Supplies


WGA binder w/ labeled index dividers & clear sheet protectors  Students must purchase a Wisconsin Guitar Academy binder from me: $10.  It comes pre made and ready to hold your lesson materials...not a bad deal.  You will never need to purchase another guitar book at the WGA.



Guitar picks  Don't show up for class without a pick.  The Music Cafe stocks them at the front desk.  I recommend the smaller Dunlop Jazz Tortex picks below.  Perfect for small hands and accurate picking.  If the Music Cafe is out of them I have jazz picks available in class: 3 for $1.




Tuner  Don't show up for class without one. Be sure to get a "chromatic" tuner and not one labeled "guitar" tuner (they are dumbed-down and can cause more trouble than they're worth).  The clip-on "SNARK" tuner is the coolest thing since sliced bread and the Music Cafe has them in stock for $20.



Guitar  Start with an electric rather than an acoustic guitar.  Electrics are much easier to play due to their lighter string gauge, slimmer necks, lower string action, and greater sustain.  It's very important that students start on an instrument that is easy to play and won't cause them to become frustrated and give up. 

Don't assume it's best to learn on an acoustic guitar because it will be "that much easier when you switch to electric".  That's like saying, "You should learn to swim while wearing ankle weights because it will be that much easier when you take them off."  In the meantime you will have given up and drowned...or quit playing guitar.



Small students may need a 3/4-size guitar  Again, the goal is to avoid frustration and not make anything harder than it needs to be.  Fortunately the Wisconsin Guitar Academy is located inside the Music Cafe retail store.  If it's not in the showroom they can order it for you.

 

Music stand  Sitting on the edge of a bed with your music lying next you is no way to practice, especially when a simple folding music stand can be had for as little as $15.