Learn more about Rokk Skoool

Frequently Asked Questions:

How big is Rokk Skoool's typical class size?

The answer to this question truly depends on the type of instrument in question. Class sizes range from a maximum of 3 in a drum class while some guitar classes can have up to 14 in them. These class sizes have been piloted and perfected to ensure your student is getting the best, most focused direction available. Within the first few classes, students in these groups have usually formed friendships, worked as partners and developed healthy rivalrys with each other to keep themselves motivated to stay up on their studies.

How do I get the most out of the Rokk Skoool curriculum for my student?

The success of the Rokk Skoool program really depends on two factors. First, it is important that parents strive to make sure that their students attend every class on their schedule, if at all possible. Make up materials are available should a student need to miss a class. However, it will become slightly more challenging for students during the week that they will miss the classroom instruction to ensure that they are completely caught up with their work on their own and in time for the following week's class. It is recommended that families plan their vacations or any upcoming dates when they know that their students might be unavailable around the Rokk Skoool class schedule so that valuable classroom instruction will not be missed.

Secondly, the program relies on individual off-campus practice time. If both the student and the parent share the desire to get the most out of the Rokk Skoool experience, outside home practice times should be made available for the student daily for every day they are away from class. It takes no more than 30 minutes a day of concentrated practice time to master the week's assignments. No more than an hour of practice time is recommended during any day the student is attending Rokk Skoool. This is because studies have shown that extended free-form practice time without distinct and rigid direction can result in bad technical habits being formed that will show up when the student becomes involved in more advanced studies.

It is critical to understand that it is not possible for beginning students to become proficient in the techniques and concepts introduced during a given week without daily practice. In other words, the Rokk Skoool method calls for roughly an 80%-20% mix between off-campus practice and in-class instruction. So figure on 3 hours per week (30 minutes per day x 6 days per week) of solid, effective self-study for each student blended with 40 minutes of classroom time equals the optimum balance to get the most out of the program. Attempting just a once-a-week cram session will not result in any benefit whatsoever for the student and should be avoided at all costs. In fact, the once-a-week practice approach is the single biggest reason for failure in any musical instrument study forum, whether it be private lessons or classroom instruction. "Muscle-memory," which is vital to all musical instrument studies, is not learned in all-at-once sessions and must be developed in small progressions over time.

Frustration with the difficulty involved with learning their instrument is another huge factor which can result in students abandoning their musical instrument studies. At Rokk Skoool, we understand this reality and endeavor to continually reinforce the "big picture" for students and encourage them to work through their frustrations on their way to their periodic goals. Students, when they practice using the principles outlined above, are able to very quickly take a look back at where they've been and how far they've come.

How does Rokk Skoool tuition compare to the cost of private lessons?

Actually, Rokk Skoool's tuition costs wind up being much more affordable than private lessons. When compared side-by-side, the value of Rokk Skoool's classes becomes evident. A 12-week Rokk Skoool class consists of 480 minutes of instruction. That's 8 hours worth! 12 weeks of private lessons equals just 6 hours of instruction time (360 minutes). Rokk Skoool students get two hours more instruction every 12 weeks! Broken down by hourly cost, private lessons cost $50.00 to Rokk Skoool's $37.50.

Can my 9-year-old sign up for classes?

It has been our experience that students younger than the minimum age that Rokk Skoool has set for its student base tend to struggle mightily with musical instrument instruction. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, but, generally, it is best to wait until little minds (in addition to little fingers) reach a more optimum age of teachability before rushing them into lessons. Rokk Skoool will entertain the idea of permitting students younger than 10 years of age into classes provided they are able to display, at least, a basic proficiency on their instrument. This will be left to the discretion of the class instructor following a very brief interview/audition with the student. Give us a call or email us if you are interested in setting up an interview for your student.