Guitar • Bass • Ukulele Tuition
Waltons New School of Music
‘The guitar is a small orchestra. It is polyphonic. Every string is a different colour, a different voice.’
– Andrés Segovia
‘If you’re going to sweep the floor, sweep it better than anybody in town. And if you’re going to play the guitar, really, really, really get into it, and don’t be jivin’.’
– Carlos Santana
‘Sometimes I can’t think of a better way to end my day than coming home and just strumming my ukulele for a few minutes. I mean, I joke around and tell people that it’s an entire yoga session in one strum, you know?’
– Jake Shimabukuro
Taught by experts and available both in-school and online, the New School’s comprehensive Guitar • Bass • Ukulele Programme offers tuition in a wide range of genres and styles, for students of all ages and skill levels.
Instruments Taught
We offer tuition in:
- Acoustic Guitar (various styles)
- Blues Guitar (acoustic & electric)
- Classical Guitar
- Electric Guitar (various styles)
- Fingerstyle Guitar
- Irish Traditional Guitar
- Jazz Guitar
- Rock Guitar
- Electric Bass • Bass Guitar (various styles)
- Jazz Bass
- Ukulele (various styles)
Guitar, bass and ukulele tuition can also include preparation for music grade exams from preliminary to performance or teaching diploma level, as well as Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and it counts as the ‘personal skill’ challenge area for Gaisce – The President’s Award. (For more information on grade examinations for drum kit, see the Grade Exam Syllabi tab below. And for more information on Gaisce, see the Gaisce – The President’s Award tab on our Tuition Options page.) Electric guitar and bass tuition can also include instruction in effects and technology. All of our guitar, bass and ukulele teachers are also active performers, both live and recorded.
Questions about our guitar, bass
& ukulele tuition?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
In-School & Online Tuition
We offer both in-school tuition, which takes place in the New School, and online tuition, which takes place in your own home.
In-School Tuition
We have made a number of changes to the school, its equipment and our policies to make in-school tuition as safe as possible during the time of COVID-19. These include:
- Perspex screens in every classroom.
- Installation of HEPA air filtration/purification units where necessary.
- Antiseptic dispensers available throughout the school.
- Cleaning and disinfection of both classroom instruments and furniture between lessons and classes.
- Regular cleaning of public spaces.
See our COVID-19 Safety Policy page for more information on what we have done, as well as the protocols we expect all in-school students and visitors to follow.
Online Tuition
Online tuition is taught by the same expert teachers as our in-school tuition and takes place where you are, anywhere in Ireland or around the world.
For online tuition, you will need:
- An instrument for tuition and practice (except for voice, theory, songwriting and music technology tuition).
- An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Headphones or earbuds, if possible.¹
- Free Zoom software or app.²
- Waltons Music has Zoom headphones and microphones that are ideal for online music tuition and are available at 5% discounts for enrolled New School students. If you would like to obtain a discount, please contact Waltons with your instrument choice and include a scan or photo of your course payment receipt.
- If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
See our Online Tuition page for more information on online tuition with the New School, as well as the instruments, subjects and courses we offer online.
Tuition Options
Our options for guitar, bass and ukulele tuition, both in-school and online, include:
- Weekly private lessons, 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length.
- Weekly partner lessons and small group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, and available as 30- 45- or 60-minute partner lessons, 45- or 60-minute small group lessons for 3 students and 60-minute small group lessons for 4 students. Online partner and small group lessons are possible both for students in the same location and for students in different locations.
- Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons.
- Five group courses for beginners – Introducing Guitar for Adults, Introducing Guitar for Teens, Introducing Guitar for Children, Introducing Ukulele for Adults and Introducing Ukulele for Children. (See Group Courses for Beginners tab.)
- Two group courses for intermediate students – Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics and Trad Guitar Basics. (See Intermediate Courses tab.)
See Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and small group lessons, and Enrolment • Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.
Group Courses for Beginners
We offer five acclaimed foundation courses for absolute beginners, as well as summer versions of both our Guitar for Adults and Ukulele for Adults courses:
- Introducing Guitar for Adults
- Summer Guitar for Adults
- Introducing Guitar for Children
- Introducing Guitar for Teens
- Introducing Ukulele for Adults
- Summer Ukulele for Adults
- Introducing Ukulele for Children
No previous music experience or the ability to read music is required to take part in these courses.
