Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Families with 2 or more students enrolled receive a 10% discount on all lessons. Contact us for details.

No. All our lesson packages are month-to-month with no long-term commitments. You can pause or cancel at any time with notice by the 15th of the month.

Every musician goes through a rigorous vetting process including credential verification, a teaching demonstration, background check, and interview. We accept fewer than 5% of applicants to ensure the highest quality instruction.

Every teacher goes through a rigorous vetting process including credential verification, a teaching demonstration, background check, and interview. We accept fewer than 5% of applicants to ensure the highest quality instruction.

Your satisfaction is our priority. If you feel your musician isn't the right match, let us know and we'll pair you with a different instructor at no additional cost. Finding the right musician-student fit is essential.

Your satisfaction is our priority. If you feel your teacher isn't the right match, let us know and we'll pair you with a different instructor at no additional cost. Finding the right teacher-student fit is essential.

Online lessons are conducted via Zoom or a similar video platform. You'll receive a link before each lesson. All you need is a stable internet connection, your instrument, and a device with a camera and microphone. Many students find online lessons just as effective as in-person.

We recommend weekly lessons for consistent progress. This gives you enough time to practice between sessions while maintaining momentum. Some advanced students opt for twice-weekly lessons.

Bass is an excellent first instrument — you don't need guitar experience at all. Bass has a unique role in music, and starting directly on bass means you'll develop the groove mindset, finger technique, and ear for rhythm that define great bass players. Many of our students chose bass as their very first instrument and wouldn't have it any other way.

No — our studio is fully equipped with industry-standard CDJs, controllers, turntables, and software. You can learn on our gear during lessons. When you're ready to practice at home, your instructor will recommend a beginner-friendly controller that fits your budget, typically starting around $200–300.

Not right away. A practice pad and a pair of sticks are all you need to get started — this is how most beginners develop their stick technique, rudiments, and hand control. When you're ready to upgrade, an electronic drum kit is a great space-friendly and noise-friendly option. Your musician will let you know when it's time to invest in more equipment based on your progress.

Either is fine! Acoustic guitar is a popular starting point because it's portable, requires no extra gear, and builds finger strength quickly. Electric guitar can be more motivating for kids who love rock or pop since the strings are lighter and easier to press. Your musician will help choose based on your child's musical interests and hand size. Many students eventually play both.

We teach on all major DAWs — Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio are the most popular. If you don't have one yet, your instructor will help you choose based on your musical goals and computer platform. Many DAWs offer free trial versions or lite editions to get started. Our studio also has fully equipped production workstations for in-person lessons.

A keyboard is perfectly fine for beginners! We recommend at least a 61-key weighted or semi-weighted keyboard so you can develop proper finger strength and technique. As you progress to intermediate and advanced levels, an acoustic piano or a full 88-key digital piano with weighted hammer action will make a big difference. Your musician can recommend the best option for your budget and level.

Violin sizing is based on arm length. Children typically start on a 1/16 or 1/8 size (ages 3–5), 1/4 size (ages 5–7), 1/2 size (ages 7–9), 3/4 size (ages 9–11), and full size from around age 12+. We strongly recommend renting rather than buying for growing children — most local music shops offer affordable monthly rental programs. Your musician will measure your child's arm at the first lesson to determine the perfect fit.

We generally recommend starting formal voice lessons around age 7 or 8. Before that, a child's vocal cords are still developing, so heavy technique work isn't appropriate. For younger kids (ages 4–6), we offer music readiness lessons that focus on pitch matching, rhythm, and musical expression through singing games — a great foundation for formal training later.

Most beginners start on electric bass because it's more affordable, physically easier to play, and versatile across many genres. Upright bass is ideal if you're drawn to jazz, orchestral music, or rockabilly. Your musician can teach either — and many students eventually learn both. We'll help you choose based on your musical goals and physical comfort.

DJ lessons work well for teens and adults — most students start around age 13 and up. Younger students benefit from having some basic music listening experience and the attention span for technical instruction. There's no upper age limit — many of our adult students are learning DJing as a new creative outlet or hobby.

This is one of the most common concerns we hear! An electronic drum kit with headphones solves the noise issue completely — you get a realistic playing experience while keeping things silent for everyone else. Practice pads are also virtually silent. Your musician can recommend the best quiet practice setup for your living situation and budget.

Guitar sizing depends on your child's age and height. Children ages 4–6 typically start with a 1/4 or 1/2 size guitar, ages 7–10 with a 3/4 size, and most kids over 11 can handle a full-size instrument. Your musician will assess the fit during the first lesson and recommend the right size. We can also point you to affordable rental programs so you're not buying a guitar they'll outgrow.

