Frequently Asked Questions - Why UpGuitarHill?
List of questions:
- Bottom line. Why must I consider UpGuitarHill?
- Why do you believe your UpGuitarHill paced lessons or guitar method will work for me?
- I am a parent considering paying for this. Why must I?
- How many lessons can I buy at a time? Can I purchase all 15 up front?
- Why the UpGuitarHill web site?
- Is it really possible to learn guitar through distance learning?
- Why isn't the UpGuitarHill web site hyped up with killer lesson packs and full of adverts etc.
- Why do you offer internet contact? I.e. You agree to reply to 4 emails per lesson from students.
- What about a guitar teacher? Should I not rather find one to teach me?
- Money matters?
- Please explain your interaction cycle with your students?
- How many lessons do you offer and how do I track my progress?
- Will you disclose my information to a third party.
- I notice that images used on the web site come direct from Google.
- How do you feel about copyright? Would you mind if I give your lessons to friends of mine?
- I would like to learn with you but I cannot afford your lessons. Can you help me?
Question 1:
Bottom line. Why must I consider UpGuitarHill?
Answer 1:
Here is the answer in 5 key facts:
Fact 1.
The 2nd lesson is free!
This means that for an investment of $10 (Ten US Dollars) for your first lesson, you will get the 2nd lesson absoluely free. This will help you to maintain your momentum UpGuitarHill. Remember that paying for lessons is a good thing! This will make sure that you are serious and by investing you will be sure that you want to do this. Another important thing about this is that you are paying for my assistance, as if you are a student of mine, but via the internet! I am happy to respond to any questions you have about guitar. Remember that the only stupid question is that which is not asked, so speak up and get your money's worth. Engage your teacher and I will email you back with your answers, I can also set up Skype, tailor make video's for you to deal with specific areas that need concern etc.
Because we are taking the journey a step at a time, take your time and ensure that you get each step. The journey UpGutiarHill has been synthesized into 15 powerful steps so, if you apply yourself, you will be able to move quickly into nylon string guitar ability and after the 15 steps you will be playing the instrument very well! That's my promise to you!
This payment, ensures that I will be available to help you!
But you must dictate your level of internet ability and how you want to engage your teacher (plug into my assistance) via the internet. I can respond technically to any setup you will be happy with, matching your computer ability and with the internet as a backbone and utilizing its multimodal mediums (different types) of communication.
Remember that mutual exchange and commitment (in the form of giving and taking from both sides) between student and teacher is of fundamental importance to keep the student focused, the learning process alive and to spur you on! As such, each of the next 14 lessons, will need you to reciprocate with a payment.
Also, as each of the 15 UpGuitarHill lessons is a quality lesson and part of a structured, paced (and tested over many years) guitar teaching program, you will be sure you are getting value for your money.
Also don't forget:
The PayPal Internet Payment Gateway is used world wide and is the safer, easier way to pay online, offering 100% secure internet transfers!
Fact 2.
This is a holistic course. If you take a while and read the Student Motivation and Harmony Portal you will see that I don't just teach nylon string guitar. I also focus on the new guitar student, as a holistic being, as well. I believe that if you strive to be happy and you are "Up Tone" then the process of learning nylon guitar, as a spiritual journey, will become that much more easy and successful and an activity into which you can grow and develop as a person. So not only do you learn this wonderful instrument, but you also gain spiritually as a person in the process!
Some Links from the Student Motivation can take you to amazing places (Learn to Fly, Seagull, Harmony Portal etc.). But I will leave that to you to discover, or not, as you feel is right for you.
Fact 3.
My aim is to build UpGuitarHill on repeat business. As such it is in my interest to work closely with you and nurture the relationship with you. I am convinced that if the structured and paced UpGuitarHill teaching program is followed systematically, then I can assist all who are interested to enjoy the view!
I am also excited at the prospect of getting more students who without a guitar teacher near them, are now, with the internet, able to join me on a journey UpGuitarHill. Therefore working closely with you (and offering benefit to you) in this way we both will benefit!