‘I would highly recommend the [Guitar for Adults] course to anyone who always wanted to learn the guitar, especially those who think they are “too late” or are afraid of the instrument.’
– J. McNally
‘An excellent music course for children [Guitar for Children]. I’m delighted at the progress [my daughter] has made – as is she!’
– S. Murphy
‘A great introduction to guitar [Guitar for Teens] and will be something I’ll continue into the future.’
– J. Keating
‘Really enjoyed the [Ukulele for Adults] course and am amazed at how much I learned in ten weeks!’
– N. McDonnell
‘A great music course for kids. [Ukulele for Children] My daughter has grown in confidence because of it and can’t wait to play the songs she’s learned for her friends.
– F. Browne
Intermediate Courses
We currently offer two ‘Basics’ courses for guitar that provide extensive introductions to the styles for players with some previous experience:
‘I learned more from this 10-week [Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics] course than from trying to teach myself acoustic blues for over 10 years!’
– D. Farrelly
‘After each [Trad Guitar Basics] session I left with a smile on my face because I’d learned something new. Thank you very much and see you for another course.’
– M. Pardelinha
Other Courses
Beginning guitar and bass students should consider supplementing their tuition with Music Fundamentals, a 10-week course introducing the essentials of reading and writing musical notation, as well as elementary musical grammar, for music-reading beginners.
Introducing Music Technology is a practical, hands-on online course designed to teach absolute beginners how a computer or laptop and free music production software can be used to produce professional-quality recordings at home.
Our Songwriting Workshop will help you to develop your creative ideas – in any musical style – and turn them into finished songs.
The Art & Craft of Songwriting is an acclaimed summer workshop that takes participants through different approaches to the songwriting process, integrating the craft’s many skills into a seamless artistic whole.
Facilitated by hit songwriter Luan Parle and designed for participants who have previously taken a songwriting course or workshop with the New School (for example, our Songwriting Workshop or The Art & Craft of Songwriting) or elsewhere, or who have already written the music and/or lyrics to one or more songs, our Collaborative Songcamp is an exciting new concept in songwriting tuition.
‘This course [Music Fundamentals] is perfect for anyone with an interest in music. It starts with the very basics of theory and the information is made easy to understand. There is a good atmosphere in the class, being with people who share your passion for music.’
– I. Colgan
‘I have wanted to do a music technology course for years, but the opportunity didn’t come up until I saw that Waltons were offering an online version of their Introducing Music Technology course. Signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. My zero experience in recording music was no problem because it is tailored for beginners, and looking back on how much I learned in such a short space of time is incredible! The teacher is very friendly, helpful, and explains things in a clear and concise way. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in the subject!’
– A. Hickey
‘This course [Songwriting Workshop] gave me great confidence in songwriting, and to have the guidance of a professional songwriter was so helpful. The course helped me both lyrically and musically to realise my songwriting potential, and I am now constantly writing new material.’
– A. Bradley
‘I thoroughly enjoyed The Art & Craft of Songwriting workshop with Melanie O’Reilly. I found the content very interesting and informative and I’m continuously putting it into practice in my writing. Melanie is a brilliant teacher, enjoyable and fun to listen to. She has so much knowledge and experience, and the course has helped me to get a grasp on how to go about writing a song with a structure. It was also a lovely way of meeting people with similar interests, and we still keep in touch. I would highly recommend the course.’
– C. Horan
Ensembles • Sessions
We have a comprehensive Jazz Ensembles programme of interest to guitar and bass students who would like to explore jazz, including Jazz Ensemble I, for those with no previous jazz experience; Jazz Ensemble II, an intermediate ensemble; and Jazz Ensemble III, an advanced ensemble.
Ukulele students may be interested in joining our Ukulele Ensemble. Designed for ukulele players at all levels, the group works on and performs a huge range of music, arranged to be accessible for near-beginners but also including elements that are challenging for more experienced players.
