Fees for private guitar lessons at participating independent schools are paid (by cheque) per term in advance, with the exception of term 1, which is split into two half-terms invoiced separately. New students who happen to start lessons somewhere in the middle of any term would only pay for the remaining weeks of that term.
Since lessons are arranged using a monthly timetable it is not practical to arrange a one-off 'taster' lesson. The student should be prepared to commit to a term. If a parent has any uncertainty about the student's level of commitment then the first half-term would be the ideal starting place since the first half-term is very short. However, students can begin guitar lessons at anytime throughout the school year.
The youngest students are normally in P5 (the guitar is quite a difficult instrument), however, parents of students who are in P4 may still apply for lessons for their child but the outcome of the application may depend on an assessment of the child and you may be advised to wait a year or so before applying again.
Cessation of lessons would require two weeks written notice. A refund of the fees for the remaining weeks of that term would be issued up to a maximum of 50%.
The fees for each term reflect the weekly rate for lessons. From 16th August 2010 the fees will be calculated per term at the rate of £16.70 times the number of weeks in the term or half-term in the case of term 1.
Fees should not be considered as simply the sum of a number of lessons, but as the cost of retaining the tutor’s time. Some terms are short and some are long, please plan ahead for your budget.
Weeks involving an end of term ceremony or an official school trip would not be invoiced (subject to advance notification of one term) as no lesson would be scheduled in those weeks.
Fee payers complete a simple and fair registration/agreement form issued by Dr Mann. The school may also issue you with their own separate agreement.
SCHOOL MUSIC - Assistance with practical work.
Only relevant for those on a course of study.
The guitar is a ‘stand alone’ instrument and no accompanist is required. Classical Guitar preferred.
Pieces from the Trinity Guildhall syllabuses, finger-style (classical) or plectrum-style (acoustic or electric), may be employed for the practical component in school (SQA) music exams such as Standard Grade, Higher and Advanced Higher, whether as a choice of first or second instrument.
Dr. Mann holds a Licentiate (teacher’s) diploma from Trinity College of Music London; he has known the guitar for forty years and performed and taught the instrument on a professional basis for many years. Hence, he would ask you to accept that the quality of the tuition given is of a very high calibre & the content is authoritative, trustworthy, and hence, mainly non-negotiable.
External exams are not compulsory. However, for those students wishing to sit external grade examinations, ‘Trinity Guildhall’ syllabuses would be my preferred choice. You would be responsible for payment of any exam fees prior to an exam application and for the student’s transportation to and from an exam centre in Aberdeen or the surrounding area.
Any type of guitar could be used in lessons. However, Classical guitars are more practical for beginners for several reasons. If you are considering acquiring your first guitar there are some pointers on the page 'ergonomics for beginners' (see menu).
Lessons at participating independent schools (subject to availability) are on a one-to-one basis using a monthly rota timetable.
However, a fixed appointment at 1:10 pm on certain days may be available on a first-come-first-served basis but only to students in UIV, UV or UVI who are studying for other SQA exams.
Regular students - please check the Notice Board.
Normally, the youngest students eligible for guitar lessons will be in the class of primary 5. However, exceptional younger candidates in P4 may be considered for lessons but may be subject to an assessment. No P3s. There is no upper age limit.
Weekly lessons at school are normally of 35 minutes duration plus 5 minutes free changeover time (to unpack/pack tune-up), giving a 40-minute visit.
The scope of tuition may encompass everything to do with guitars and all guitar music. The extent is limited only by the student’s knowledge and/or ability at a given time. Whilst elementary ‘chord-strumming’ is included in lessons, the guitar will be taught as a musical instrument. I would recommend a suitable tutor book for you to purchase and supply a free copy of my own book (a work in progress for future publication).
Pieces and scales from Trinity Guildhall syllabuses may be incorporated for general tuition & to afford the student the opportunity to be able to sit an exam at a later stage if the student wished. You would be required to purchase any books needed.
To request guitar lessons at your child's independent school in the local area of Aberdeen (Scotland), please write to the head of music at your child's school in the first instance to find out if this is possible. Please quote this website address (MannofieldMusic.com) to the school for their information.
If you received the address of this website from the Head of Music at your child's school due to an enquiry you have made regarding guitar tuition, then please contact Dr Mann by Email: info@mannofieldmusic.com explaining the situation and leaving your contact details. It would be useful if you could please include your land-line telephone number.
Dr Mann will then get in touch with you by telephone or Email to let you know if it is possible to arrange lessons. If so, a registration form would then be posted to your home address or mailed via your child's independent school. Registration forms are not sent by email.
Dr Mann would not request payment from an independent school for providing his services on school premises for the convenience of students and parents. In return for providing his services free of charge to the school, he should not be expected to pay room-hire or any other charges, for example, commissions.
The 'triangular agreement' between Dr Mann, the school, and the parents should benefit all three parties (and, of course, the students).
Dr Mann's status would be that of an autonomously self-employed visiting instructor.
The school would arrange the enhanced disclosure Scotland process (registered) and provide suitable accommodation at agreed times where guitar tuition could be delivered. Dr Mann would arrange his own monthly timetables and communicate directly with the parents.
The school would not be involved with any other arrangements, for example, invoicing. However, copies of all paperwork used (e.g. Registration form, invoices, and so on) may be requested by the school for their information and/or approval.
A professional approach is assured at all times.
Dr Mann would be happy to discuss these matters in person with the appropriate spokesperson for the school at a mutually convenient time.
Please email your request by clicking on the button 'Contact Bill Mann' on the navigator menu above.
Copyright (c) 2009, 2010 by Dr Bill Mann, Scotland
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Guitar lessons may be available purely as an extra-curricular interest/hobby.
However, lessons can include material that allows the students the opportunity to try for a qualification at a later stage if they wished to do so - see 'MUSIC GRADES'.