Fact 4.
Most guitar courses on the Internet sell an expensive teaching pack, including a number of lessons that you buy up front and are then expected to work through (and teach yourself) on your own.
But, in my experience, this will not help most students of the instrument because learning guitar is interactive and requires input from both the teacher and the student. And this interaction must be at each step of the learning process.
Also the teaching program offered must follow a gentle upward gradient of at first easy, and then on to more demanding lessons, when the student is able to meet the challenge. Step by step, a step at a time, and the ability to contact your teacher if you find yourself "out gradient", that is the secret to success!
Often, with the whole course in front of the student, or the steps are too steep, they will become overwhelmed and will quickly give up. The image below is of a student who is "out gradient".
Therefore I have structured the UpGuitarHill teaching program differently. To put it simply you benefit by paying for each satisfied step you take, and as you go! And you are paying for a connection with your teacher who will, hopefully, if you are motivated, keep you moving UpGutiarHill! This is a very unique combination and not something found on the internet.
Remember that YOU are in charge of the process and YOU only pay for the next lesson or step when, and if, YOU feel YOU are ready!
And don't forget that it is very important for a student to pay as they go because (from a teacher and student focus and engagement perspective) it ensures student commitment and dedication towards the joint goal.
To illustrate by example: Imagine eating a meal at a special restaurant where you are only charged for each dish you order of your meal. If you enjoy your starter then you order the next dish and next until you are satisfied. If, at any time, YOU don't like the food, or have had enough, YOU simply get up and leave!
But this is unlikely because at UpGuitarHill your waiter (teacher and guide) is always available and contactable. In fact you can email me at any time if you experience any problems, need advice or even just assurance about your purchase as long as the communication is about your goal to get UpGuitarHill.
Remember that I want you to enjoy the view UpGuitarHill, which is great!
Fact 5.
By putting UpGuitarHill Beginner Guitar Lessons to the test each time YOU request the next lesson YOU can carefully gauge the quality and benefit for yourself at each step UpGuitarHill. This means YOU remain fully in charge of your relationship with UpGuitarHill.
Question 2:
Why do you believe your UpGuitarHill paced lessons or guitar method will work for me?
Answer 2:
You may have tried unsuccessfully to learn guitar before.
Common problems are:
That good guitar teachers are in short supply and are not near you.
Also lessons are not carefully structured with the next lesson building carefully on the one before.
Or that no specially worked out songs are offered for your level.
Not to mention limited time you have available and the danger of becoming lost following dead end routes.
or the high cost of lessons.
Following the focused path offered here, you are lead by me, using the step by step, direct but gentle route, UpGuitarHill. Also via the internet, lessons are in the comfort of your own home!
Soon (in just 15 fun filled steps), you will be able to play the nylon guitar well. You will also have a repertoire of over 25 songs (in some lessons I offer more then one song) and you will also have a number of cool strums and finger picks at your disposal. This means that in just 15 lessons you will have acquired the guitar playing skills to play the songs of your pop and rock idols or even write your own songs.
And do not complete that when you summit UpGuitarHill you will gain access to my "treasure chest" of More Songs and More Songs with Backing Tracks, a collection to which I add new songs on a regular basis. So completing the UpGuitarHill guitar course will give you access to over 130 "well worked out songs." This is an amazing offer!
So if you do not wan't to take your guitar skills in a new direction you can also decide to keep it simple and very enjoyable by just focusing on increasing your song playing repertoire by choosing from the many (over 130 songs) More Songs already worked out especially for nylon guitar and offered here.