Guitar students may be interested in our Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players and taking place monthly on Friday evenings
Guitar • Bass • Ukulele Faculty
- Michael Behan • acoustic / classical / electric / jazz guitar
- Éamonn Galldubh • acoustic guitar, ukulele, Introducing Ukulele for Adults
- Andrew Keeling • acoustic / classical guitar
- Enrien Lamcellari • electric bass / bass guitar
- Miguel Ángel Lejarza • classical / flamenco guitar
- Michael McInerney • acoustic / fingerstyle guitar
- George Mercer • acoustic / electric guitar, electric bass / bass guitar, ukulele, Introducing Guitar for Adults, Introducing Guitar for Children, Introducing Ukulele for Adults, Introducing Ukulele for Children
- David Mooney • electric bass / bass guitar, jazz bass, acoustic / electric guitar
- Gary Norman • acoustic / electric guitar, ukulele, Introducing Guitar for Adults, Introducing Ukulele for Adults
- Colin Power • acoustic / electric guitar, ukulele, Introducing Guitar for Adults, Introducing Ukulele for Adults, Ukulele Ensemble
- John Sweeney • acoustic / electric / traditional guitar, Introducing Guitar for Adults,
Introducing Guitar for Teens, Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics, Trad Guitar Basics
New School Stage System
Guitar, bass and ukulele tuition at the New School is designed to work within our Stage System, a comprehensive methodology for assessing student progress, from absolute beginner to a professional qualification (diploma).
New School Stages, ten in all, are roughly equivalent to the ‘grades’ of graded music exams offered by widely recognised exam boards (ABRSM, RIAM, Trinity Guildhall, Rockschool, etc.) and progress from beginner to performing or teaching diploma level. Stages and their grade equivalents are:
- Stage 1 (1 term of lessons or an Introducing group course for beginners, equivalent to Preliminary Grade)
- Stage 2 (1 year of lessons, equivalent to Grade 1)
- Stage 3 (equivalent to Grade 2 or an intermediate group course)
- Stage 4 (equivalent to Grade 3)
- Stage 5 (equivalent to Grade 4)
- Stage 6 (equivalent to Grade 5)
- Stage 7 (equivalent to Grade 6)
- Stage 8 (equivalent to Grade 7)
- Stage 9 (equivalent to Grade 8)
- Stage 10 (equivalent to a Performing or Teaching Diploma)
Students who successfully complete a stage can be issued with a certificate of completion. Please let the school office know if you would like this certificate.
See About Our Stage System for more information.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for private, partner and small group lessons are listed in the Enrolment • Fees section of our website and depend on the length of lessons as well as the duration (number of terms) of enrolment:
- First Term (September-December) • First-Second Term • First-Third Term Fees
- First Term Late Enrolment Fees
- Second Term (January-March/April) • Second-Third Term Fees
- Second Term Late Enrolment Fees
- Third Term (March/April-June) Fees
- Third Term Late Enrolment Fees
- Summer Term (July-August) Fees
- Summer Term Late Enrolment Fees
- Intensive Lesson Fees
Group course fees are listed on individual group course pages.
Tuition Assistance
The New School is dedicated to providing high quality music education for a wide range of students, whatever their financial circumstances, and our Tuition Assistance programme is designed to help defray the cost of tuition with us. Although there are a limited number of Tuition Assistance awards each year, every effort will be made to assist students (or their parents) who, because of financial circumstances, would otherwise be unable to study with us. Tuition assistance awards are in the form of discounts of between 10% and 40% off the student’s fees and depend on the both student’s and the New School’s financial circumstances, as well as the type of tuition. See our Tuition Assistance Policy for more information or follow the link below to apply for tuition assistance.
Enrolment • Booking
Enrolment for guitar, bass and ukulele tuition with Waltons New School of Music requires a completed enrolment form and, except for those students using payment plans, full payment of tuition fees. Intensive Lesson booking requires a completed booking form and deposit.
Lessons & Ensembles
First – Third Terms
Group Courses for Adults & Teens
First – Third Terms
Group Courses for Children
First – Third Terms
Lessons, Courses & Workshops
Summer Term
Intensive Lessons
Gift Certificates
Questions About
Enrolment & Booking?
Your Feedback
Have you learned – or are you learning – guitar, bass or ukulele with the New School? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about your experience. Thank you!
We would also appreciate your Google review, which will help to spread the word about the quality of our tuition.
Tuning Your Instrument
Tuning your instrument – and keeping it in tune – is an essential first step to playing it. Below are some recommendations for tuning guitars, basses and ukuleles.
Guitars
Guitars
Here are some simple instructions for tuning your guitar, as well as guitar tuning apps.
