Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before beginning your guitar journey
🎸 Getting Started
What age do you teach?
Level Up Guitar Academy welcomes children, teenagers, and adults. Lessons are personalized for each student's age, experience level, and learning style.
Do I need any previous guitar experience?
Not at all. Complete beginners are welcome, as are returning and experienced players looking to improve specific skills. Lessons are built around your current ability, goals, and musical interests, so we'll start wherever you are and build from there.
What happens during my first lesson?
Your first lesson gives us a chance to talk about your experience, musical interests, and goals, evaluate where you are as a player, and start playing guitar. We'll also discuss whether one of the structured 12-week Foundations courses or personalized lessons built around your specific goals is the best fit for you.
Do I need to own a guitar before starting?
Yes. Students should have their own guitar so they can practice between lessons. If you're unsure what type of guitar to purchase, I'll be happy to help you choose one that's appropriate for your goals and budget.
🎼The Level Up Method
What is the Level Up Method?
The Level Up Method is an optional, video-game-inspired approach to learning guitar. Students take on missions, earn Experience Points (XP), advance through levels, and work toward achievements as they develop their guitar skills.
The music and skills are real, the game-style experience simply gives students a fun and motivating way to see their progress and know what they're working toward next.
Who is the Level Up Method best for?
The Level Up Method was designed specifically for younger students who benefit from clear goals, frequent achievements, and a little extra motivation to practice. Instead of practice feeling like another homework assignment, students have missions to complete and milestones to work toward.
The program isn't required for younger students, and it isn't how every student at Level Up Guitar Academy learns. Students can also follow a traditional Foundations course or personalized lesson plan without the video-game-inspired elements.
What are the belt levels?
Belt levels are milestones within the Level Up Method that recognize a student's progress and give them longer-term goals to work toward. Students advance by developing and demonstrating specific guitar skills rather than simply attending a certain number of lessons.
Will I learn to play real songs?
Absolutely. Playing real music is an important part of learning guitar. Songs are incorporated alongside technique, rhythm, chords, fretboard skills, and other fundamentals so students can apply what they're learning to music they actually enjoy playing.
Will I learn music theory?
Yes, but in a practical way. Music theory is introduced through songs, exercises, and real playing so students understand how music works and, more importantly, how to use that knowledge on the guitar.
How do you track progress?
Students using the Level Up Method can track their progress through completed missions, Experience Points (XP), belt levels, and other achievements. These provide visible milestones along the way and give students something concrete to work toward as their playing develops.
🎵 Lessons & Scheduling
Are lessons available online?
Yes. Lessons are available both in person in Jersey City and live online through Zoom. Online students receive the same personalized one-on-one instruction as in-person students, including both Foundations courses and custom lessons.
How often are lessons?
Lessons are typically scheduled once a week. Consistent weekly instruction provides time to learn new material, practice between lessons, and make steady progress toward your goals.
Should I choose 30-minute or 45-minute lessons?
Thirty-minute lessons are a great fit for younger students, new guitarists, and students with focused weekly goals. Forty-five-minute lessons provide more time for detailed coaching and are often a better fit for teens and adults, intermediate or advanced players, and students working on multiple skills. If you're unsure, we'll help you choose the lesson length that best fits your goals and experience.
How much should I practice?
Consistency matters more than long practice sessions. You'll leave each lesson with clear practice goals based on what we're working on and your current level. We'll also discuss a realistic amount of practice time based on your age, experience, goals, and schedule.
🏡 Parents
Can parents observe lessons?
Parents are always welcome to observe younger children's lessons. We also provide regular communication so parents understand what their child is learning and how they can encourage practice at home.
What if we miss a lesson?
Life happens. If you need to miss a lesson, please provide as much notice as possible. We'll discuss available make-up options based on scheduling availability.
Do you teach different styles of music?
Yes. Students develop the core skills needed to become well-rounded guitarists while incorporating the music they're interested in playing. Lessons can include classic rock, pop, pop punk, heavy metal, country, acoustic music, and other styles depending on the student's interests and goals.
How can I help my child practice at home?
The most important thing is consistency and encouragement. Students will leave lessons knowing what to work on before the next session, and younger students may benefit from a parent's help establishing a regular practice routine. Practice doesn't need to be a battle or take hours—the goal is to make picking up the guitar a regular and enjoyable part of the week.