The advantages of the UpGuitarHill guitar teaching method is summarized in the following points:
Each lesson is a SINGLE STEP taken when walking UpGuitarHill. Note this is GuitarHill not GuitarMountain! Within each lesson are also smaller steps that continuously help to make progress easier when you are walking UpGuitarHill. This step by step strategy is key to the success of learning guitar and especially for distance learning! Each lesson is structured to give you just enough for that step (or sub step) without overwhelming you! Remember that there are many web sites offering guitar lessons. But in order for the lessons to be effective, especially as part of a distance learning program, they must be very carefully structured in order to keep the student focused and ensure forward progress. I like to quote the story of the tortoise and the hare. If a student buzzes around like the hare trying this and then trying that they can quickly end up overwhelmed and would have progressed little. Rather be like the tortoise and systematically follow a well used path that will bring success. UpGuitarHill lessons have taken years to perfect and each lesson offers just what is required to achieve the ability to successfully complete that step (or section) and to prepare you to move onto the next step (section).
Each lesson must not over burden you with stuff that should be dealt with at a later time much higher above where you are now. UpGuitarHill lessons only focus on songs I.e. you are not dragged into advanced music theory, styles of music that are beyond your ability, complex songs and chords etc. [Note that I do offer some slightly advanced stuff at the end of some of your lessons but you are given the choice to try them out or not. I only do this when I feel you need to stretch yourself in order improve your technique or etc. But it is your choice to do these exercises and you will not loose out by much if you do not feel up to it and simply want to learn the songs offered UpGuitarHill]. Your only key objective is to learn a song a step and through this you learn what is required for that step. After 15 steps, a path which is great fun to walk, you will have a solid grounding to take the nylon guitar in whatever direction you require, I.e. classical, rock etc. or you can decide to stay with songs. With your new ability you can easily access and play the many hundreds and thousands of song sheets freely available on the internet, buy song books or write your own songs. And after 15 steps UpGuitarHill you will have mastered enough to even work out for yourself and play the latest folk, pop and rock songs of your idols.
Often when you become disheartened or disillusioned and give up this happens because you are trying to do something too difficult for where you are now and are looking too far above where you are now. This overwhelmed feeling is called 'being out gradient'. Sometimes we need to stretch ourselves in order to improve. But if too much is expected then the result is negative. UpGuitarHill tries to limit this feeling to ensure you stay on track!
Follow the lessons a step at a time, and don’t go onto the next lesson before you are fully on top of the current lesson, and you will soon find yourself walking easily UpGuitarHill. I focus the student to immediately be able to play easy songs which is a tried and tested method to ensure the bond between the student and their guitar is solidly reinforced. Isn't that why you bought your guitar in the first place? The sooner you start to play songs for your own enjoyment, and even to entertain others [only if you want to], the less likely you will be to give up learning guitar!
Most important is that with UpGuitarHill lessons you are in charge of your guitar learning progress! As this course is "pay as you go" you will only invest in the next step when you feel you are ready to, or you want to move on.
Question 3:
I am a young person living at home with my parents. I don't yet work or earn sufficient money to put myself through your UpGuitarHill Guitar course. How can I motivate the course to my parents so that they will agree to help me pay for it? or, I am a parent considering paying for this. Why must I??
Answer 3:
I am open to a suggestion of a lower cost per lesson if you are a child or student. Please email me and motivate this. You will need to pay me via EFT if you want a lower price as the payment buttons on PayPal are set to the standard price.
Parents if you intend paying for your children, you can insist on them showing you their current lesson (the UpGuitarHill step they are busy with) and ask them to play the song and exercises, before you agree to pay for the next lesson!
I clearly define the goals that are required for each lesson within each lesson. Armed with this knowledge you will be able to see the defined goal and ensure that it is attained before you pay for the next. This, pay as you go method, will solidly secure your investment in your child!
As you are aware, most people who are not really serious about learning the guitar (or any musical instrument) will probably give up within the first few lessons. With the first Lesson (Step UpGuitarHill) offered free, you will be in a good position to ask for your child to prove to you that they are serious about learning the guitar, by completing the first free lesson (and supsequent lessons) first, before you consider paying for each "next" step.
I.e. Steps 2 and onwards...