Strings
The open strings of a guitar, from thickest/lowest to thinnest/highest, are:
- E, the sixth, thickest and lowest sounding string
- A, the fifth string
- D, the fourth string
- G, the third string
- B, the second string
- E, the first, thinnest and highest sounding string
Tuning
- The E string. Tune the bottom E string as accurately as you can. Chances are it’s already in tune; being the thickest string it is less likely to ‘detune’ itself than any of the others. If you have a tuning app or another instrument such as a piano or keyboard, you can tune it to the second E below middle C. If you have no device or instrument handy, just try to get it as accurate as possible; what really counts when you are playing is that the guitar is in tune with itself.
- The A string. Place the first finger of your left hand (or right hand if you’re playing a left-handed guitar) just behind the fifth fret on the bottom E string. That’s an A note. Keep your finger on that fret. Now pick the fifth and sixth strings in turn, gently adjusting the fifth string tuning peg until the two notes are the same.
- The D string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the A string. That’s a D note. Tune the fourth string (the D note) to that.
- The G string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the D string. That’s a G note. Tune your G string to that.
- The B string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fourth fret. Note that the B string is the only one that comes from a different position, the fourth fret; the rest are from the fifth fret.
- The E string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the B string. That’s an E note.
Tuning Apps
There are a number of free smartphone guitar tuning apps available. Here are two of the most popular:
GuitarTuna
Android:
iOS:
Fender Tune
Android:
iOS:
A wide range of clip-on electronic tuners, which are inexpensive and easy to use, are also available.
Basses
Basses
Here are some simple instructions for tuning your bass, as well as bass tuning apps.
Strings
The standard tuning for a four-string bass is E, A, D, G (the same as the four lowest strings on the guitar but one octave lower). Bass strings are tuned in fourths, and from thickest to thinnest they are:
- E, the fourth, thickest and lowest sounding string
- A, the third string
- D, the second string
- G, the first string
Tuning
- The E string. Tune the bottom E string as accurately as you can. Chances are it’s already in tune; being the thickest string it’s less likely to ‘detune’ itself than any of the others. If you have another instrument such as a piano or keyboard, you can tune it to the second E below middle C. If you have no device or instrument handy, just try to get it as accurate as possible; what really counts when you are playing is that the guitar is in tune with itself.
- The A string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the bottom E string. That’s an A note. Keep your finger on that fret. Now pick the fifth and sixth strings in turn, gently adjusting the fifth string tuning peg until the two notes are the same.
- The D string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the A string. That’s a D note. Tune the fourth string (the D note) to that.
- The G string. Place the first finger of your left hand just behind the fifth fret on the D string. That’s a G note. Tune your G string to that.
Tuners
There are a number of free smartphone bass tuning apps available, and here are four of the most popular:
GuitarTuna – Tuner for Guitar Ukulele Bass
Android:
iOS:
Fender Tune
Android:
iOS:
Ultimate Bass Tuner
Android Only:
Bass Tuner BT1
iOS Only:
A wide range of clip-on electronic tuners, which are inexpensive and easy to use, are also available.
Ukuleles
Ukuleles
Here are some simple instructions for tuning your ukulele, as well as ukulele tuning apps.
Strings
The open strings of a ukulele, from thickest to thinnest, are:
- G, the fourth string (furthest left on the fretboard)
- C, the third string
- E, the second string
- A, the first string
Tuning
- The A string. Begin by tuning the first string (A). If you have another instrument such as a piano or keyboard, you can use it to tune the string. If you have no device or instrument handy, just try to get it as accurate as possible; what really counts when you are playing is that the ukulele is in tune with itself.
- The E String. Place your finger just behind the fifth fret on the second string (E). That’s an A note. When you pick the first string (A), it should sound the same. You can adjust the second string with the tuning pegs on the headstock until they do.
- The C string. Place your finger just behind the fourth fret on the third string (C). That’s an E note. When you pick the second string (E), it should sound the same. You can adjust the third string with the tuning pegs on the headstock until they do.
- The G string. Most ukuleles are tuned with a high G string. Place your finger just behind the second fret on the fourth string (G). That’s an A note. When you pick the first string (A), it should sound the same. You can adjust the fourth string with the tuning pegs on the headstock until they do.
