At Ewald Classical Guitar our method for children embraces, nurtures and develops each child's innate abilities. Children develop cognitive, life and social skills as through learning guitar--and they learn to play remarkably well. It is based on the internationally acclaimed Suzuki Method, with music as the "mother tongue," taught since 1946. While some of my students become professional musicians, the goal for all is to grow into fulfilled human beings. For adults we use a more traditional approach of teaching reading along with guitar skills. We have found, over time, that this works best to get adults playing.

Classical training for children develops many cognitive skills not developed by other kinds of music. For adults, building on their already huge skillset is satifsying. And since it's more challenging everything else is easy to play, or so my students of all ages tell me.

A classical guitar, also called a Spanish guitar, is a hollow-bodied wooden instrument with nylon strings. An acoustic guitar is similar but with steel strings. The nylon strings of a classical guitar are easier on the fingers than steel. Any genre of music can be played on a classical guitar while pop, jazz and rock are generally more suited to an acoustic or electric guitar.

Our young students, ages 3-12, play "by ear" before they learn to read the notes. This is Dr. Suzuki's "mother tongue" approach to learning music which allows a young guitarist to concentrate on how hands and fingers work. As in learning a native language, written notation comes after. For adults, being able to read musical notation allows the player to communicate directly with composers across the centuries and national boundaries. Many adult students find "time travel" of this kind is quite satisfying.

The tuition at Ewald Classical Guitar is competitive and for children learning the Suzuki Method, the Group class for Pre-Twinklers is included in the tuition. Monthly payment plans are available as well as tuition paid by the term.