On satisfactory completion of lesson 1. the student can then asks for your assistance again to obtain next step, Step 3 (because step 2 is free!) and when you are happy with their progress you can readily agree to pay for Step 4 and the cycle repeats itself for Steps 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10 etc. to Step 15 which is at the summit of GuitarHill.
Each lesson should take a week to complete. Which means the course can be completed in just 15 weeks.
But this is just a guideline. The student can, and should, take as long as they need or want. Remember the tortoise and the hare. We want systematic progress to reach the end goal and not a mad rush for a short while!
HERE IS A TRUTH: "Happiness is the attainment of NOT UNKNOWN goals!"
This is one of the very important life lessons that UpGuitarHill can teach a person. And this is an incredible lesson for your child to learn!
I strongly suggest that the guitar must be played each and every day for at least 10 minutes to a half an hour to ensure progress. I.e. the student must pick up their guitar each and every day and play it.
This is also great fun and something you and your child can enjoy together. UpGuitarHill tuition is a step by step process so constant focus will be required by your child and this is rewarded by continued investment by you - if progress is being made! By paying as you go you also only invest as long as interest is shown by the student! This way you do not lay out money up front for a full guitar course which will be wasted, but rather rewarding each successful step taken.
Remember that your interaction with UpGuitarHill is totally under your control. I.e. You can stop your involvement at any time.
I sincerely hope you do not because the view at the top of UpGuitarHill is really great!
Question 4:
How many lessons can I buy at a time? Can I purchase all 14 (Remember lesson 2 is Free!) lessons up front?
Answer 4:
You can only purchase a step at a time. I.e. 1 lesson at a time. And I only release the next a week later to a student who is known to me. I.e. I require a minimum of email contact with you to facilitate a basis for student teacher exchange.
Please refer to the progress graph (Question 12) to see the path UpGutiarHill I.e. our goal.
My reason for this is simple. As your teacher I know that you need at least a week to complete a step. If you try to go any faster you will be fooling yourself and undermining what UpGuitarHill stands for.
As such, in order for you to get value for your money, I require you to work closely with me and make progress a step at a time and one lesson a week. Remember the moral of the tortoise and the hare by Aesop which is stressed over and over again in the Student Motivation section of UpGuitarHill. This is key for your success!
If you were a student of mine, sitting in front of me, trying to bite off more than you could chew I would have to reign you in and insist that you take smaller steps and keep them systematic and in gradient. I.e. a manageable step at a time!
But, thinking realistically, with focused effort you will be able to climb to the top of UpGuitarHill in just 15 weeks. This is a totally achievable and realistic goal that you can set for yourself! And I will help you achieve it!
By following my lead, in just 15 fun filled lessons, you will be playing nylon guitar confidently and very well!
That is my promise to you!
Each UpGuitarHill guitar lesson should take a week to complete and requires between an hour to two and a half hours (or more) investment in your time. I.e. 10 minutes to 30 minutes per day. But you are welcome to take it as long as you want, and walk UpGuitarHill at your own pace. Just keep at it, walking systematically and enjoy yourself.
Question 5:
Why the UpGuitarHill web site?
Answer 5:
Guitar is my passion.
Primarily I have built this site to give back to the universe, the joy I have had with the nylon guitar. My hope is to show others how wonderful it is to play the nylon string guitar and what an amazing thing it is to have this instrument in their lives. At times in my life, when I have been low, it was through playing my nylon string guitar that I managed to keep my head up, remained positive and continued to persevere. If I can connect with some of you out there who would not otherwise have chosen playing the nylon guitar and help you to learn to play this wonderful instrument, then I benefit as well.
I see the site as a portal for people, interested in learning guitar via distance learning, to connect with me. This portal is also a way to reach more students, especially those who are not fortunate enough (because of pressure of work, distance, cost etc.) to have access to an experienced guitar teacher.
