The cognitive skills usually kick in around 8 or 9. There are always exceptions but for most, this is a realistic early age to take it on . The reality is most of us start well after 8 or 9 without any real handicap. With the right motivation, people of any age can learn.

It depends what you mean by "play". To be able to strum a few simple pop songs for most, takes a few months. To master the guitar as a musical instrument takes the rest of your life, the more you look into it the more you see. There's always something to learn, be it techniques, concepts, styles etc..

We're $35 per 1/2 hour lesson. As we don't like to oblige new students to pay for lesson blocks up front, the first lesson is a single one off payment. If continuing - we have weekly lesson block options for 4 , 5 or 10 weeks - 5 week lesson blocks are standard.  Flexi-times can be arranged. Oh yea,  we don't do enrolment fees either, you're welcome ! 😃

If you're a first timer it seems to make sense to buy a cheaper budget model. It's understandable not outlaying too much for a pursuit you're uncertain about - but that old saying - You Get What You Pay For - holds true. Don't be tempted to buy a cheapy. While some cheap models may look sexy (especially the electrics), most are harder to play, chronically un-tuneable and always sound inferior. A cheap instrument will either make you want to give up or end up spending more to get a better one.

Acoustic guitars fall into 2 main categories - Nylon String ( Classical ) and Steel string ( known as simply Acoustic). As a rule, entry level Nylon Strings are cheaper, they're gentler on the fingers and tend to have the same size body and neck, in other words they all feel pretty much the same.They also come in 3/4 size versions - a good option for the kids. Nylon Strings have a characteristic soft "Lute" like sound.

The short answer is yes ! Many think to play guitar you must learn to read treble clef - the notation system for violin, flute and piano (right hand). A lot are quite shocked and pleasantly surprised to realise you can learn about music - theory, ear training, technique, etc.. without reading music. Having said that, I do urge people to learn to read music as a means of developing greater versatility.

Tuners are a must have for beginners to professionals alike. There's clamp on tuners that attach to a guitar's headstock. There's also tuning apps available. Either way, a tuner is an essential item every guitarist needs - make sure you get one !