Tuning Apps
There are a number of free smartphone ukulele tuning apps available, and here are three of the most popular:
Ukulele Tuner
Android Only:
Tunefor Ukulele Tuner
iOS Only:
GuitarTuna – Tuner for Guitar Ukulele Bass
Android:
iOS:
A wide range of clip-on electronic tuners, which are inexpensive and easy to use, are also available.
Martin A. Walton Memorial Scholarships
Running since 1995 and taking place in late May / early June each year, the New School’s annual Martin A. Walton Memorial Scholarship Competition offers the most generous scholarship opportunities of any music school in Ireland. The Competition awards full-year tuition scholarships in three categories:
- Young Student of the Year (students aged 18 and under)
- Mature Student of the Year (students aged 19 and over)
- Most Promising Beginner (students who came to the school as beginners on their instruments)
New School Ensemble Prize
This prize is awarded for the best performance in our Scholarship Competition by an instrumental, vocal or mixed ensemble/group made up of two or more students, as well as for progress over the school year.
Songwriting • Composition Prize
This prize is is awarded for the most creative original composition or song for solo instrument, voice or ensemble, performed by the composer/songwriter alone or with a group.
See Scholarships • Prizes for more information.
Grade Exam Syllabi
Links to downloadable guitar and bass syllabi (pdf format) with different exam boards:
- Associated Board – Classical Guitar
- London College of Music – Acoustic Guitar
- London College of Music – Classical Guitar
- London College of Music – Electric Guitar
- London College of Music – Rock Guitar
- London College of Music / Registry of Guitar Tutors – Bass
- London College of Music – Ukulele
- Rockschool – Guitar
- Rockschool – Bass
- Rockschool – Ukulele
- Royal Irish Academy of Music – Classical Guitar
- Trinity College London – Acoustic & Plectrum Guitar
- Trinity College London – Classical Guitar
Friday Casual Concerts
Our Friday Casual Concerts are a great opportunity for students of all instruments (and all musical styles) to play in public, in a relaxed and supportive setting, before friends, family and other students. These brief concerts, which take place around once a month on Friday evenings at 7 pm in the school, allow individual students and ensembles to perform in public, show off their skills and learn how to cope with nerves. They are also highly recommended for students preparing for exams.
End-of-Year Concert
Our End-of-Year Student Concert takes place in the National Concert Hall’s John Field Room each June and showcases some of our best students and ensembles, of all ages and in all musical styles, as well as scholarship and prize winners in our Scholarship Competition. Performers are selected by their teachers and the school administration.
See School Concerts for more information.
Student Benefits
Currently-enrolled students (and parents of students) at the New School are entitled to several useful benefits, including:
- Discounts on Waltons World Masters Series events
- Discounts from Waltons Music
- Discounts on ensembles, sessions and music theory courses
- Discounts on practice facilities
- Discounts on city-centre parking
See Student Benefits for more information.
Outreach Programme
The New School’s Outreach Programme offers a range of one-off workshops and longer-term music courses that take place in primary schools, post-primary schools, youth centres and special needs organisations. We offer both Guitar and Ukulele courses for absolute beginners as part of the programme. See the Outreach Programme section of this website for more information.
Music at Work Programme
Music at Work is a unique programme that provides convenient and affordable music courses in Dublin-area workplaces. We offer Guitar and Ukulele courses for absolute beginners as part of the programme. See Music at Work Programme for more information.
What are the benefits of learning guitar, bass or ukulele?
There are many benefits of learning guitar, bass or ukulele, but here are four to start with:
- It enhances concentration. Learning to play guitar, bass or ukulele requires focus and concentration. Every time you sit down to practice, your ability to concentrate will improve. This is why young people who learn guitar, bass or ukulele see improved scores in other subjects. Their concentration improves for everything – not just their music.
- It keeps your mind sharp. Whether you’re a child, teenager, adult or older person, learning guitar, bass or ukulele will help improve mental clarity and keep your mind sharp. You may not notice a change at first, but your mental clarity will gradually improve the more you practice.
- It’s fun. Being able to pick up your guitar, bass or ukulele at the end of a stressful day and enjoy playing music is immensely rewarding. Jamming with your friends, performing a song or writing your own music are all great experiences.
- It gives you a deeper appreciation of music. If you enjoy listening to music, learning to play guitar, bass or ukulele will give you a much better understanding and appreciation of music. Your ears will start noticing more details in the songs you enjoy.
