• How do I book a lesson?
• How do I cancel a lesson?
• What should I do if I am running late?
• How do I pay for my lessons?
• Do you offer multi-lesson discounts?
• Do you offer group lessons?
• How long will my lesson last?
• What instruments and equipment are available in your studio? • How do I contact the studio?
• Do you teach online?
• Do you offer music events or performance opportunities?
• What is the lesson format?
• Should I bring sheet music?
• Can I record my lessons?
• How much do I need to practice?
• How much should I spend on an instrument?
• What kind of instrument / equipment will I need?
How do I book a lesson?
You’ll receive an e-mail with a personal login details for the online portal, My Music Staff. Ad-hoc lessons can be booked directly through the studio calendar:
- Select the calendar icon from the menu on the left hand side of the screen (second button from the top).
- Available lesson times are marked on the calendar as ‘Open Slot’. You can book a time that suits you, by clicking on your preferred slot and selecting ‘Register’.
- Your booking must be made a minimum of 6 hours before the lesson start time. If you select an open slot that is less than 6 hours away, you will be informed that registration has closed.
- Confirm the date that you would like to attend and select ‘Register’ again. Your name should now appear on the calendar in the reserved slot.
- You can pay for your lesson(s) at the time of booking, or by no later than the lesson start time. If you have selected a regular open slot, you may be offered the opportunity to book multiple dates. However, if you would like to reserve a regular slot or to pay for multiple lessons up front, please contact info@ripleysounds.co.uk, as we offer discounts for monthly payments and block bookings. How do I cancel a lesson? Lessons can also be cancelled through the portal, up until one hour before the scheduled start time:
- On the studio calendar in My Music Staff, select the lesson that you wish to cancel.
- Select ‘Cancel Attendance’. You will be asked to confirm cancellation and given the opportunity to leave a brief note explaining why you cannot attend.
- Click ‘Yes’ to complete the cancellation. The booking will still appear on the calendar, but a red cross beside your name will indicate that the lesson has been cancelled.
If you have already paid for your lesson, you will be issued with a Make Up Credit, so that you can reschedule at no extra charge. Full details of the cancellation policy can be found in the Ripley Sounds Studio Policy.
What should I do if I am running late?
If you are running late for a lesson, please contact Cal directly by SMS. Cal will wait for you, and proceed with the lesson when you arrive. Be aware that your lesson time may be reduced, as any extra time outside of your scheduled slot is offered at Cal’s discretion, and may not be possible due to other students and commitments.
If you are not going to make it at all, and need to cancel your lesson less than an hour before the start time, you should also contact Cal directly. Last minute cancellations are not possible through the portal and are subject to a cancellation fee, as set out in the Ripley Sounds Studio Policy.
How do I pay for my lessons?
If you are having lessons weekly or fortnightly, your best option is to set up a monthly payment by bank transfer, using the details provided in your welcome e-mail. This allows you to reserve a regular slot and receive the discounted pay-monthly rate. If you decide to use monthly payment, we will have a discussion to determine which slot you would like to book and your lesson frequency. You will receive an invoice around the 20th of each month, detailing the lessons that you have booked the following month, with instructions for how to pay. Payment is due by no later than the first day of the month, for that month’s lessons.
Ad-hoc lessons can also be paid by bank transfer, at the time of booking, or any time prior to the start of your lesson. If you are attending the studio in person, and have not yet paid for the lesson, we also accept contactless payments via Debit or Credit Card. We are unable to proceed with a lesson until it has been paid for.
Do you offer multi-lesson discounts?
Yes. If you wish to book a regular lesson at the same time each week or fortnight, we offer a reduced rate when you pay monthly by Standing Order. Alternatively, we also offer a discounted rate for block bookings. For full details of current rates and discounts, please see the Ripley Sounds Studio Price Guide.
Do you offer group lessons?
In order to give you a personalised experience, tailored to your needs and goals, all 30 and 45 minute lessons are offered on a one-to-one basis. However, we can offer group lessons in the 60 minute category, if you are rehearsing for a group performance or collaborating on a songwriting session. We also host free, regular jam sessions, giving students the opportunity to play together.
