By way of background, I'm just some middle-aged guy that wants to learn to sing. To be clear, not to be a pro but just to be able to open my mouth and not have people look at me funny, squirm, or cover their ears with their hands. I've had the obligatory piano lessons when I was like 7 but other than that, I've had no formal music or voice training. But in recent years, I was very into playing guitar and uke and I just wanted to be able to sing along. These guys are very welcoming for someone like me. I am two lessons in now and am very hopeful!
I ended up with Mr. Geoffrey who is the most down to earth, chill guy. I admit, I was a bit afraid going into this wondering whether I was too old given the very adolescent theme of Jammin Music. Or perhaps they were going to be super strict like the stories I hear about the classical guitar conservatores smacking me with a stick every time I was off pitch LOL!! I just didn't know what to expect.
Well, the lady behind the counter was the first person I met after having made my first class reservations over the phone. She was very nice and welcoming so that was a great start. Then I met Mr. Geoffrey who, off the bat, made me feel very very comfortable. We got to know a little bit about each other and he fully understood where I wanted to be at with singing. Not once did I feel like a hopeless cause (which I honestly felt I was walking in there) but at the same time, I didn't feel like sunshine was being blown up my rear end. It was just a very down to earth experience - like a friend helping me with something that I knew nothing about he knew everything. I had my second lesson last week and it was much harder. I mention this because one of my concerns coming out of the first lesson was whether maybe that was a little too down to earth. Not so with the second lesson. I really felt pushed - borderline intimidated - but that is really a good thing. There is a solid feeling of accomplishment and challenge at the end of a lesson like that. So now I am looking forward to my third lesson.
So the big takeaways - 1) Not just for kids this place - in fact, never did I feel like I was an adult at a kids school. Actually, all the other students I saw were adults! 2) Friendly, knowledgeable, effective staff - who knows maybe that was a jedi mind trick with the first lesson to lull me into a comfortable zone then the second lesson was the stick! LOL. Maybe the third will be wax on wax off and he shows me the "crain kick" who knows but the point is it is effective whether by design or not. 3) Market price - not lower not higher but just right and given the experience so far, definitely well worth it.
So if you're in a similar position as I am, kicking yourself for not taking this stuff more seriously as a kid, just do it. You won't regret it and music is such a great thing anyway. read more