Not at all. While playing an instrument can be helpful, modern music production relies heavily on programming, sampling, and digital tools. Many of the world's top producers are primarily mouse-and-keyboard musicians. Your instructor will teach you to create professional-sounding music regardless of your instrumental background.

Most children are ready to start piano around age 5 or 6, when they can sit still for 30 minutes and their hands are big enough to comfortably reach five keys. That said, we've seen students as young as 4 thrive with the right approach, and it's absolutely never too late for teens or adults to begin. Your musician will adapt the lesson structure to match your child's attention span and developmental stage.

Violin has a steeper initial learning curve because there are no frets or keys to guide your fingers — intonation is entirely up to you. It can take a few weeks before the sound is consistently pleasant. But with patient instruction and regular practice, students make steady progress. Our musicians are experienced at making those early weeks encouraging and rewarding rather than frustrating.

Yes — this is one of the biggest benefits our students report. Our vocal coaches gradually build your confidence through breathing techniques, practice performances, and positive reinforcement. You'll start by singing comfortably in your lesson, then progress to small recitals and eventually larger performance opportunities. Many students who started out terrified of singing in front of anyone end up loving the stage.

Kids can absolutely play bass! Short-scale basses are specifically designed for younger players and those with smaller hands — they have a shorter neck and closer fret spacing, making them comfortable to play from around age 8–9. Your musician will recommend the right instrument size and can point you to kid-friendly options that don't break the bank.

No prior music theory knowledge is required. Your instructor will teach you the essentials as you go — things like song structure, phrasing, and harmonic mixing. Many students find that DJing actually builds their music theory understanding naturally because you're constantly analyzing how songs fit together.

Kids as young as 5 can start drum lessons, though the approach looks different than with older students. Young beginners focus on rhythm games, basic coordination, and hand technique on a practice pad before moving to a full kit. By age 7 or 8, most kids have the coordination and attention span for full drum kit lessons. Your musician will tailor the experience to your child's developmental level.

Absolutely! Guitar is one of the most popular instruments for complete beginners. You don't need any prior musical experience. Your musician will start with the basics — how to hold the guitar, simple chords, and easy strumming patterns — and build from there at a pace that's comfortable for you. Many of our adult students picked up guitar as their very first instrument.

Our production instructors cover a wide range of genres including hip-hop, electronic (house, techno, dubstep), pop, R&B, lo-fi, film/TV scoring, and more. Lessons are tailored to the style of music you want to create. The core skills — arrangement, mixing, sound design — transfer across all genres.

Most students are playing simplified versions of songs they love within the first month or two. Within 6 months of consistent weekly lessons and daily practice, you'll be able to play many popular songs confidently. Our musicians balance foundational technique with music you're excited about — so you stay motivated from day one.

With consistent weekly lessons and 15–20 minutes of daily practice, most students produce a clean, pleasant tone within 2–3 months. Simple melodies come within the first few months, and by the end of the first year, students are typically playing recognizable pieces with confidence. Every student progresses differently, and your musician will celebrate milestones along the way.

True tone-deafness (amusia) is extremely rare — fewer than 4% of people have it. Most people who think they can't sing simply haven't had proper training. Our vocal coaches specialize in developing pitch accuracy through ear training exercises, vocal warm-ups, and targeted drills. The vast majority of students who come in believing they 'can't sing' are matching pitch confidently within just a few weeks.

While bass and guitar share some similarities, bass lessons focus on rhythm, groove, timing, and locking in with a drummer — the backbone of any band. You'll learn walking bass lines, fingerstyle and slap technique, how to build bass lines from chord charts, and music theory specific to the bass role. It's a different mindset and skillset from lead guitar playing.

We teach on industry-standard platforms including Serato DJ, Rekordbox, and Traktor. On the hardware side, you'll work with Pioneer CDJs, DJ controllers, and vinyl turntables. Your instructor will help you choose the right setup based on the style of DJing you want to pursue — whether that's club DJing, mobile events, or turntablism.

Absolutely. Rhythm is a skill that's developed through practice, not something you're born with. In fact, drum lessons are one of the best ways to build rhythmic ability. Your musician will start with simple patterns and gradually increase complexity as your child's internal sense of time strengthens. We've seen countless students go from 'no rhythm' to rock-solid timekeeping.

Yes, this is completely normal for new guitar players! Your fingertips need time to develop calluses, which usually takes 2–4 weeks of regular practice. In the meantime, your musician will suggest exercises to build finger strength gradually and recommend shorter practice sessions to avoid overdoing it. The discomfort is temporary and goes away once calluses form.