How long will my lesson last?
Duration and frequency of lessons will be determined by mutual agreement on or before your first lesson. We will review these as you progress and adapt them as necessary to support your ongoing development. As a guideline, we recommend the following:
30 Minute Lessons:
Level: Children, Beginners, Casual Focus: Building a solid foundation
45 Minute Lessons:
Level: Intermediates, Advanced, Professionals Focus: Balancing & exploring
60+ Minute Lessons:
Level: Intermediates, Advanced, Professionals (Packages)
60 minute lessons are only available as part of a pre-booked package, for audition & show preparations or songwriting & artist development
What instruments and equipment are available in your studio?
The following resources are available at the studio, for use within lessons:
• Acoustic, electric & bass guitars
• Piano
• Electronic drum kit
• Music recording & performance equipment and software • Paper SOVT vocal straws
How do I contact the studio?
Since Cal can’t pick up messages while he’s teaching, the best way to contact us is via info@ripleysounds.co.uk – this is our main mailbox, and Ash will either respond directly, or pass your message on. If you need to contact Cal personally, for example, with a musical query, you can contact him on students@ripleysounds.co.uk, and he will get back to you when he can. If your message is urgent, (for example, if you are running late for a lesson), please use SMS.
Do you teach online?
Yes, via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime.
Do you offer music events or performance opportunities?
This has not been possible during the the pandemic, but it is something that we hope to introduce in the future, when it is safe to do so. You will be notified of any opportunities as they arise.
What is the lesson format?
A typical lesson is structured as follows:
• Chat/Catch-Up
• Warm-Up
• Instrument Specific Exercises • Material/Songs
• Cool Down & Questions
• Summation
As you become familiar with the warm-up techniques, you are encouraged to warm up before the lesson, so that more lesson time can be spent on your chosen material.
Should I bring sheet music?
You are welcome to bring sheet music, lead sheets, chord charts or lyrics if you have them, but it is not essential. If you are looking to purchase high quality sheet music, we recommend using the Music Notes website: www.musicnotes.com
If you prefer, Cal can help you search for sheet music, and ensure that it is in the correct key for you.
Can I record my lessons?
If you wish to record entire lessons using your own device, we are happy for you to do so. However, you may find it arduous to listen back through hours of audio. Instead, Cal recommends that you record specific sections of your lesson periodically, with a purpose. This way, you can discuss what would be most beneficial to listen back to, and if you wish, use the studio recording equipment, for better sound quality.
How much do I need to practice?
When it comes to embedding a solid, sustainable practice habit, you should focus on consistency rather than quantity. Of course practice is important, but if you task yourself with practicing for several hours each day, you are likely to experience practice fatigue, which is often what causes people to give up!
It is important to set yourself realistic targets and commit to them. Start with a 2 minute micro- habit that you can easily slip into your routine 3-4 days a week. Choose one section to work on, and once you have successfully played it 3 times, move on. Of course, you may want to practice for longer, and that’s absolutely fine, but this should be through the desire to play or sing, rather than an obligation. Remember, it is better to start small and gradually build up the duration and frequency of your practice, than to start huge and burn yourself out.
How much should I spend on an instrument?
For a beginner’s first instrument, a price range of £80 – £120 is an ideal starting point.
What kind of instrument / equipment will I need?
Cal is happy to offer support with choosing the right instrument for you. Here are some general guidelines:
Guitar
For an acoustic, electric or bass guitar, the instrument should feel comfortable in the hands of the student, both in terms of the total weight and the pressure required to press down the strings on the fretboard, at the first fret. An electronic tuner and plectrums are also required.
Piano/Keyboard
If playing an acoustic piano, please ensure that it’s less than 50 years old and is regularly tuned. If using a digital piano, it will require a solid wooden stand (not a cross brace), three pedals, adjustable padded bench and a fully weighted action.
Singers
For singers a decent Microphone is essential to capture the quality of your voice. Industry standards such as the SHURE SM57, SM58 are brilliant for the committed vocalist. The SHURE PG58 is an excellent dynamic microphone for the beginner singer.