Chapola Productions
Services: Recording Music Lessons Computer Lessons Parties
For residents of the Capital District, NY, USA
Rates: $25 per 45 minute lesson, due at the time of the lesson. We accept checks and/or cash (no credit or debit cards).
We give lessons at our home music studio, or if you prefer we can have lessons at your home for an extra fee - 50¢ per mile. For example, if you live 5 miles away (10 mile round trip), we will charge $5 extra to have lessons at your house. If 2 or more students are taking lessons at the same house, the $5 fee would only be charged once.
Books: You can purchase all your Lesson Books directly from us. We have different books for different age groups. The cost to get you started will be: Adults-$26, Teenagers-$23, Children-$12.
Practice & Homework: We assign written homework with every lesson. We expect you to practice the songs and drills we assign, and to complete and turn in all written homework on time.
Technique: We will teach you to focus on proper technique from the very beginning. Playing with proper technique will shorten the time it takes to advance in ability.
Rhythm: Music, just like your heartbeat, just like the Universe, has a pulse! We use a metronome and/or all the resources available in today's technology to help you learn to play with perfect rhythm.
Parents: We expect you to be involved in the whole process including the lessons, practice, homework and "Music Parties" (we don't do Recitals). It is truly a team effort!
Productive & Fun: We make progress and have a good time while doing it!
You will only need 1 instrument to take lessons but it is preferable to have both.
 | Piano (88 keys) If you have a piano you will also need a metronome, a piano lamp (or desk lamp) and an ergonomic bench (ergonomic meaning - correct height). Also it is recommended that you have your piano tuned at least once a year (~$99). |
| Keyboard (76 or 88 keys) If you have a keyboard you will not need a metronome as most keyboards already have them built in. You will need a piano lamp (or desk lamp), an ergonomic bench and eventually a sustain pedal. If you want to connect your keyboard to your computer you will need a USB cable. Most importantly, you will need a good, solid, height adjustable table, preferably with enough room in the back for a piano lamp and enough room on the side for music books. For example, these table dimensions would be ideal. |
| 76 Key Keyboard | Keyboard Table | |
| - Width: 49" | - Width: 60" | |
| - Depth: 17" | - Depth: 30" | |
| - Height: 4" (front of keyboard) | - Height: 24" | |
| Search on: Adjustable Height Rectangular Table 30" x 60" |
Piano
Beginner songs like "Merrily We Roll Along" sound better on a keyboard than piano, thanks to all the special features like hundreds of different tones to choose from and especially the orchestral accompaniments (rhythm patterns). However it's important to note that playing with the rhythm patterns requires the same strict discipline as playing with the tick-tick-tick of a metronome, so the keyboard student will have as solid a foundation in rhythm, if not more, than the piano student. Since we'll still be using the same Lesson Books regardless of which instrument we're on, the keyboard students will be learning everything the piano student learns – and then some!* That’s why we’re calling it - Piano Lessons+
| Recording Station - you can record songs you play on multiple tracks and then later save them to a card and/or floppy disk. This feature enables you, amongst other things, to practice, for example, one side of a duet while the other side is playing (on a separate track). Another advantage - you can control the speed of the recording, giving it the same functionality as a metronome. |
| Headphones Jack - enables you to play your keyboard any time, even if others are watching TV, talking on the phone, sleeping, etc. You don't hear them and they don't hear you. |
| Tones - A piano has 1 tone: piano. A keyboard has hundreds of tones such as: Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Honky-Tonk Piano, Harpsichord, Glockenspiel, Music Box, Tubular Bells, Dulcimer, Organ, Electric Organ, Harmonica, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Harp, Strings, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Alto Sax, Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Koto, Pi Pa, Shanai, Bag Pipe, Fiddle, Tinkle Bell, Melodic Tom, Wood Block, many more. |
| Sound Effects - such as raindrops, crystal, goblins, echoes, new age, seashore, birds, helicopters, applause, many more. |
| Rhythm Patterns - such as Piano Rock, Pop Rock, Funky Pop, R&R, Heavy Metal, R&B, Soul Ballad, Big Band, Swing, Polka, March, Bossa Nova, Rhumba, Mambo, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, French Waltz, Ball Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Tango, Merengue, Reggae, Gospel, Blues, Bluegrass, Country, 50's Ballad, Hawaiian, Boogie-Woogie, Ragtime, Piano Ballad, Arpeggio, many more. |
| MIDI - (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) If you have a MIDI keyboard and a computer you can connect your keyboard to the Internet and make 21st Century technology part of your lesson and music education! |
| Acoustic Guitars are about the same price as Electric Guitars, however if you choose Electric you will also have to buy an amplifier and cords (unless it has an amplifier built in). |
| You will also need picks, a strap, and a music stand. |
| We will use the "Alfred's Basic Guitar Method" as the primary instruction book, including "Alfred's Basic Guitar Theory" which will be assigned as written homework. I will also teach some of my own drills to improve technique and finger strength. As you progress I will teach popular songs. If desired I will give you the opportunity to sing or play with other musicians. We will also spend some time learning to play by ear, and the art of improvisation. |
| Electric Guitars are easier to play in the beginning and you can plug them in. |
| I prefer that my beginner students start with Acoustic Guitars. They are harder to play, thus greater finger strength and technique are developed from the beginning. Plus, if you want to play both types, it's easier to switch from Acoustic to Electric than the other way around. |
| For those who would like help in selecting and/or learning a song prior to recording. |
If you would like to learn more, call 518-399-1540, or send an email to
©2010 Chapola Productions