The David Harsh Guitar Studio: Policies (2010)

25 minute lesson: $30.00
55 minute lesson: $60.00

The purpose of these policies is to ensure the best possible experience for both the Student and David.  Please read them carefully.

Please click here to view a PDF version of David's Student Policies.
GETTING STARTED

Student Skill Level Demonstration
In order to best serve his students, David needs to know their skill level and whether there will be a mutual fit for lessons.  For this reason, prospective Students are asked to a)  submit an informal sample of their guitar playing in audio or video format, or b) play in real time for David in person or via Skype (or even over the phone.)  Audio files can be in the form of an mp3 or CD-rom in the mail, and video files can be in the form of YouTube or Tangle links, or even a DVD-rom in the mail.  Click here to e-mail materials and links.  Hard-copy materials can be mailed to:  David Harsh Ministries, Attn: Private Lessons, P.O. Box 895, Marysville, WA 98270. 

Optional Pre-Lesson Meeting
If desired, the Prospective Student may schedule a 10-minute conversation (either on the phone or in person) with David to ask questions about lessons.  Before calling or meeting with David, the Prospective Student is encouraged to first review all material on the Guitar Lessons link on this website.  A 10-minute meeting can be arranged by e-mailing Whitney Harsh - please click here. 

Waiting List
Based on the available time slots in David's schedule, the Prospective Student will first submit a playing sample, and if accepted, will request his/her preferred meeting time.  If this time slot is not available, he/she may opt for another available slot, or may be placed on a waiting list for his/her preferred time slot.  The slot will be made available on a first come, first served basis.  If and when the slot becomes available, Whitney will contact the Prospective Student once via e-mail - and once via phone to notify them of the available slot.  After one week without a response, the slot will be offered to the next student on the waiting list.

Single Lessons
Scheduling priority will be given to students who are committed to weekly lessons.  However, if a student desires a single lesson, the Prospective student may approach Whitney after viewing David's online schedule.  (Submitting an audio or video file is still required, unless an exception is made by David.)

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

General Policy
1. The Student is expected to be on time for lessons.  If the Student arrives late, David can only teach for as long as the student’s time slot permits. 

2. The Student is asked to come alone to lessons.  In other words, the Student’s spouse, significant other, children, friends, or pets are not permitted.  The only exception would be if the Student requires a service dog.

Practicing Policy
David wishes for you to receive the maximum benefit from your lessons with him.  He believes that practice is crucial to your progress. 

1. The Student will be assigned weekly tasks which include technique (method book assignment, theory studies, scales, etc.) and where applicable, repertoire (a song or instrumental piece, perhaps by a favorite guitarist or singer/songwriter.)  Technique must be practiced before repertoire. 

2. The Student is responsible for purchasing mutually agreed upon educational material (method books, songbooks, charts, etc.) so as to have them available during lessons.

3. Together, David and the Student will determine a goal for total weekly minutes to be practiced, with a minimum of 30 minutes per day, for a week of 6 days with one day off (the Student may choose to average this out, with the total equaling at least 3 hours, as long as practice is not reduced to fewer than 3 sessions.)  Daily, focused practice is strongly recommended, preferably without interruption.

4. Daily totals for minutes practiced must be captured in a weekly practice log and totaled up at the end of the week, signed with the Student’s initials.  David will keep a record of the Student’s weekly totals.  Only practice that is documented in the practice log will be recorded by David. 

5. If more than 4 consecutive weeks of practice time goals are not met, David and the Student will discuss a solution.  At this point, there will be an additional 2-week period of evaluation.  If practice time goals are not met within those 2 weeks, lessons will be discontinued. 

6. Once lessons have begun, a brief evaluation assessment will take place after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months as to Student progress and Student/Instructor compatibility.

Audio Recordings and Printed Material
Students are permitted to record lessons in audio format only, and for their exclusive use only.  This includes Skype lessons.  Making recordings of lessons available to others is prohibited.  Also, David will periodically provide the Student with charts and worksheets he has created.  These are not for duplication or distribution.  Thank you for honoring David's work.
PAYMENT & SCHEDULING

Payment for Lessons
We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards.  Checks are to be made payable to David Harsh Ministries.  Lessons are to be paid in full at the beginning of the month, for however many teaching days are in that month (4 or sometimes 5.)

Schedule Conflicts
Lessons are subject to David's availability based on his concert touring calendar commitments.  In the unlikely event that a performance is scheduled for David on short notice during the day or evening the Student is scheduled to have a pre-paid lesson, the Student’s tuition for that lesson will be pro-rated (credited) onto the next month’s lesson bill.  David will notify the Student of any schedule conflicts in his calendar with the earliest possible notice.

Short-Term Cancellation Policy
1. If, during a month, David is notified that the Student cannot attend the first lesson of the next month, payment for the next month (less the fee for the first week’s lesson) can be brought to the last lesson of the previous month.  Otherwise, a check can be mailed to: David Harsh Ministries, P.O. Box 895, Marysville, WA 98270, so as to arrive the week of the first lesson.  The Student may also call our office at (360) 659-0137 to have their card charged for the payment.

2. There will be no crediting of lessons missed, and no make-up lessons scheduled.  David has set the Student’s time slot aside specifically for that student.  The Student may notify David prior to the first lesson of the month of a forthcoming absence during that month.  Under those circumstances, only payment for the number of remaining lessons is required.

Long-Term Cancellation Policy
1. David must be notified by the Student more than 2 weeks prior to what will be the final lesson.  This is to allow enough notice for David to schedule a new student in the time slot. 

2. If the Student only first notifies David during the week of the final lesson, a check must be paid for 2 more weeks of lessons, and 1 week of lessons with 1 week’s notice.