FAQ

Here are several frequently asked questions. If you have more questions, please contact me.

FAQ 1: Where are you located?

FAQ 2: How much $$$?

FAQ 3: Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

FAQ 4: What happens if I can’t attend a lesson?

FAQ 5: (Parents) Do I need to be at the lessons? / Can I be at the lessons?

FAQ 6: Are recitals mandatory?

FAQ 7: How long should I practice?

FAQ 8: Do lessons continue in the summer? / Can I take the summer off?

FAQ 9: Do I need an instrument? What kind?

FAQ 10: What else should I know?

Requirements for Online Lessons.

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    FAQ 1: Where are you located?

    star map sms

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    FAQ 2: How much $$$?

    • Music lessons are an investment with benefits that go beyond learning music.
    • Tuition covers individual weekly lessons, lesson books, time-slot reservation, and access to the studio music lending library. (Full-time tuition ALSO includes bonus lesson time per quarter because I know life happens.) There are no separate fees for enrolling, events, or books.
    • Teens and adults can schedule “a la carte” individual lessons as needed if there are open times available with the online scheduler.
    • View the Calendar/Tuition page for more info about lesson prices.

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    FAQ 3: Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

    • A discount is available for full-time students who pay quarterly.
    • Individual lessons create curriculum tailored to the student; the quality of my work doesn’t diminish when I teach a second child. Therefore, I don’t offer a sibling discount.
    • It is my wish that music lessons be affordable; at Sanisi Music Studio you can apply for a reduced-tuition scholarship.
    • I also participate with The Music Link Foundation which facilitates lessons for children from low-income families; teachers are not compensated by the foundation, but have signed up to reduce their fee by 50%.

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    FAQ 4: What happens if I can’t attend a lesson?

    • DO NOT attend a lesson if you are ill; getting healthy should be the number one priority.
    • Online lessons are an option for mild illness, snow days, etc. (Requirements for Online Lessons.)
    • Occasional absences are expected and factored into tuition. Tuition is based on enrollment, not attendance. No refunds or deductions are given if a student misses a lesson.
    • A YOYO assignment can be requested prior to the start of lesson time. (YOYO = “You’re On Your Own.” A great way to assess the student’s skills at reading/analyzing/interpreting new music.) Asynchronous feedback can also be given if a video is provided prior to the scheduled lesson time.
    • Need a different lesson time? Request a new lesson time here: New Lesson Time Form

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    FAQ 5: (Parents) Do I need to be at the lessons? / Can I be at the lessons?

    • Students aged 8 and older may be dropped off, if they are comfortable doing so.
    • Parents will attend lessons for 7 and younger; the parent will need to play an integral part in practicing at home. In some circumstances, you may need to wait in a separate room, so the child doesn’t get anxious about trying to please two adults.

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    FAQ 6: Are recitals mandatory?

    • No. Recitals are optional, but highly recommended.
    • Even if a student is not comfortable performing, I recommend attending as part of the audience.
    • We will have peer performance opportunities occasionally which might be a good stepping stone.

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    FAQ 7: How long should I practice?

    • This is a great question, but “how effectively you practice is more important than the length of time. Quality is better than quantity. It is more effective to play a song/piece a few times everyday rather than 100 times on one day.
    • Finding a time in the daily routine is the goal. Any age beginner should set aside 15-20 minutes each day.
    • A student should practice long enough to make improvements to the week’s songs/pieces. It should get easier each day through the week.
    • Learning how to practice is a fundamental part of lessons.

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    FAQ 8: Do lessons continue in the summer? / Can I take the summer off?

    • Lessons continue through the majority of the summer. It is highly recommended to attend regularly for continual growth (and avoiding regression). Plus summer is a great time to play for fun and make the most of vacation time.
    • There will be no lessons during the last 2 weeks of summer (when classes resume in Fargo Public Schools). See Calendar for exact dates.
    • Fees are set in consideration and expectation of missed lessons due to vacations, camps, visiting family, etc.
    • If you decide to take the entire summer off, you will have to re-register for a lesson time. No guarantees a time will still be available.

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    FAQ 9: Do I need an instrument ? What kind?

    YES!!!

    FOR PIANO: Yes, an instrument at home is required for practice between piano lessons. All keyboard instruments have a “shelf-life.” Antique pianos or decade-old keyboards are generally not a good investment.

    1. A well-maintained acoustic piano is the top choice.
    2. A digital piano with weighted keys is a very close second and some are superior to pianos which have seen better days.
    3. An electric keyboard should be a temporary learning tool; it will inhibit the student’s technique and musical aural development. Keyboards are a different instrument that requires different techniques than piano or digital piano; this can make learning to play harder (and less fun).
    4. TOYS OR APPS: Definitely not an option. Instrument must have full-sized keys. 88 weighted keys is best; fewer keys or touch-sensitive would be a temporary instrument.

    FOR HARP:

    • Yes, a harp is required for practice between harp lessons/classes; a tuner and music stand is also a requirement.
    • Sanisi Music Studio has a few harps available to rent.
    • There are a variety of sizes and styles of harp: Pedal harps, Lever harps, Folk harps, Travel harps, double-strung harps, chromatic harps, etc. What you choose is dependent on what type of music you wish to play and your budget. More strings + more moving parts = more expensive & more repertoire options.

    FOR UKULELE:

    • Yes, an ukulele is required for practice between ukulele lessons/classes; a tuner is also a requirement.
    • If you do not already own one, I recommend visiting one of our local music stores and trying different kinds; get someone to help you as not all on display will be in tune.
    • The ukulele comes in different sizes. Soprano is the traditional size and the most common; it is the ideal size for the majority of beginners. Adults might feel more comfortable playing a concert or tenor ukulele, but this is simply a personal preference.(Adults can learn any size.)
    • I do not currently teach unconventional or hybrid ukuleles: harp ukulele, banjo ukulele (banjolele), guitar ukulele (guitalele), lap-steel ukulele, baritone ukulele, bass ukulele, or Tahitian ukulele.

    FOR Accordion:

    • Minimum of 12 bass buttons
    • A music stand (or table book holder).
    • Shoulder straps are usually necessary for most sizes.
    • A case or dust cover is highly recommended.

    FOR Kalimba:

    • Minimum of 19 tines.
    • A music stand (or table book holder).
    • A clip-on tuner (or app).
    • A tuning hammer.

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    FAQ 10: What else should I know?

    • Making music is fun… after it becomes easy. It becomes easy after it becomes known and familiar!
    • Progress is determined by the amount and quality of practice between lessons. (How-to-practice is continually taught during lessons.)
    • Please enter the music room (or Zoom meeting room) a few minutes prior to your scheduled lesson time, but not more than 5 minutes beforehand.
    • Nails will need to be kept short.
    • Callouses are created and maintained when playing stringed instruments; they are not usually visible, but make playing easier after they develop.
    • Instruments should be tuned regularly. Ukuleles daily, harps weekly, kalimbas as needed, and pianos annually.
    • Stopping lessons someday is a part of the process. My goal is to make independent musicians. 2 weeks notice is appreciated by the teacher AND the student.
    • My policy is that masks are voluntary for in-person lessons; I let the student/family decide. If requested, I am happy to wear a mask.

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Requirements for online lessons:

  • A device with a camera connected to the internet (smart phone, tablet, laptop)
  • Something to prop up the device so the teacher can see hands/shoulders
  • 1 or 2 Dice if you have some handy
  • Pencil
  • Instrument (If you play ukulele or harp, please tune it beforehand.)
  • Younger students will require a parent’s help.