Somers Guitar (in Atlantic, Carroll & Red Oak, Iowa) is Southwest Iowa's leading, professional guitar school. We offers private, class, intensive and Skype online webcam guitar lessons. Learn acoustic, electric, bass, classical guitar or banjo. We teach many styles for musicians of all ages (8 years old to seniors). Private lessons for students ages 8 to 11 are taught by professionally trained student instructors. Private lessons, classes and Skype lessons for ages 12 to adult are taught by adult instructors. For more info - see the "Tuition" & "Schedule" section below or the Guitars & Supplies page for a list of what you need for lessons. Avoid the waiting list. Call (712) 250-4398 to register.

$10 REGISTRATION FEE + FIRST MONTH TUITION - The registration fee is non-refundable and accompanies the (1) registration form, (2) first month's tuition for the fall (Sep - Dec), winter (Jan - May), or summer (June - Aug) term. Choose monthly or term tuition payment. Current students are given first opportunity to pre-register to retain their lesson time or acquire a different spot. After pre-registration the remaining spots are made open to the public.
PAYMENT METHODS - We are transitioning to a recurring monthly auto-pay system in September 2010. Monthly tuition is paid by the 1st of every month via a secure automated system. View your account activity using the Somers Guitar website parent portal or by checking online through the account you use to pay (checking, debit, Visa, Master Card or Discover. Payment for the entire term is required for those who pay by cash or paper check made out to Somers Guitar.

Tuition

Tuition is due by the 1st of the month and paid via our recurring monthly auto-pay system. Tuition is a flat rate and reserves a specific lesson day, time and instructor for the calendar month. Generally you meet weekly, four times a month but occasionally a holiday or bad weather cause there to be fewer lessons. There is no pro-rate, make-up, reschedule, credit, or refund given when the student is absent, or for no lesson due to a holiday or weather cancellation. Refer to the "2010 Calendar" below to see when there are no lessons due to a holiday week. Here are the tuition rates:

CLASSES (ages 12 to adult) - $35 per month, meet weekly for 25 minutes. Start the first week of February, June, and September. There is a one-to-four student-to-adult teacher ratio. A general method approach with three levels is used. Students advance to private lessons after level 3.
PRIVATE (ages 8 to 11) - $60 per month, student teacher, meets weekly for 25 minutes. Student teachers are excellent students ages 14 to 18 that show strong music, communication, teaching and people skills. They are mentored weekly by an adult instructor for a career in music. Start at any time.
PRIVATE (ages 12 to adult) - $70 per month, adult teacher, meet weekly for 25 minutes. Start any time.
Skype ONLINE WEBCAM GUITAR LESSONS (ages 12 to adult) - $70 per month (meet weekly for 25 minutes, four times a month) or $35 per 50-minute session (as needed). Start at any time. The Guitars & Supplies page lists what you need for Skype lessons. It also provides links to download the free software and to purchase webcams.
INTENSIVE (ages 12 to adult) - $35 per 50-minute session (as needed), great for those traveling long distances, advanced players & adults.
LATE FEE - $10.00 is charged when tuition is late. Tuition is considered late (for any reason) when it is not received by the end of the business day on the first of the month. Lessons continue upon full payment. When you accidently forget your checkbook or cash at lesson, your instructor can direct you to the closest ATM machine to avoid paying the late fee.
RETURNED CHECKS - If a check is returned for insufficient funds Somers Guitar will ask you to cover the bank charge. Lessons resume after payment is received.

Discounts

SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT (private lessons only) - $60 per month for seniors at least 60 years old.

Attendance

STUDENT ABSENCE - Three absences in a month is cause for discontinuing lessons.
TEACHER ABSENCE - a credit is given if the teacher is absent due to sickness or schedule conflicts.
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS - call Somers Guitar at 712-250-4398 and listen to the message to hear if there are weather cancellations. Cancellations are also announced as soon as determined via radio. There are no credits or make-ups for weather related cancellations.
30-DAY HOLD ON A LESSON TIME - we will gladly hold your spot for 30 days when you need time off for vacation, camps, work schedules, to get ahead financially, etc. We will open up the spot to another student after 30 days.
HEALTH CONCERNS - please inform your instructor in writing about health concerns affecting your child and others. Students should stay home if they missed or will miss school due to (1) illness, (2) lice, or other communicable disease concerns.

Schedule

There are four, 25-minute sessions a month on the same day & time, year round, which includes the optional low pressure, annual student rehearsal and concert. There are 3 sessions in December. When timeslots are full ask to be put on the waiting list.

CARROLL at The Carroll Community Black Box Theatre on Tuesday

Class (ages 12 to adult), start Tues, Sept. 7th, 5 & 6 pm (Beg 1), 6:30 pm (Beg 2), 7 pm (Int 1), 7:30 pm (Int 2), 8 pm (Adv)
Private Lessons, Student Teacher (ages 8 to 11), Tuesday, 4 - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
Private Lessons, Adult Teacher (ages 12 to adult), Tuesday, 9 am - 4 pm, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

ATLANTIC at Somers Guitar on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

Class (for ages 12 to adult), start Mon, Sept. 13th, 6:30 (Beg 1), 7 pm (Beg 2), 7:30 pm (Int 1), 8 pm (Int 2), 8:30 pm (Adv)
Private Lessons, Student Teacher (ages 8 to 11), Wednesday & Thursday, 4 - 8 pm
Private Lessons, Adult Teacher (ages 12 to adult), Monday & Wednesday, 9 am - 9 pm

RED OAK at the Wilson Arts Center on Tuesday & Thursday

Class (for ages 12 to adult), starts Thurs, Sept. 9th, 6 pm (Beginner 1)
Private Lessons, Student Teacher (ages 8 to 11), Tuesday 4 - 5:30 PM, Thursday 4 - 8 pm
Private Lessons, Adult Teacher (ages 12 to adult), Thursday, 1 - 9 pm

SKYPE on Monday through Saturday

Online Webcam Guitar Lessons (ages 12 to adult), start at any time
Monday & Wednesday 9 am - 9 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 1 - 9 pm
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Goals

Beginners develop basics - reading music, tab, tuning, correct technique, playing chords, scales, & performance
Intermediates improve - technique, chord & scale theory, fretboard knowledge, ear training & performance
Advanced players master - improvisation, ear training, composition, arranging and performance
Copyrighted music - students purchase and work from only legal, copyrighted, print and audio music

Practice

Progress depends on practice time. Setup a practice routine, 30 to 60 minutes, at least 5 times a week.
Dedicate a practice area with good lighting, music stand, books, footstool or strap, tuner, picks & pencils.
Children often need reminders and adult help with practice. Use a timer to know how long to practice.
Failing to practice three weeks in a month is cause for discontinuing lessons.

Concerts

There is an optional low pressure annual student concert held in April for each location. Our Red Oak location has an additional concert in November every year.

RED OAK & ATLANTIC - Thurs, Nov. 18th & April 28th, 2011, Wilson Arts Center. Students arrive 5:30 PM. Concert 7 PM.
CARROLL - Tuesday, April 26th, 2011, Carroll Community Black Box Theatre. Students arrive 6:30 PM. Program at 7 PM.

2010 Calendar

NO LESSON DAYS: Jan. 1- 3 (New Year), March 29 - 31 & Apr. 2 (Spring Break), May 29 - 31 (Memorial Day), June 15 - 16, July 2 - July 4 (Independence Day), July 15, Aug. 29 - Sep. 6 (Labor Day), Oct. 29 - 31(Halloween), Nov. 21 - 27 (Thanksgiving) & Dec. 22 - Jan. 3 (Christmas & New Year)