At minimum, you need a computer (Mac or PC) and a DAW. As you progress, we recommend adding studio headphones ($50–150), an audio interface ($100–200), and a MIDI keyboard controller ($50–150). Your instructor will guide you on purchases as you need them — there's no need to buy everything at once.

We teach all styles! While classical training provides an excellent technical foundation, our musicians are skilled across pop, jazz, blues, film scores, musical theater, and more. During your first lesson, your musician will ask about your musical interests and tailor the curriculum to include the genres you're passionate about alongside solid fundamentals.

While classical training is the foundation of violin education, our musicians also teach fiddle styles (Irish, bluegrass, country), jazz violin, pop, and film music. If your child has specific musical interests, let us know when you book — we'll match you with a musician who specializes in those styles alongside core technique.

Our vocal coaches cover pop, R&B, musical theater, classical, jazz, folk, rock, country, and more. During your first lesson, your coach will discuss your favorite artists and genres to build a curriculum around music you love. Regardless of style, every student learns healthy vocal technique — proper breathing, support, and resonance — so your voice stays strong and protected.

Theory is incredibly valuable for bass players because bass is the bridge between rhythm and harmony in a band. Understanding scales, chord tones, and song structure allows you to create your own bass lines and improvise confidently instead of just memorizing patterns. Our musicians weave theory into lessons naturally through songs you're learning — it never feels like a dry lecture.

Most dedicated students are ready to play a casual event (house party, friend's birthday) within 2–3 months. To feel confident at a club or professional gig, expect 6–12 months of consistent practice and lessons. Your instructor will help you build a library, develop your mixing skills, and prepare for live performance scenarios.

Yes. Our musicians teach drum notation as part of the curriculum, which helps students learn new patterns faster, communicate with other musicians, and prepare for school band or auditions. But we balance notation with playing by ear and feel — the goal is to develop well-rounded drummers who can both read a chart and lock into a groove instinctively.

Not necessarily. Many guitar students learn through tablature (tabs), chord charts, and by ear — all of which are valid approaches. However, learning to read standard notation opens up more musical opportunities and makes it easier to communicate with other musicians. Your musician will introduce notation gradually alongside tabs so you build well-rounded skills without feeling overwhelmed.

Absolutely — many of our students study both. Production and DJing complement each other perfectly. Producers who DJ understand what works on a dance floor, and DJs who produce can play their own original music. Your instructor can integrate both disciplines into your lessons or you can take separate sessions for each.

For beginners, 15–20 minutes of focused daily practice is a great starting point. As students progress, 30–45 minutes becomes ideal. Consistency matters more than marathon sessions — practicing a little every day is far more effective than cramming an hour the night before a lesson. Your musician will assign specific practice goals each week so your child always knows exactly what to work on.

Daily practice is especially important for violin because muscle memory in the fingers, bow arm, and ear training all require consistent repetition. Even 10–15 minutes a day for young beginners makes a noticeable difference compared to skipping days. Your musician will structure practice assignments that are clear and manageable so it becomes a natural part of your child's routine.

Not at all. Many successful singers learn by ear, and our coaches are experienced at teaching students who have no music-reading background. That said, learning basic music literacy — understanding rhythm, pitch notation, and simple sight-singing — will make you a more versatile singer over time. Your coach will introduce these skills naturally as part of your lessons.

Absolutely. All of our musicians offer high-quality online lessons via Zoom or a similar video platform. Online lessons are just as effective as in-person sessions for most instruments and are perfect for students who live outside our studio areas, have unpredictable schedules, or simply prefer learning from home. You can mix and match online and in-person lessons based on what works best each week.

We teach students of all ages, from children as young as 4 through adults of any age. It's never too early or too late to start learning music!

For most instruments, yes — you'll need your own instrument to practice between lessons. However, our studios have instruments available during lesson time. We can also recommend rental programs if you're not ready to purchase.

Yes! Your first lesson is a discounted trial lesson. If you don't feel it's the right fit, there's no obligation to continue. We want you to feel confident in your musician match.

Yes! In addition to lessons at our studios, many of our musicians travel to students' homes throughout the Los Angeles area. In-home lessons are available for most instruments and are a great option for families with young children, busy professionals, or anyone who prefers the comfort of learning at home. Contact us to check musician availability in your neighborhood.

TakeSessions has two studio locations in Los Angeles. Our Oppenheimer Tower studio is located at 10880 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1101 in Westwood, serving the Westside, Beverly Hills, and San Fernando Valley. Our Santa Monica Studio is on Montana Ave, convenient for students in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Venice, and surrounding beach communities. Both studios are fully equipped for lessons in all instruments.

We require 24 hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are forfeited. We understand things come up, so each student gets 2 emergency cancellations per year.