The 15 steps of this course are tried and tested and my hope is that YOU (and many others) will find your way UpGuitarHill and into the fun and enjoyment of nylon guitar playing! The life skills that come bundled with the holistic teaching method of UpGutiarHill really help studends and it is a combination of the lessons, my teaching and this input that makes UpGuitarHill unique.
I cannot give you more information of feedback I receive from students, as it is a policy of mine not to share any details of the student teacher interaction (of the feedback from my students) on the web site, and also because it is something that exists privately between them and me. But, as an example: I currently have a number of students of guitar who are from all works of life, some who are residents of prisons, some who live in the middle of Africa, and a few at remote locations where there is no access to a guitar teacher, and feedback I receive from them is extremely positive.
Question 6:
Is it really possible to learn guitar through distance learning?
Answer 6:
Yes it is! But you must be prepared to put in the effort from your side in order to make progress. Each UpGuitarHill lesson is very carefully structured with the key goals and focus areas clearly defined that you need to master for that lesson. The 15 steps are also carefully structured so you can proceed in a paced and steady gradient UpGuitarHill. And at each step you will get positive reinforcement for your efforts with the ability to play a new song!
Also I offer you a point of contact with me via email should you really not understand some concept in the notes. I.e. you are not left out in the cold and can reach out for help if needed. The series of steps used here have been used for many years to successfully teach students. If you are a beginner then, using these steps, you will quickly and easily learn to walk UpGuitarHill! Please read the Student Motivation to understand the complexity of learning guitar and the need for a "tortoise mentality" and not the mentality of a "hare" and why this is vital to really make progress in the long run! This is one of the many lessons you can learn from the Student Motivation which will help you in your guitar and with life! Ultimately you must decide if you want to go with me UpGuitarHill. Many start guitar and give up. Again please read the Student Motivation to understand why this happens and how to prevent it. Playing guitar is also about developing a mindset that you need to attain which means that you begin to see yourself, "happy to be a guitarist - for life!" If you do decide to learn guitar then this tried and tested method will get you quickly and effectively UpGuitarHill.
Question 7:
Why isn't the UpGuitarHill web site hyped up with killer lesson packs and full of adverts etc.
Answer 7:
My goal is to offer a good quality product and give brilliant service.
The UpGuitarHill guitar course is structured for people who are serious about learning to play the nylon guitar but do not have access to a structured teaching programme. This course is not intended for those who want to zip around trying this and then trying that in guitar. These people should really look elsewhere as it seems to me that there are many web sites out there offering expensive products that catering specifically for such whims.
It is my experience that those who are not serious about learning guitar will, sooner or later, catch themselves out and give up learning the instrument!
Please read the Student Motivation (and especially the fable of the tortoise and the hare) for my guitar teaching philosophy on this. The UpGuitarHill course will get you into playing nylon guitar in a simple and direct way. I use well known (and yes, even sometimes the good older songs) and wrap a solid teaching method around these songs that works. All the student has to do is follow my lead, step by step and walk UpGuitarHill! I am not focused on a quick buck for that "mythical" and expensive killer lesson pack.
Rather I want to work with interested people and systematically walk with them as they grow their nylon guitar playing ability.
Put another way, I already have had, and will continue to have, a long and fulfilling love affair with my guitar. If you don't want to experience this feeling then UpGuitarHill, and what it stands for is not for you.
Question 8:
Why do you offer internet contact? I.e. You agree to reply to emails from your students.
Answer 8:
I have put together this course for, and to assist, students who cannot attend my classes directly.
I.e. it has been structured for distance learning.
Using the lesson notes with each lesson, the mp3 file of the song, hyperlinks to video's on the UpGuitarHill web site, other resources on UpGuitarHill (The Student Motivation for example) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) etc. the student should be able to take themselves through the lessons without contacting me at all. But, at any time, if a problem is experienced by the student, that is not handled by the notes for each lesson or the FAQ, or if the student has a question that they want answered, then the student must have an open communication line to the teacher.
This is an essential part of successful distance learning I.e. an open communication line to the teacher!
