Below are some of the more commonly asked questions from people interested in learning the guitar. If you have a question that is not addressed on this page, please feel free to e-me at kevinmac@iol.ie

How do I go about enrolling on the course?
Securing your place on the course is a simple three-step process - pick a time and venue that suit you best, contact Kevin to check availability, then arrange payment – either in advance, or at the first class. For the details, click here

How long does it take to learn to play?
The Guitar Made Easy method guarantees that if you follow the method, you will be able to play 6 songs in six weeks. After that, your progress depends mainly on how much time and effort you devote to practice. The classes are structured in such a way that by the end of the 10 week course you will be able to continue on by teaching yourself.

Do I need to have prior musical knowledge before learning the guitar?
No. You do need to be able to count to four, and say the alphabet as far as G, but anything else you need to know will be taught on the course.

Am I too old at 55?
No. If you love music, are interested in playing, and have half an hour a day to devote to practice, then you can learn to play the guitar at any age. Retired persons often have an advantage over others when they have more free time on their hands.

What kind of guitar is best for a beginner?
A steel string acoustic guitar is suitable for most beginners, and for most styles of music. Quality makes include Fender, Peavey, Yamaha, Epiphone, Aria etc For more details click here

How much will a guitar cost me?
A good beginner's guitar will cost in the region of €100 to €150 euro and upwards. Remember to factor in the price of a guitar case and strap.

My son says he wants an electric - should I buy one?
As a general rule, it makes sense to begin learning on an acoustic guitar and then, at a later date, progress to an electric, but if he insists he needs an electric (to play Metallica, Nirvana, Pumpkins etc) then go ahead - he'll still want an acoustic in time to come!

I don't sing - is that a problem?
It's not a problem, it's a disadvantage. In the early stages of learning the guitar, it helps hugely if you sing along with the song you're learning. If you've never sung before, or are shy or embarrassed to sing, you can learn how to sing very easily. Singing is such a major part of learning to play that it is covered in-depth early on, and remember - anyone can sing.

I'm left-handed - should I change the strings around?
Definitely not. Playing the guitar requires both hands, and neither hand has the easier task. If you change the string around on your guitar so as to play left-handed, there are no advantages, and a large number of disadvantages - for an in-depth look at the left-hander question, click here.

Apart from a guitar, what else do I need?
A guitar case, a strap, plectrums, capo, pitch-pipes and half an hour daily for practice.

Do I need to be able to read music?
No. Early on, you work by reading chord symbols and tablature. If you learn to read music at a later stage, it will help to broaden your musical understanding a great deal, but it's not essential in the early stages of guitar.

My friend gave up guitar because it hurt his fingers - will it hurt mine?
Yes, but only a little bit and only for a short while. Fingertips can be sore for the first week or two, but with plenty of practice, the soreness will soon disappear completely. In the past people used to buy nylon string guitars because they don't hurt the fingers as much, but these guitars are only suitable for playing classical music - any other type of music nearly always requires steel strings.

How long will it be before I've learned everything?
Learning to play a musical instrument is a life long journey. At Guitar Made Easy, you are merely being put on the right platform

Can I bring a CD or tape of my favourite song to learn?
Yes, in fact this is central to learning how to teach yourself the guitar - once you become adept at working out the chords of somgs yourself, you are getting very close to the day when you no longer require classes.

Do I need to buy a guitar tuner?
No. A guitar tuner is merely an aid to tuning the guitar - it won't tune the guitar for you, you'll have to learn that skill yourself, but once you've learned how to tune, a tuner can be a useful device.

What is the youngest age for beginners?
As a general rule, 10 years of age is the earliest a youngster can handle a guitar. Any younger than that and they are physically unable to hold the guitar and get their fingers round the neck. There is no upper age limit.

Can I sit in on my child’s class?
Yes, of course. If you are bringing a child to classes, you are welcome to sit in on the class.