Why Buy Your Guitar at a Local Music Store?

One size does NOT fit all when it comes to instruments. They are made out of organic materials, so there can be noticeable differences even between “identical” guitars. Holding it and hearing it is essential.

Thousands of online choices increase the chances of getting something cheaply made and difficult to play. Nothing is more disheartening than trying to learn to plan an instrument that is making your fingers hurt.  Get help with more than just the instrument- an expert will help you get all the necessary accessories and give you priceless advice on how to get playing and keep playing.

We are only one of two communities in Washington DC that has a neighborhood music store. ing your local small businesses is the only way to keep this unique asset in the neighborhood.

Three questions to ask when buying your first guitar

1. What are your goals for this instrument? Do you want to play a song and sing along? Do you want to learn techniques and scales? This will help you, and our staff, understand where you want to go in your musical journey.
2. Does it feel good to hold? Guitars come in a variety of shapes, including Dreadnought, Classical, Parlor and OM. They all fit differently against the human body and each human body is unique. Take the time to find what feels comfortable for you and you will be surprised how often you will want to pick up your instrument and play!
3. Do you like how it looks and how it sounds? Buying a guitar is also an emotional decision! Something pretty is going to be much more fun to pick up and play than a dusty old guitar you found in an attic. Various wood types like spruce, mahogany, and cedar affect the tone and appearance of the guitar.

You are going to have a much easier time answering these questions by going to a music store instead of trying to sort through thousands of options online. Music on the Hill’s staff is standing by to help you find your forever guitar, at discounted holiday prices.

Keep Your Kid on a Musical Journey

Many kids talk a big game about wanting to learn an instrument and then when the time comes to practice at home, or even showing up for lessons, the foundation starts to crumble and the will to rock begins to fade. So how can we keep our kids on the right track and stick with it? Follow these recommendations from our teaching staff.

1. “Keep the instrument visible. If it sits in the case at home it is 99% more likely to only see daylight at our lesson. Seeing the instrument daily in the open is more likely to peak the interest of students and thus more likely to practice!”- Knox E., Guitar/Piano
2. “Set a practice timer. Even five minutes to start can make a huge difference in establishing a routine. Set your timer and stick to it! If you want to keep playing after it goes off, by all means, but create a simple, realistic goal for yourself.” – Chelsea W., Piano
3. “Feel free to bang and make noise that might not sound very musical. Children don’t really know how to play instruments and when they get a bit rough, as children often do, parents can be discouraging. I say let the kids make noise and let them discover the right and wrong way to make music. It keeps the process fun and helps the child feel like they are in control of their musical journey.”- Brendan L. Guitar/Ukulele
4. “Practice having a short memory. Mistakes will happen and they can be frustrating and make you want to rip your hair out sometimes. That’s normal and everyone goes through that process. Keep going and practice not being discouraged by your mistakes.” Rachel P. Piano/Voice
5. “Stay open minded and curious about all things music! You never know how or when or what is going to resonate with you or when things will click in your brain so constant exposure to new sounds and songs will keep the learning process exciting.” Brian F. Saxophone/Flute/Clarinet/Piano

Music on the Hill is located at 801 D St. NE. Visit their website at www.musiconthehill.com.