LESSONS IN MY STUDIO:

NEW tiered learning system! In my many years of teaching I have learned that not everybody comes to me with the same level of experience, or the same needs for their musical growth. This year I am experimenting with a new tiered learning system that is meant to encourage new learners by lowering their lesson rate. I am also defining the expectations both students and parents should have for any given year of learning, and for whatever level of experience they bring to the lessons from the get-go. For a further explanation of the four learning tiers offered, read below!

Worth noting is at any level song choices and lesson plans are customized to whatever a specific students wants or needs, regardless of level. That might mean more songs they want to learn than anything else, because I intentionally choose to chase down and learn the things that each student ENJOYS, and not to force them into a mold.

ALL LESSONS ARE WEEKLY LESSONS

LEVEL ONE:

for beginners who have never played before

In Year One you will learn:

  • the basic ergonomics of playing your instrument and how to customize it to your body

  • at least 5-10 songs, 50% your choices

  • the basics of reading and writing music

  • how to read rhythm notation

  • how rhythm applies to how you perform on your instrument

  • how to write cheat sheets for song structures

  • the basics of song structure notation (verse, chorus, etc)

  • learning tools for beginners

Lessons LEVEL ONE - $45/h

LEVEL TWO:

for novice students with some experience playing

In Year Two you will learn:

  • everything from year one that you don’t already know

  • at least 10-15 songs, 50% your choice

  • you will have the option of learning songs to perform with student bands in 3-6 months preparation

  • you will learn advanced methods of writing and reading musical and rhythmic notation

  • you will learn more extended ergonomic means of playing your instrument that will strengthen your performance

  • you will learn how songs are written, and the theory behind song structures and scales

  • further push your boundaries of experience by trying harder songs

  • potentially learn your first solo

  • learning tools to push you from a novice to a pro

Lessons LEVEL TWO = $50/H

LEVEL THREE:

for intermediate players who are looking to grow and expand on what they know

In year three you will learn:

  • everything from years one and two you don’t already know

  • at least 10-15 songs, 60% your choice

  • will be encouraged to test out their skills by learning what they need to know to play with a band

  • band preparation time is estimated to be 2-4 months for intermediate players, must learn 6-10 songs

  • you will learn how theory and musical notation and rhythm effect the dynamics of a song structure, and how to write and record your own songs

  • you will learn everything you need to know about how to memorize and create your own songs

  • you will learn how to write 1-3 original songs with a band

  • learn how theory and scales define your musical choices in any song

  • push your boundaries to the extreme and learn challenging solos, songs and song structures

  • potentially expand your skills by learning a secondary instrument of your choice

  • you will potentially be able to perform 1-3 songs live either solo or with a band

  • intermediate learning tools

Lessons LEVEL THREE = $55/H

LEVEL FOUR:

for experienced players looking for a challenge and to play with bands

In year four you will learn:

  • everything from levels one, two and three you don't already know. Even experienced players can have gaps in their knowledge!

  • at least 5-10 songs of your choice

  • at least 5-15 band songs for the band you are encouraged to join, expected learning time 2-4 months

  • how to be a part of a musical team

  • potentially expand your musical repertoire to two or three other instruments of your choice

  • how to write and record 1-3 songs with a band

  • you will learn how to memorize your part of a setlist, how to prepare for a live show, and how to perform for others

  • you will learn about advanced and expert theory in regards to scales and musical notation and rhythm, learning how to master your ability to sight read and to improvise live

  • you will learn advanced techniques and methods for recording, performing and mastering your instrument

  • you will perform live within a year of starting lessons

  • you will learn how to expedite the learning process and how to maximize your reward for time spent practicing

  • advanced learning methods that are specifically about you

  • tailored learning that works with and against your strengths to make you learn as fast as possible

Lessons LEVEL FOUR = $60/H

Band Lessons and Band program Details:

I currently run a band program that is different than all the other local Ottawa band programs in that I have higher expectations for the students who wish to join a band. I personally find it to be unfair of local (unnamed) music academies to expect EVERY student to immediately join a band, or to force them into bands where they rarely get to play. I would never expect a student to have to immediately join a band without preparation. I think it is a cash grab that these companies force upon parents and students and these customers don’t even realize they are being short-changed and put into precarious situations that actually HURT and SLOW DOWN a students growth.

That is not the MusicMan Dan way. If you want to play in a band, no matter the level of experience, there will be a period of time (2-6 months, depending on dedication) in which a new student will just be learning the songs for bands that are already running. Usually this will mean learning 6-10 songs before ever playing with the band you are learning the songs for. This may seem like a long time, but why would you want to rush yourself into a scenario where you weren’t prepared to enjoy the process of playing with a group? This time is meant to grow you as a musician and to prepare you for the challenges ahead. I don’t throw beginners together for the sake of throwing beginners together and charging customers in the meantime. I am not a babysitter. Only serious students join bands.

That said, there is nothing more exciting in the world than performing with a band and performing with that band live. I strongly encourage students to push themselves to do so because it gives them motivation, drive and goal setting that individual lessons will never equal to. When you join a band you will always have a goal in mind and new songs and things to learn, week after week, because you are part of a team.

Another key point is that band members choose and write the songs they perform more than they would in any individual lessons. Unlike other unnamed academies, the students will not have to learn whatever the academy is teaching that year musically, which often means they learn songs they don’t enjoy or songs they don’t know, for the benefit of the academy and those in the potential audience. This is a detrimental process for a band and for a student because they don’t end up doing what they ENJOY. This cannot be understated. Many times I have had students come to me saying they only know what they were taught, and that they don’t know if they’ll ever have a chance to learn or perform songs they actually enjoy. The bands I run choose 90% of their own songs, one student at a time in the band. Voice and input are ENCOURAGED AND FOSTERED. The 10% of other songs are chosen by me because I know what songs the bands would really excel in doing.

Band rate: $30/H

FURTHER NOTE: when joining a band program you are still expected to do individual lessons.


METHODS OF PAYMENT AND BOOKING

Lessons after the first few lessons will be charged for that current month one month at a time. That way, a student can book a time slot for themselves for several dates at a time and I will reserve that spot just for them. 
I accept cash, cheques and e-transfers. No taxes are applied. 

ABSENCES POLICY

Students will be given one lesson a month (or a couple, within reason during extenuating circumstances) in which they can request a rescheduling of their appointment. Ideally, all lessons should be rescheduled if possible before the week has passed. However, if a student and MusicMan Dan are unable to find a suitable date for a make-up that week, then the lesson will still be offered with no questions asked at the earliest possible convenience. 

24 hours notice on any absences is required or I will be forced to charge for the lesson. If you get sick or have a valid reason for missing the lesson, I will, of course, be somewhat lenient. However, if you have missed more than one lesson in that month already, you will be charged for the missed lesson unless we can schedule a make-up during the week (tues-sunday) that the lesson was missed.