Malden Music
Private Music Lesson Policies

Instruction
All students enrolled with Malden Music for private music lessons will receive an individualized program of music instruction with training in repertoire, theory, technique and music history.  Piano students receive a repertoire with the emphasis on classical music as well as technique, music history, ear training and theory.  Guitar students will be taught basic chording, strumming, basic finger picking, ear training, basic music theory, reading TABS and piano fundamentals. The private lesson is the core of instruction. 

Piano
Be certain that your piano is in tune and in good working condition.  It is difficult to develop strong skills on a piano that is out of tune or not in good working order.  While a full sized, 88 key piano is preferred, students may use a keyboard with NO LESS than 61 keys if it is absolutely necessary.  Students using a keyboard to practice on must have access to a regular piano to practice pedaling skills on.

Guitar
A good acoustic guitar is a requirement.  Students should have their guitars tuned properly prior to each lesson and keep their strings changed as necessary. The frequency of changing strings will be determined by instructor but you can expect to change them at least every 3-4 months. Students will be taught how to tune and change strings on their guitars. I usually have a bulk supply of C. F. Martin 92/8 light strings for sale for approximately $6.00 a set or you may purchase your strings elsewhere.  Guitar students will have sore fingers at first; there is no way around this except to play through the pain until sufficient finger callus development occurs.

Other Instruments
Instruction on other instruments is available as follows:  flute, organ or voice for all levels. Curriculum for this instruction will be decided on an individual basis.

Tuition & Payment
Tuition payments are expected in advance, payable on the first lesson day of each month.  Your tuition remains the same no matter how many lessons are received. Your tuition reserves your lesson time and missed lessons are not made up except in certain circumstances. Monthly tuition is $50.00 for 4 (four) 30 minute weekly private lessons in my home. Months which have a 5th week are taken off by the instructor. Tuition does not include music books, theory books, supplies or any audition/festival fees. If you don't pay the tuition at  your first lesson each month, there will not be any additional lessons until the balance is paid in full.

Waiting List
When my schedule is full, you can be placed on my waiting list until a spot opens up. A $20 deposit will hold your place and is credited back to you on your first month's tuition.

Attendance
Please be sure that the student arrives no more than 5 minutes early and is picked up no later than 5 minutes past the end of the lesson time. It is distracting to another student whose lesson is in progress. Lesson times will not be extended if you are late.  Please be prompt!

Missed Lessons
Your lesson time is reserved exclusively for you. There are no make up lessons unless you have an emergency or an acute illness and I am notified ASAP. If you need to contact me my answering machine is always on or you can call my cell phone. If I have to cancel a lesson, it will be made up or the next monthly tuition will be credited to reflect the missed lesson.

Bad Weather
In case there are severe weather conditions and it is dangerous to drive, we'll try to arrange another lesson time.

Email
Due to the large number of students I have, email is the most efficient way for me to communicate with you. If you have email, please set your browser to accept emails from:
maldenmusic@myvcs.net
and check it often

Instructor Responsibilities
1. Develop in students an enthusiasm, love and respect for music.
2. Provide high quality, well prepared, individualized lessons.
3. Provide a positive learning environment for each student.
4. Encourage students to ask questions and respect their opinions.
5. Encourage communication between students, parents and instructor.
6.  Encourage student participation in public performances.
7. Teach students HOW to practice what they've been taught.
8.  Most importantly, help students have FUN while learning.

Student Responsibilities
1. Students should arrive on time with previous assignments completed.
2. Bring assignment book, music & theory books and any other materials needed to each lesson.
3.  Pay attention during lessons and follow directions.
4. Ask questions if you don't understand; otherwise, I'll assume you do!
5. Develop and stick to a practice routine 20-30 minutes daily, 4-5 days a week.
6. Keep a positive attitude.
7. Be ready to work hard.
8. Have FUN!

Parent Responsibilities
1. Remind the student to practice and provide an atmosphere that is quiet for them to practice in.
2.  Be supportive of the student's desire to learn music.
3. Pay tuition at the first lesson of each month unless prior arrangements have been made with me.
4. Ask questions of the instructor-communication is essential!
5.  Make sure student's instruments are kept in tune/good working order.
6. Encourage student to participate in recitals.
7. Provide your child with a spiral notebook for keeping assignments and look through it weekly.
8. You may OCCASIONALLY visit during lessons if it is okay with the student but please don't bring any other children with you.
9. Have FUN with the student while they learn-you might be surprised at what you'll learn, too!