I have two conditions for you with regard to email contact with me:
1. All questions must be related to and focused upon the lesson the student is busy with. Remember that there is never a stupid question and the only stupid question is that which is not asked!
2. I must ask you to please be aware that while I try to answer the emails immediately I may sometimes not be able to do this. I therefore ask you to give me a 24 hour turn around time and be patient while I get to your email.
I do have a blackberry and will email you back immediately telling you that I have received your email so you can relax and know that your communication has got through to me and will be answered ASAP.
I may need extra time in order to respond properly and ensure that I answer your questions correctly. I may also have other work load that I need to attend to first, or I may be away from my computer. Remember also that I receive emails from all over the world and some even get to me in the early hours of the morning!
Remember the moral of the tortoise and the hare. At UpGuitarHill we endeavour to be like the tortoise and want to proceed in a systematic, sure, patient and step by step manner. Walking UpGuitarHill is for the long haul and is not about a quick hit and run (I.e. like the hare that rushes here and there and quickly gets looses focus and becomes distracted).
SO BOTTOM LINE: PLEASE BE PATIENT YOUR EMAIL'S AND ORDER'S WILL BE PROCESSED!
Question 9:
What about a guitar teacher? Should I not rather find one to teach me?.
Answer 9:
Yes. A proficient teacher who has the experience to offer structured, paced, one on one lessons on a weekly basis, is always the best way to learn guitar! I learned with a classical guitar teacher from the age of 7 to 35. I also was taught by a flamenco and folk teacher from 30 until I was 48.
One on One is always best.
But you also have to have access to the best teacher to get the best out of your lessons. It is however my experience that easy access to a good teacher is not always an option available to many people. Often, I find, many people profess to know how to teach guitar but do not have enough knowledge or experience. They also do not understand about the need for a steady and gradient pace and do not have lesson structure. The UpGuitarHill portal aims to offer access to tried and tested quality guitar tuition but in a distance learning mode. I.e. using the UpGuitarHill Internet Portal as an empowerment tool to get out to people who have no access to teaching, and then through regular correspondence via email, and against a structured set of lessons, the aim is to get you UpGuitarHill!
Question 10:
Money matters?
Answer 10:
UpGuitarHill lessons (apart from the first free lesson) will cost only $10 (Ten US Dollars) per lesson.
Know that these are tried and tested and will systematically get YOU, the beginner, UP and into playing the Fingerpicking Nylon Guitar.
The 
PAYMENT GATEWAY is used world wide and is the safer, easier way to pay online, offering 100% secure internet transfers!
Why is the price for each UpGutiarHill lesson $10.
The important thing about this is that you are paying for my assistance, as if you are a student of mine, but via the internet! I am happy to respond to any questions you have about guitar. Remember that the only stupid question is that which is not asked, so speak up and get your money's worth. Engage your teacher and I will email you back with your answers, I can also set up Skype, tailor make video's for you to deal with specific areas that need concern etc.
Because we are taking the journey a step at a time, take your time and ensure that you get each step. The journey UpGutiarHill has been synthesized into 15 powerful steps so, if you apply yourself, you will be able to move quickly into nylon string guitar ability and after the 15 steps you will be playing the instrument very well! That's my promise to you!
This payment, ensures that I will be available to help you! But you must dictate your level of internet ability and how you want to engage your teacher (plug into my assistance) via the internet. I can respond technically to any setup you will be happy with, matching your computer ability and with the internet as a backbone and utilizing its multimodal mediums (different types) of communication.
Because I want you to get UpGuitarHill and to start enjoying your guitar (which is also your best friend for life) as much as I enjoy mine!
My aim will be to focus on building an interactive and mutually beneficial relationship with each of my students I.e. you reach, I reach, you reach, I reach etc.
I have nothing to gain by not working very closely with you UpGuitarHill! The longer we work successfully together the better and more beneficial for both of us. It is that simple!
Question 11:
Please explain your interaction cycle with your students and, especially, how you deal with emails and purchase orders?