I'm a beginner. What should I look for in buying a guitar, bass or ukulele?
There is no ‘right’ answer to this question, and choosing the best guitar or bass for you or your child will depend on several factors, including the type of music you or your child is interested in learning/playing and age.
Guitars
Generally speaking, folk, traditional, song accompaniment, acoustic blues, etc. are usually played on a steel-string acoustic guitar. This is the type of guitar we recommend for students in our Introducing Guitar for Adults and Introducing Guitar for Teens courses. Rock, metal, electric blues, alternative, etc. are usually played on an electric guitar. And classical, Spanish/flamenco and sometimes folk and traditional are usually played on a nylon-string classical guitar. Partial size nylon-string guitars are generally the easiest for younger players, and this is the type of guitar we recommend for students in our Introducing Guitar for Children course.
Basses
The two most common electric bass types are precision and jazz, and the two main difference between them are their necks and pickups. Precision bass necks have a fairly consistent thickness, and closer to the nut (the small piece of hard material under the strings, near the headstock) they taper in slightly. Jazz bass necks are thinner and are more noticeably tapered towards the nut, making them easier to play for beginners and younger students. Precision basses generally have a split-coil pickup that produces a more defined and ‘solid’ bass sound. Jazz basses have dual humbucking pickups that produce a ‘cleaner’ sound and give players a wider variety of tonal possibilities.
Ukuleles
Sometimes thought of as little more than a toy in the past, the ukulele is now used by musicians and bands the world over – and ukuleles are now available for everyone from beginners to professionals. The main considerations when choosing a ukulele are size and quality. Ukuleles come in four standard sizes: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Soprano and concert ukuleles are the most popular and the sizes that most people associate the ukulele with. Soprano ukuleles are generally the best size for children and are recommended for our Introducing Ukulele for Children course. Concert ukuleles are generally the best size for teens and adults and are recommended for our Introducing Ukulele for Adults course. Regarding quality, as a general rule, try to buy the best ukulele you can comfortably afford. There are countless ‘cheap’ ukuleles available, but the vast majority are little more than toys. Start instead with a reasonably priced ‘budget’ uke, which will offer the best balance of quality and affordability.
Do I need my own guitar, bass or ukulele to take lessons or a course?
Yes. You will need your own instrument both for the lessons/course you are taking and for practice at home. However, it is possible to use a school instrument for the first in-school lesson or class so that you can get advice from the teacher on choosing the best instrument for you. Let us know before your first lesson if you would like to do this. Although all students should bring their own instruments to in-school lessons and classes, electric guitar and bass students do not need to bring their own amplifiers.
What is the best age for a child to start lessons?
Six years old is usually the youngest age that we start students on guitar, as it is physically challenging for students younger than this. When to start guitar lessons depends on children’s coordination and attention span, as well as their hand size. It is also generally best for children to start off with 1/2- or 3/4-size nylon-string guitars, as these make it much easier for them to ‘fret’ notes without the strings hurting their fingers. Young beginners can start with private (one-to-one) lessons at the school, or take our Introducing Guitar for Children group course for children aged 6-8.
Because bass is a more physically demanding instrument than either guitar or ukulele, we don’t recommend starting it before the age of eight or nine.
Because the ukulele such a small and lightweight instrument, it is easy for younger children to learn, and they can start as young as five. As with guitar, coordination and attention span are two factors to consider. We also offer a Introducing Ukulele for Children group course for children aged 6-8.
Am I too old? to start lessons/
No one is too old to learn a musical instrument, and we have successfully taught guitar, bass and ukulele to hundreds of mature students, of all ages. Adults can start either with 30-minute private (one-to-one) lessons or two of our popular group courses for absolute beginners, Introducing Guitar for Adults and Introducing Ukulele for Adults.
Both of my children want to learn. Can they take lessons together?
Yes. They can take in-school or online ‘partner’ guitar, bass or ukulele lessons, as long as they start at the same level. Partner lessons are an enjoyable and satisfying way to explore music together. Ideally, the children will benefit from mutual observation and motivate each other to improve – and the enjoyment will go well beyond the lessons as they practise and progress together.
What skill levels do you teach?
We teach students from complete beginners to advanced, up to and including diploma level for guitar and bass. All of our teachers take beginning and intermediate level students, and each of them has specific areas of expertise for advanced guitar or bass lessons, including classical, jazz, rock/metal, blues, funk, fingerstyle, Irish traditional and flamenco.
