Preparing For Class

Preparing for Class:

This page is set up to help parents prepare their students for their Rokk Skoool classes. It is critical to the success of the Rokk Skoool program for students to start class with all of the tools recommended on this page. When possible, we have provided links to economical choices for direct purchase on the web.

Electric/Acoustic Guitar 101 (EAG 101):
1. Electric Guitar. As far as entry-level choices go, here's our top pick in both the $100-$200 range and in the $200-$300 range. Don't take our word for it. In general, guitars these days tend to be very well-constructed and problem-free under normal use conditions. These are merely suggestions for those who have not purchased an instrument yet for their student and have no idea where to go for help. The above choices were selected for their kid-friendliness but would feel great in adult hands as well. They stay in tune well and rival much more expensive couterparts in terms of playability. (Parents: Unless your student has very small hands for their age, resist the tempation to purchase a smaller scale or "student" size guitar. These guitars will outgrow their usefulness extremely quickly and typically do not stay in tune very well - a bad start for your student right off the bat.)
2. Acoustic Guitar. Acoustic guitar choices are too varied to narrow down to one or two good choices. A rule of thumb to follow however, is to spend more than $150. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to acoustic guitars. Stick with name brands like Fender, Yamaha, Alvarez, Ibanez or Epiphone and you can't go wrong. Strings are critical! Make sure you only purchase "light" or "extra light" acoustic guitar strings. Other choices are just too rigid and unforgiving for new student fingers.
2. Amp. A small-wattage (10W - 40W) practice amp is usually best for beginning students. They will usually have a headphone output for quiet practice. Too many good choices to list just one or two. Students will not need to bring their amps to class. They are only needed for home practice.
3. Tuner. It's so important for your student to play in tune and recognize when they are becoming "detuned" while playing. Students simply cannot develop this skill without a decent tuner at their disposal. It can be as simple as this one - our top choice in economical tuners. For information on HOW to tune a guitar, go here.
4. Strings. Strings are vastly overlooked and sometimes viewed as a permanent part of the guitar. The truth is, the more frequently strings are changed, the more likely the satisfaction of the playing experience will increase. Students are encouraged to change their strings every 4-6 weeks. New strings sound brighter and stay in tune longer. Please make sure your student always has a spare set of strings in their guitar case in the event of string breakage in class. Strings are classified by string gauge. Usually the best set of strings to buy for young students of the electric guitar are lighter in gauge such as these.
5. Metronome. Your student will not be able to get the most from the curriculum offered through Rokk Skoool without a metronome. It used to be that you'd have to purchase a metronome for home practice. This is ok, but one will set you back about 15 bucks. However, with all of the free offerings on the internet these days musicians have better options. Get a fully featured metronome on your computer screen with audio through your computer speakers or headphones here.
6. Picks. Picks are a matter of preference, really. But..., we recommend these in .88 mm gauge. They strike the right balance between rigidity and pliability. They also have ridges for grip when fingers are sweaty.
7. Strap. Super important piece of the puzzle here. Frankly, we don't care if you rig your student's guitar with twine, as long as he/she can stand up with their guitar in postion in front of them during class. We don't practice sitting down. We are rock stars, not concert cellists for goodness sake! If your favorite musicians sit down while playing, maybe it's time to start listening to the music your student listens to.

Electric/Acosutic Guitar 201 (EAG 201):
See EG101 above.

Advanced Guitar Techniques (AGT):
See EG101 above. Students will also need to have a capo available for use in the AGT class. Here's our choice.

Bass Guitar 101 (BG 101):
1. Bass Guitar. Here's our top choice. There are cheaper alternatives, but we feel that this one is both an entry-level model as well as an instrument that students will enjoy playing as they progress in skill-level. Again, don't take our word for it. In general, bass guitars these days tend to be very well-constructed and problem-free under normal use conditions. This is merely a suggestion for those who have not purchased an instrument yet for their student and have no idea where to go for help. The above choice has been selected for its' kid-friendliness but would be a perfect choice for an adult student also.
2. Amp. Because bass guitar is an "accompaniment" type of instrument, an amp that allows input for CD or other exterior source is important so that your student may play along. Headphone output is also important. A simple low-wattage practice bass amp is fine for beginners. Again, too many good ones to list just one. Hard to make a bad choice for a bass amp. Students will not need to bring their amps to class.
3. Tuner. It's so important for your student to play in tune and recognize when they are becoming "detuned" while playing. Students simply cannot develop this skill without a decent tuner at their disposal. It can be as simple as this one - our top choice in economical tuners. For information on HOW to tune a bass guitar, go here.
4. Strings. Fortunately for the parents of bass students, bass guitar stings do not have to be changed nearly as often as electric or acoustic guitar strings. However, your student still should have a spare set of strings in their gig bag. Here's a good choice for a 4-string bass.
5. Metronome. Your student will not be able to get the most from the curriculum offered through Rokk Skoool without a metronome. It used to be that you'd have to purchase a metronome for home practice. This is ok, but one will set you back about 15 bucks. However, with all of the free offerings on the internet these days musicians have better options. Get a fully featured metronome on your computer screen with audio through your computer speakers or headphones here.
6. Picks. We teach predominantly finger-style bass playing - the only way to really rock it on bass. Hence, a pick is of reduced value in a Rokk Skoool bass class. However, any guitar pick of 1.0 mm or greater would work well.
7. Strap. Super important piece of the puzzle here. Frankly, we don't care if you rig your student's bass guitar with twine, as long as he/she can stand up with their bass in postion in front of them during class. We don't practice sitting down. We are rock stars, not concert cellists for goodness sake! If your favorite musicians sit down while playing, maybe it's time to start listening to the music your student listens to.

Bass Guitar 201 (BG 201):
See BG101 above.

Drumset 101 (DRM 101):
1. Drumset. This is a matter of choice. There are so many good choices, it's hard to purchase a "bad" drumset. Craigslist usually beats any retail store when it comes to drumsets. At Rokk Skoool, we practice on basic 4-piece sets with a 14" snare, a 12" tom, a 13" tom, a 16" floor tom and a single bass drum. For cymbals, we use a 13" hi-hat, 14" crash and 18" crash/ride. No bells and whistles - just enough to keep it rockin!
2. Sticks. Sticks are sooooooo important! Choosing the wrong stick while trying to start out playing drums could spell the end of a career due to the frustration that using the wrong size stick can cause. Really! Heavy sticks are for HEAVY players (or baseball players). Students learn so much technical stick work at Rokk Skoool that they need sticks that will not slow them down or encumber the response of the stick. This is why we recommend 7A's EXCLUSIVELY. If you've purchased heavier sticks for your student, please purchase a set of 7A's for them before you send them to class. Sticks break... often. Therefore, buy an economical multi-pack like this one. Wood tip or nylon tip really doesn't make all that much of a noticable difference.
3. Metronome. Your student will not be able to get the most from the curriculum offered through Rokk Skoool without a metronome. It used to be that you'd have to purchase a metronome for home practice. This is ok, but one will set you back about 15 bucks. However, with all of the free offerings on the internet these days musicians have better options. Get a fully featured metronome on your computer screen with audio through your computer speakers or headphones here.

Drumset 201 (DRM 201):
See DRM101 above.

Advanced Rhythm for Drumset (ARD):
See DRM101 above.

Vocals (VOX):
There's not much to worry about here. The only real recommendation is to send your student to every Vocals class with a bottle of fresh drinking water. We'll take care of the rest.