Answer 11:
The bottom line:
My goal will be to respond ASAP to your emails and purchase orders (I.e. Within a few hours).
I will normally be able to do this, but, if not, then rest assured that I will get to you within 24 hours per my Service Level Agreement (SLA) with you! Simply exercise a little patience and we will take the next step together!
Back to Next Lessons
How do I interact with you:
Here is my interaction cycle with my students, in a little more detail:
You show an interest and use the PayPal payment gateway on the web site and pay for your next lesson directly through this payment portal. Or you may even want to purchase one or more of the UpGuitarHill song sheets (or even song sheets with backing tracks) via the PayPal gateway.
Or
You may want to deal with me directly (using my email link under Contact at the top of the web page), asking any questions you may have, until you are ready to start the course. Then you use PayPal and place an order, or you can even pay me direct using EFT instead of PayPal if you require. Simply ask me for the UpGuitarHill Banking details. The choice of how you pay is your call entirely.
Either way, my goal will be to respond ASAP (within a few hours) and I will normally be able to do this, but, if not, then rest assured that I will get to you within 24 hours!When I receive your email (either directly or via PayPal) I respond immediately via my blackberry advising you that I am aware of your email or purchase and am attending to it.
But, be aware, that I may tell you that I cannot respond immediately and (PLEASE BE PATIENT) as I will need time to respond (or to process your order). I.e. My response could take up to 24 hours.
Remember that with a guitar question I may need extra time in order to respond properly in order to ensure that I answer your questions correctly. I may also have other work and a temporarily increased work load that I need to attend to first, or I may be away from my computer. Remember that I also receive emails from all over the world and some get to me in the early hours of the morning! I currently reside at +2 GMT in the Southern Hemisphere roughly in line N to S with Paris in France so if you could be patient and realize that if I am sent an email early in the morning, I will only see your email early in the next day when I wake up.
Therefore my goal will be to respond ASAP (within a few hours) and I will normally be able to do this, but, if not, then rest assured that I will get to you within 24 hours! I will be able to communicate with you via my blackberry and will keep you in the loop as I work towards processing your order or answering any questions you may have.
I would like to automate this response but at the same time believe that a hands on approach is better. I.e. with a manual intervention with my clients I am more closely involved with all interactions that happen on the UpGutarHill site. I believe this works better where all interactions are actually between people who are trying to come together to learn the nylon string guitar.
I will then process your email by noting you (your name and email) as a student in my records and (if asked) I will give you my banking details in preparation for an EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) by you into my bank account - if you wan't to deal with me direct. Or I will process the notification of your purchase via the PayPal payment gateway (which I receive immediately from PayPal on my blackberry after your purchase). I will then register you as a student with UpGuitarHill and send you the NEXT lesson. Or you may have purchased one (or more) of the UpGuitarHill song sheets (possibly with backing tracks) which order I will also process and then send on to you via email.
Please if you are not happy with anything then please email me immediately and I will attempt to resolve any problems you may have. My intention is to work with you all the way UpGuitarHill. To do this I would require a happy student at all times.
Remember the moral of the tortoise and the hare. At UpGuitarHill we are like the tortoise and want to proceed in a systematic, sure, patient and step by step manner. Walking UPGuitarHill is the goal and we are in it for the 15 step haul. This is not about a quick hit and run. We do not support an approach that is like the hare which rushes here and there and quickly looses focus and becomes distracted. Step by Step and a Step at a Time UpGuitarHll!
Ultimately you control the pace of your involvement (and investment) into your guitar future!
Question 12:
How many lessons do you offer and how do I track my progress?
Answer 12:
The beginner UpGuitarHill course is comprised of 15 lessons or steps.
For each step or lesson (which is also broken down in to smaller steps) there is a song to learn.
In total there are 25 songs and each song, being slightly more demanding, will be used to teach new skills and reinforce existing skills for nylon string guitar. On demand I can also send each registered student a UpGuitarHillSong.mp3 file where I play through that lessons song for you - showing you how it should sound.
