What is a good age to start guitar lessons?

Guitar is easier for children who are at least 7 years old. It takes a lot of strength in the wrists as well as the fingers to be able to push down the strings. Some children can become frustrated if they are too young. If your child is younger and is persistent in wanting to play the guitar, you should ease them into it by introducing the piano first. This really is the best instrument to start on, and it will help your child when he does transfer to the guitar.

As a beginner, should I be using an electric or acoustic guitar?

The acoustic and electric guitar have many similarities. Electric guitars are generally much easier to play than acoustic guitars. The strings are lighter, and easier to press down. The sore fingers that many novices experience when learning on an acoustic guitar, generally are not nearly as much of an issue when learning on electric guitar.

Electric guitars have a different role in music than acoustic guitars. Whereas acoustic guitars are often used to strum chords to many songs, electric guitars are used to play "guitar leads" as well as chords. They each have advantages and disadvantages to the beginner. It is easier to learn to fingerpick on an acoustic guitar. Barr chords and power chords are easier to learn on an electric guitar. Most people learn how to strum the acoustic guitar, but rarely take the time to explore the many styles and sounds that it is capable of. Because of the nature of the electric guitar, many beginners learn power chords and then little else. And when the acoustic player gets his first electric, he tends to play it like an acoustic. And vice versa.

So which is better? Acoustic or Electric Guitar?

The one you desire to play would be the better one for you!

Note to parents!

When choosing out a guitar for your child. Try to realistically assess what they'd like best, as opposed to what you'd like them to play. Their progress will be noticeably better when playing a guitar they like.

Remember! Keeping your guitar out of the case, in plain view at all times, is tremendously important - you'll find yourself playing MUCH more. If you decide on an electric guitar, you might even consider leaving the cord in the guitar, plugged into the amplifier. That way, you can simply pick up the guitar, flick the amp on, and begin playing.

Drums Lesson

Drum Lessons

If you live near Los Angeles, and are interested in taking drum lessons, please call 818-502-1739 or send us an e-mail.

Learning to play the drums should be both fun and serious, and we focus on teachings upon the whole drum set:

Technique, sticking & coordination patterns, playing with confidence, creating grooves for songs, developing great time (and playing with click tracks, loops, & sequences), drum set chart reading and interpretation, snare drum reading, the importance of learning different styles of music, developing great work attitudes, and much more.

We treat each student uniquely, depending on where they are coming from, and where they want to go.

Ellenie Galestian began her dance career at the age of three. She studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern and various folk dancing. Since 1991, she competed in dance and gymnastics championships in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York City. Since 1996, she has performed in the Nutcracker with Pasadena Dance Theatre, Le Studio, and Helen’s Dance Studio. In 2000, she received a dance scholarship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She traveled to New York City to perform in the production of Trains, Boats, and Planes, with the Sweethearts International Touring Company. Since 2005, she has taught Armenian Cultural dance at the University of California, Los Angeles. She also teaches dance alongside her Father’s established music school, Five Star School of Music and Dance. Ellenie choreographs and performs for various events and venues with her company, Ellenie & Five Star Dance Entertainment.

In 2006, Ellenie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts and Dance from California State University, Los Angeles. Her projects include her dancing and singing in Vox Lumiere's production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Reno, Nevada. In 2007, Ellenie was featured as a dancer on SITV's hit show, "The Drop" with singers, Mike Jones and Paula Deanda. Ellenie continues her training and performance work while awaiting new avenues of success.

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION & PROFESSIONAL TEACHING

DANCE SCHOOL OBJECTIVES:

*Proper training, talent, & desire, are the foundations of developing the best of each student at Five Star School of Dance

STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO:

* Identify & perform various styles of dance

* Gain knowledge & technique in various dance forms

* Evaluate personal areas of strength & weakness

* Develop mental & physical coordination

* Apply discipline & concentration to their dancing

DANCE PROGRAMS

*Pre-Dance

*Ballet

*Tap

*Jazz

*Hip-Hop

Our new page on myspace is : www.myspace.com/fivestarMD

Check us out. We do appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Pre- Dance

(3-5-Yrs): INTRODUCTION TO BASIC MOVEMENTS & EXERCISES.

Ballet

(6YRS + UP):*RUSSIAN/VAGANOVA TECHNIQUE:THE RUSSIAN VAGANOVA TECHNIQUE IS NAMED AFTER THE TEACHINGS OF AGRIPPINA VAGANOVA, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE KIROV BALLET.

INTRODUCTION TO BALLET DISCIPLINE, BARRE WORK, ACROSS-THE-FLOOR MOVEMENT SEQUENCES (LEAPS, JUMPS, TURNS) & COMBINATIONS.

Tap

(6 YRS + UP) INTRODUCTION TO BASIC TAP, RHYTHMS, BEATS & IMPROVISATION STEPS.

Jazz

(6 YRS + UP) MOST STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE FAMILIER WITH BALLET TECHNIQUE, TERMS, IN COMBINATION OF UPLIFTING MUSIC.

Hip-Hop

(9 YRS + UP) ENJOYABLE & POPULAR DEMAND TO THE COMMERCIAL DANCE & MUSIC WORLD OF TODAY. THIS CLASS BUILDS SELF-CONFIDENCE & SELF-ESTEEM WITH THE INTERACTION OF OTHER STUDENTS.

For more information, please contact us!