SMI Group Guitar Class FAQ
I am taking the group class with a friend -
how can I make sure we don't get assigned to different classes?
SMI will make sure you are your friends are assigned to the
same class if the following conditions are met:
1. you and each of your friends provide identical 'availability' - you
each list the same days/times as being assignable.
2. you notify the instructor that you would like to be assigned together.
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I have been scheduled for Wednesdays at 6, but
it turns out that I can't make it. Can I move to Thursdays at 5?
You can only move to that day/time if there happens to be
a class that is at your level meeting then and the class is not full.
This is not too likely, so try to make sure of the times you have open
before you submit your availability.
Once you have committed to being available on certain days/times and
assignments have been made there will be no reassignment - you will
have to wait for the following month for reassignment and, if you are
already a paying student, you will be responsible for paying for any
month in which you were signed up. top
Why is the scheduling procedure so
complicated?
SMI is committed to providing at least a month of guitar instruction
to all beginning students. Due to overwhelming demand early in the year,
there is often a waiting list of people wanting to take lessons.
By using a dynamic schedule and assessing the availability of all potential
students on a regular basis, SMI is able to minimize time spent on waiting
lists and insure that the largest possible number of those desiring
guitar instruction receive it in a timely manner. We appreciate you
patience and flexibility. top
What will I learn in the SMI group guitar
class?
You will learn all the fundamentals necessary to play any
popular guitar style - rock, blues, alternative, metal, country, etc.
You will learn to recognize and play sounds you hear on CDs and to play
in a band and create your own parts that complement other instruments.
You will take significant steps toward the ultimate goal of any musician
- TO BE ABLE TO PLAY ANYTHING YOU CAN HEAR IN YOUR HEAD.
You will NOT be forced to learn a lot of music theory and music reading
(at least not initially), nor will you be asked to play songs that are
too heavy on the cheese factor. Most of the example songs used in the
class were radio hits, and many are still heard daily on pop, modern,
jazz, country and classic rock stations.
You will learn the fastest ways to develop excellent right and left
hand technique and to develop your ear so that you can easily recognize
chords and intervals, and you will enjoy learning in a relaxed environment
where you are free to move at your own pace. top
I'm going to be on vacation for two weeks
- can I just pay for half of the month?
Unfortunately, there are no pro-rates on the group guitar
classes. You can either take the entire month off or pick up the material
for the classes you missed and try to catch up.
Be aware that if you are in a class that only has a few people and you
take off for a month you may return to find the class has been canceled
and replaced by a beginner class. SMI requires a minimum number of students
in order to justify having a class at all. top
Do I have to read music in the class?
No. Music reading is minimized to great extent initially,
and then is only introduced when it is absolutely necessary to progress
to the next level. Student will be relying heavily on their ears early
on, and will find that they can easily play all kinds of songs without
any knowledge of music reading or theory. top
Can I take a month off from lessons?
You may certainly take one or more months off, but you may
want to be aware of the following issues:
If you are in a class that only has a few people and you take off for
a month, you may return to find the class has been canceled and replaced
by a beginner class. SMI requires a minimum number of students in order
to justify having a class at all, and your absence may put the class
under the threshold.
Each level but the first (beginner) is cyclical, lasting at least three
months. While each month is independent of the others at a given level,
it will be at least three months before the material that was covered
in the month that you missed will be covered again. Therefore, if you
want to take time off, the best time to do so is between levels, so
you won't ever have to mark time waiting for material you missed to
come around again. top
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