Video tuition is also available.
Each time a student engages the school for the next lesson they will receive a progress graph (similar to the one below) in their lesson pack. This example is for a student who has completed 4 lessons and is busy with their 5th lesson.
Question 12:
Can I feed back to you with comments and criticisms?
Answer 12:
Please do! I value all feedback! I will also always be open to any suggestions and will incorporate any improvements directly into the web or course material so that you and others can benefit. This is called continuous improvement. I see your involvement with me as critical so YOU, ME and OTHER STUDENTS can benefit as we move forward into the future. Remember that I am primarily a guitarist and web site development is an aside for me.
Question 13:
Will you disclose my information to a third party.
Answer 13:
NO! Your information sent to me is totally private between you and me. I will never disclose your information to another person. I will not forward any contact information you send to me to a 3rd person who may try to sell you another product. The only contact you will receive will be from me responding to your emails in relation to the course material on my web site.
Question 14:
I notice that images used on the web site come direct from Google.
Answer 14:
Yes. I don't want to re-invent the wheel by spending hours on something that already exists. This is what the internet stands for.
My understanding is that images found in Google are for general public consumption and are not copyright unless explicitly marked as such I.e. with watermarks etc.
Please feel free to contact me in this regard if you have a difference of opinion.
Question 15:
How do you feel about copyright? Would you mind if I give your lessons to friends of mine?
Answer 15:
Please don't give the lesson material I send you to others.
I have put in a lot of work in time and money to get this site up and running for you. Also much experience and time has been put into the UPGuitarHill lesson material. As such I would like you to respect the fact that any material I send you is for your use only.
By giving lesson material to others for free you will be undermining the UpGuitarHill site and what it stands for. You will also be doing a disfavor to the person you give the material too.
Rather, if others want to be involved, give them the web site link for the UpGuitarHill web site and let them also pay for the courses as you have done. Remember that a key ingredient in learning guitar is commitment. By taking each lesson seriously, as you have, I.e. committing to the lessons, and paying for them, new students will be serious and as such they will ultimately benefit. This is called mutual exchange and is a contract that is mutually beneficial and is entered into between the student and teacher. This is also a very important ingredient for real learning to take place!
Obviously all information in this FAQ is freely available to anyone who wants to download it. And the first four free lesson are also available to anyone if they require it. You are welcome to give these to anyone you feel would like to learn nylon guitar or refer them to the UpGuitarHill.com web site.
Question 16:
I would like to learn with you but I cannot afford your lessons. Can you help me?
Answer 16:
I want to help you learn the nylon string guitar. The lessons are priced because the program is unique in so far as I offer online assistance to you while you work through the step by step lessons UpGuitarHill. Also the higher price has been put into place so that only serious students will apply. Offering response to questions etc. via the internet also takes up my time.
If you feel that you need help with the cost of the lessons then please send me an email and put your request in writing.
If I am convinced that you have a case, and are serious about learning the guitar, then I can reply to you with an email and offer help. I.e. a reduced price.
I do understand that there are circumstances where younger students will battle to find finance because they are not yet working and they will only be able to afford a reduced amount (Remember that there must be some exchange or the program will not be taken seriously and you will not make progress). Or you may be from a country where the exchange rate between the US Dollar and your currency is punishing.
To take up this offer you will need to set up a direct payment via EFT I.e. pay me direct into my bank account in order to facilitate this special concession.
In your motivation for lower lesson rates I will reply to you with my bank account details. Using your email as a reference when you EFT I can create your account and tie your payment to the correct lesson / step UpGuitarHill.
Any Student who is from Southern Africa (where I am currently residing) for example need only pay me R35 (Thirty Five South African Rands) per lesson.
This is due to the difference in exchange rates that apply between Africa and Europe / America.
Click the folder above for your own copy of WhyUGH. (
Zipped 
pdf )