the most productive and fun months for a musician. With less school work and more time to play music, younger students can progress further, faster during the summer. Another benefit of staying in lessons year-round is that you get to keep your preferred lesson time and teacher.

Where do you find your teachers?

Our selection process for bringing teachers onto our team is thorough and includes multiple rounds of interviews, auditions, shadowing veteran teachers, a background check and reference calls. This is to ensure that our greatest asset (that’s YOU) has the best experience. There is a huge difference between having a skill and having the ability to teach that skill. We work hard to find people who have both. The result of all of this effort is that our team of teachers is experienced, talented, inspiring, fun and great at teaching kids and adults alike.

Is there a recital for students?

We have a spring and winter recital each year, usually in May and December. Students are not required to participate but are highly encouraged to sign up. There is a $25 fee to cover the cost of the venue and staffing expenses. Details about our recitals, like what to wear and where to go, can be found here.

Do I have to have an instrument to start lessons?

Just like prepping for going to work or school, there are items that you or your child will need in order to have the best chance at a successful lesson experience. Our studios are equipped with many of the materials you’ll need as a beginner student, like music books, drumsticks, tuners or guitar strings. We also carry a variety of beginner and intermediate instruments like Casio Keyboards, Ludwig Drum Kits, Orange Amps and Alvarez guitars and ukuleles at very affordable prices. Visit our studios to check them out in person.

For guitar students: What kind of guitar do I need?

If you are starting guitar lessons and have a guitar at home that you want to use, make sure you bring it to your first lesson so your teacher can make sure it’s in good condition (example: fits your body, stays in tune and the strings are in good shape). If you don’t have a guitar or are looking to upgrade your instrument for lessons, Mason Music offers a variety of beginner acoustic guitars by Alvarez and electric guitars by Tagima. We also have some great guitar tips in our blog for beginner guitar students.

Ready to rock? Click the button below to select in-person or online lessons, then fill out our online student questionnaire. A staff member from the studio you selected will contact you to find out more about your needs and match you with a time and teacher that works best for you. Come see why we have been voted the best place in Birmingham for music lessons six years in a row!