Summer Lessons
I offer music lessons during the summer months and the student is encouraged to continue during that time.  Much knowledge and technique, especially in younger students, is lost when lessons are discontinued for a time.  Summer is also the perfect time for music lessons due to the fact that you don't have the pressures of school activities or homework.  If you are going on a summer vacation we will reschedule your lessons if you give me advance notice.

 Cell Phones
If you bring your cell phone with you, I expect it to be turned off during lesson time.

Terminating Lessons
Students who wish to terminate lessons should give 2 weeks notice. I encourage you to stay with your musical instruction at least one year before deciding it might not be for you. You WILL NOT become proficient in just a few lessons.

Dismissals
Unfortunately, I will have to dismiss a student if any of the following occur:
1. Failure to pay tuition on time
2. Persistent absences or tardiness/not notifying me prior to absences more than twice in a row
3. Uncooperative attitude
4. Lack of progress due to insufficient practice or unfinished requirements
5. Failure to bring music books to your lessons on a consistent basis.
6. Consistently not being prepared for lessons.
7. Any other circumstances as deemed by instructor

Referral Bonus
Personal referrals are the highest compliment you can give me as a teacher.  I truly appreciate your referrals and will credit your lesson account $15 for each student you refer to me after they have taken lessons 2 months.

Recital Participation
I have music recitals once or twice a year and my students are encouraged to participate.  Recitals prepare you for the world of public performance and are an excellent way to show off your musical skills-they are also just plain fun!  My students may also be asked to participate in local community events occasionally.

Enjoy
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to teach you or your child in my home.  I look forward to sharing my love & knowledge of music with you!

cfl




                                                                                                                                                             

                                                         


       Below I have pictures of some of my musical instruments;  email me if you have something you'd like to show off here 

                                                                                                                                   
  
                            
                                                                                        


      
                                                         
                                                                                               

    
 Pictured below is an Artero Classical
     guitar owned by Al Mewhirter of Malden. 

QUOTABLES

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." Bob Marley

"Music should go right through you, leave some of itself inside you & take some of you with it when it goes."  Henry Threadgill

"A painter paints pictures on canvas but musicians paint their pictures on silence."  Leopold Stokowski

"You are the music while the music lasts."  T. S. Eliot

"If you've got time to breathe, you've got time for music."  Brisco Darling

"Music really does become the soundtrack to the major events in your life."  Sheryl Crow

"Music is a healer.  I can't think of anything on God's green earth that one can't see or hold that has such an effect on humans."  Steve Pryor, Tulsa guitarist

"Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, & never dies."  Edward George Bulwer-Lytton

"Where words fail, music speaks."  Hans Christian Anderson

"Music, especially if it's the kind you really like, can do wonderful things for you."  Juice Newton

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music & cats."  Albert Schweitzer

"I'll play if first & figure out what it's called later."  Miles Davis

"If I ever die of a heart attack,  I hope it's from playing my stereo too loud."  Anonymous

"Music is the universal language of mankind."  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Play the music, not the instrument."  Author unknown

"Alas for those that never sing but die with all their music in them!"  Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Music expresses that which cannot be said & on which it is impossible to be silent."  Victor Hugo

"Music is what feelings sound like."  Anonymous

"For whatever reason, not all people are born with the particular gift of being able to express themselves through music.  And believe me, it is a gift."  Billy Joel

"If learning music isn't fun then what's the point?"  Cindy Folks

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without."  Confucius

"Without music, life would be a mistake."  Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche                 

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."  Thomas Carlyle

"There are more love songs than anything else.  If songs could make you do something, we'd all love one another."  Frank Zappa

"Music, the greatest good that mortals know & all of heaven we have below."  Joseph Addison

"Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue."  Plato

"Music should never be harmless."  Robbie Robertson

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible, is music."  Aldous Huxley

"If music be the food of love, play on."  William Shakespeare

"The whole world's nothing but three or four chords."  Butch Lester

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak."  William Congreve

"We don't like their sound & guitar music is on the way out."  Decca Recording Company, referring to the Beatles, 1962