Do I / does my child need to practise every day?
Practice is an essential element of music learning, and spreading practice over the course of a week is far more effective than cramming it into the day or two before your next lesson. (When Pablo Casals, one of the greatest cellists in history, was asked, at the age of 80, why he still practised every day, he replied, ‘Because I think I am making progress.’) If it simply isn’t practical to practise every day, try to aim for five days per week. See our Practice Tips page for some suggestions on how to practice productively.
Can you prepare me/my child for grade or practical examinations?
Although we don’t require students to take grade examinations, tuition can certainly include preparation for grade exams, up to and including diploma level and with a range of exam boards. These including the Associated Board, London College of Music, Rockschool, Royal Irish Academy of Music and Trinity College London. (See the Grade Exam Syllabi tab above for more information.) Our teachers can also prepare students for Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practical exams.
What's the point of lessons when I can use a book or YouTube videos?
A teacher can observe your technique and progress in real-time and give you immediate feedback, specifically tailored to your needs and goals. You will be reassured by getting reinforcement for things you do well and constructive advice for areas that need improvement. Questions and difficulties can be dealt with as they arise, so you do not develop bad habits that will later be hard to correct. While there are many materials and aids available to help you ‘teach yourself’, determining where to begin and what path to follow are not so simple. A good teacher evaluates your skill level, provides sound guidance to keep you on track and focused on topics most appropriate for your development and personal objectives, and motivates you to improve.
What about tabs vs. music notation?
Beginners learning guitar, having discovered tabs, frequently ask whether there is any point in learning standard musical notation as well. The answer really depends on what you want to do in terms of playing guitar.
Tabs (or tablature, to use the full term) are easy to learn and can be a great help in learning to play your favourite song or piece of music. However, it is also important to realise that they are limited – all they do is show you which frets to finger and in which order. They cannot show you time or key signatures or note length, which means that unless you already know the piece of music you intend to play, you will have no idea what it should sound like. You can’t learn an unfamiliar piece of music from tabs alone.
If you learn to read music, on the other hand, the time will come when there will be nothing you can’t play and no one you can’t play with. All you will need is the music, widely available in music shops and online.
Your teacher can include some music reading as part of your lessons. Alternatively, you can take our Music Fundamentals course, which provides a solid foundation in music reading in just 10 weeks.
What kind of pick do I need?
First of all, you don’t always need a pick, and nylon string (‘classical’) guitars, basses and ukuleles are generally played without picks. Otherwise picks (or plectrums) come in many sizes, materials and thicknesses, although they tend to be a fairly uniform shape. The key question is their thickness, which varies from almost paper thin to rigidly thick, and the material they are made from. Both qualities change the sound the guitar produces when played with a pick. The best advice for a beginner guitar player is to buy a packet of assorted sizes/thicknesses and find out how each one affects your playing and the sounds your guitar makes. You will quickly find that you have one or two favourites that you nearly always use. Here is a simple chart that explains pick thickness:
| THICKNESS (mm) | RATING | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| < .80 mm | Light Gauge | Picks lighter than .80mm tend to be thin and quite fragile. It is difficult to play lead lines with them, but they are perfect for strumming chords. |
| .80 mm – 1.2 mm | Regular Gauge | Mass manufacturers rate this gauge as ‘heavy’ while premium pick manufacturers consider it to be ‘thin’. |
| 1.2mm – 1.5 mm | Heavy Gauge | Picks at (or above) this level of thickness are often preferred by lead guitar players. |
| 1.5mm – 2.00 mm | Extra Heavy Gauge | Also used by lead guitar players. |
| > 2.00 mm | Super Heavy Gauge | Picks heavier than 2mm may be unplayable for some players, but it really depends on the bevel or picking edge. |
My strings buzz when I play. What can I do about this?
This could be due to one of two things. The first and most likely situation is that you are not pushing down on the strings with the correct amount of force or are pressing them in the wrong place. Make sure you place your finger as close to the fret as possible (nearer the bridge) and also with enough pressure. If your strings still buzz, then it could be due to incorrect setting of the guitar (truss rod, bridge, nut height, etc.) You may need to take it to Waltons Music or another music shop to have a specialist look at it.