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Virtuoso Music has instructors for all major instruments, and a few more uncommon ones as well.
Click on the instrument you are interested to read general information about lessons, including an overview of the instrument, purchase guidelines, and appropriate ages.
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Overview of Piano Lessons
The piano is among one of the most important and popular instruments because the keyboard offers an easy method of producing complex sounds.
Even beginner piano students can produce beautiful music with only a few months of lessons since piano techniques can easily be learned. However, as with any instrument, reaching an advanced level of play requires many years of study and dedication.
Age to Begin Lessons
If you are an adult, it's NEVER too late to learn a new instrument. An often-recommended age to start a child with piano is around 6 years old, although it certainly does depend on the child. We have many 4 and 5 year olds taking lessons successfully, but some children may not be ready until they are a bit older. A child who can recognize numbers up to 10 who you feel can sit through a lesson is usually a good candidate to begin lessons. Of course, for younger children, the session will necessarily need to incorporate fun activities to hold interest!
Purchase Requirements
Electric Keyboard Option: For a new student, an inexpensive electric piano is perfectly acceptable for the first year or so of lessons. We recommend an 88-key full size keyboard, preferably with "weighted" keys in order to get the most use out of your investment. Prices vary, but a nice keyboard can be purchased for $150 or so.
Acoustic Piano Option: Overall, an acoustic piano is the best choice for all students and playing levels because of the range of sounds that can be produced with physical strings. Upright pianos can be purchased for $1,000+ while grand pianos begin around $5,000 with the most expensive going well over $50,000. A nice upright will last you a long time however, and doesn't require much space.
Renting: Renting is certainly an option for all types of pianos, and is commonly used by families desiring an acoustic piano for practicing but not yet ready to make a big purchase.
More Information
If you'd like to learn more about our services, or talk to us about your musical goals, please contact us to learn more. We also encourage you to look around our site to learn more about Virtuoso Music, and below are some links to get you started:
- Learn about all of our great services that we offer to our students.
- View our prices and policies.
- Read about our valuable student benefits including our music credit program, and committment to excellence customer service.
- Learn more about our range of events made available to students, including recitals, festivals, and community activities.
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Overview of Guitar Lessons
The guitar is among one of the most popular instruments due to its familiarity and portability. Students who want to learn just a couple of chords can easily educate themselves through online lessons, videos, and books. But mastering guitar techniques will require more serious dedication and a private teacher is highly recommended to form good habits.
Age to Begin Lessons
Children as young as 7 years of age can be taught to play the guitar, and it's never too late to begin lessons!
Purchase Requirements
There are many types and variation of guitars, although all fall into two general categories: acoustic and electric. Acoustic guitars do not require any external device for amplification, although many available today do come with built-in electronics to assist with volume. Electric guitars will require you to also purchase an amp and necessary cable.
It is generally recommended that students begin their lessons on an acoustic guitar before moving to an electric guitar, and starter kits can be purchased for as low as $100 for either type. Also, small guitars are available for younger children who have trouble holding a regular sized guitar.
For an acoustic guitar, any guitar with six strings (either classic/nylon string guitar or a steel-string guitar) will work along with a medium-gauged pick. If a medium-gauged pick is not available, though, any size will do.
As students advance in their skills, they may choose to purchase a more expensive guitar made with better quality materials, oftentimes producing a much richer sound.
More Information
If you'd like to learn more about our services, or talk to us about your musical goals, please contact us to learn more. We also encourage you to look around our site to learn more about Virtuoso Music, and below are some links to get you started:
- Learn about all of our great services that we offer to our students.
- View our prices and policies.
- Read about our valuable student benefits including our music credit program, and committment to excellence customer service.
- Learn more about our range of events made available to students, including recitals, festivals, and community activities.
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Overview of Voice Training
The importance of formal voice training is too often overlooked, and singing without proper technique can lead to a strained voice or damaged throat. It's revealing that almost all successful vocal musicians have undergone a period of formal voice training at some point in their careers.
Virtuoso Music instructors are experienced professionals who can teach you or your children the foundations necessary for high-quality and healthy vocals, including warm up, breathing, projection, phrasing, placement, posture, and stage presence.
Age to Begin Lessons
Children as young as 5 can begin basic voice training, although some teachers prefer to work with older children and adults.
Purchase Requirements
Your instrument is you, so costs will be limited to music materials or other optional equipment you may desire (such as a projection system and mic).
More Information
If you'd like to learn more about our services, or talk to us about your musical goals, please contact us to learn more. We also encourage you to look around our site to learn more about Virtuoso Music, and below are some links to get you started:
- Learn about all of our great services that we offer to our students.
- View our prices and policies.
- Read about our valuable student benefits including our music credit program, and committment to excellence customer service.
- Learn more about our range of events made available to students, including recitals, festivals, and community activities.
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Overview of Violin Lessons
The violin family of instruments consists of the violin, viola, cello, and double bass - all stringed instruments that are taught by Virtuoso Music instructors. Sometimes it is hard to believe that such a tiny instrument as the violin has made such an impact in the world of music as one of the most prominent symphonic and orchestral instruments ever invented. Private lessons are highly recommended for all of the violin family instruments due to the importance of good technique development.
Age to Begin Lessons
The generally recommended minimum age to start a child in violin is 5 years old, although certain methodologies such as Suzuki can be utilized to teach children as young as 3 or 4 years old.
Purchase Requirements
While renting a violin is often done to acclimate an aspiring violinist to the instrument, rentals are sometimes difficult to practice with because of their lesser quality. However many families with younger students may require a smaller violin, and renting is a cheaper means of changing the size of a violin as the student grows.
If you decide to buy a violin, you may want to go to a “luthier,” which is a violin dealer who makes or repairs stringed instruments. In this case, you will probably need to buy a violin, a bow, and a case separately. For growing students needing different violin sizes, some stores may offer a trade-in policy as long as you take good care of the violin originally purchased.
When buying a higher-quality violin, the student should test out many violins and bows to find the right fit. Modern violins typically cost less than older ones, but older violins do make great investments. Bows must have a good weight, flexibility, and balance between the frog and the tip.
More Information
If you'd like to learn more about our services, or talk to us about your musical goals, please contact us to learn more. We also encourage you to look around our site to learn more about Virtuoso Music, and below are some links to get you started:
- Learn about all of our great services that we offer to our students.
- View our prices and policies.
- Read about our valuable student benefits including our music credit program, and committment to excellence customer service.
- Learn more about our range of events made available to students, including recitals, festivals, and community activities.
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Other Instruments
Virtuoso Music can help you get started on almost any major instrument, including all band and orchestra instruments, drumset, harp, and everything in between. While we do focus on common instruments found in most school music programs, many of our teachers have experience with multiple instruments some of which are less common. Please contact us to find out how we can help you.
More Information
If you'd like to learn more about our services, or talk to us about your musical goals, please contact us to learn more. We also encourage you to look around our site to learn more about Virtuoso Music, and below are some links to get you started:
- Learn about all of our great services that we offer to our students.
- View our prices and policies.
- Read about our valuable student benefits including our music credit program, and committment to excellence customer service.
- Learn more about our range of events made available to students, including recitals, festivals, and community activities.
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