Choosing the Right Guitar Size

For children, guitar size should be based on height and physical comfort, not just age. A properly sized instrument is easier to hold, easier to play, and helps students develop good technique from the beginning.

General size guidelines:

• ½ Size — Ages 5–8, approx. 4’–4’5”
  

• ¾ Size — Ages 8–12, approx. 4’6”–5’ tall
  

• Full Size — Ages 12+, approx. 5’ tall and up
  
  

Height is usually the best indicator. Many pre-teens do best on a ¾-size guitar, which allows smaller hands to fret notes more comfortably while maintaining good posture and control.

If you’re unsure which size to choose, we’re happy to help.

Why We Recommend Nylon-String Guitars

For beginners, we recommend nylon-string (classical-style) guitars.

Nylon-string guitars:

• Are easier on young fingers
  

• Support relaxed hand position and healthy technique
  

• Are ideal for learning fingerstyle guitar, which builds strong musical foundations
  

• Can still be played with both fingers and a pick
  
  

Steel-string guitars are often harder on young hands and can make early learning more difficult. Nylon-string guitars make playing more comfortable and help students progress with confidence.

Recommended Beginner Instruments

We recommend reliable, playable student instruments that stay in tune and support good technique. The most important factor is not brand or price — it’s that the guitar is properly sized and playable.

Yamaha Student Classical Guitars

• CGS102AII — ½ size
  

• CGS103AII — ¾ size
  

• C40II — Full size
  

Córdoba Student Classical Guitars

• C1M — ½ size
  

• C1M — ¾ size
  

• C3M — Full size
  

These models are excellent budget-friendly options commonly used in music education settings. Other nylon-string guitars of similar quality are also acceptable.

Required Accessories

To support healthy posture and productive home practice, students should also have:

• A footstool (for proper playing position)
  

• A music stand (for home practice)
  

Both items are inexpensive and widely available online.

Need Help Choosing?

If you have questions about sizing, instruments, or setup, we’re happy to help guide you before purchasing. The right instrument makes a meaningful difference in a student’s early success.

While we do not offer trial classes due to the cohort-style setup of the class, we do offer pop-ins, where prospective students and their families can observe a class in session and speak to the instructor.

Registration is simple and completed online.

1. Choose a class
   Visit our Programs pages to find the class that best fits your child’s age and experience level. Each class is clearly labeled by age and level to make placement easy.

2. Complete membership signup
   On your program page, there will be a button to purchase membership.

3. Secure your spot
   Enrollment is rolling and space is limited. Submitting a membership purchase reserves your child’s place in a small, cohort-based class.

4. Receive your welcome email
   After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with:

   • What to bring (instrument, footstool, music stand, etc.)

   • Helpful tips for getting started

Not sure which class to choose?
We’re happy to help with placement. If your child has prior experience—or if you’re unsure where to start—contact us before registering and we’ll guide you to the best option.

Our group classes use rolling enrollment, meaning students may join at multiple points during the year. At the same time, instruction is cohort-based: students learn alongside a consistent group of peers 

Each class functions as a learning cohort that progresses together toward shared musical goals. New students are added thoughtfully and only when they can integrate smoothly into the group.

Most students spend approximately 4–6 months in a level, depending on age, practice habits, and prior experience.

Music literacy—reading notes, rhythms, TAB, and chord symbols—is an important skill. We teach it carefully and progressively.

At Beverly Guitar Academy:

• Literacy supports musicianship
  

• Literacy never replaces listening and playing
  

Students learn to hear music first, then connect that understanding to notation. This leads to better rhythm, better tone, and real musical confidence.

Because music is a language, students need to use it.

In group classes, students:

• Play together every week
  

• Develop strong rhythm and timing
  

• Learn to listen and adjust
  

• Build confidence in a social, supportive setting
  

This makes private lessons more effective later and helps students feel like real musicians from the start.

Because our group classes are cohort-based, consistent attendance helps students progress together, build musical skills, and feel confident playing as a group. We strongly encourage families to attend their regular weekly class whenever possible.

We understand that occasional absences are unavoidable.

Group Class Absences

• Tuition reserves a student’s place in their assigned cohort.
  

• Missed group classes are not automatically refundable.
  

• Families do not need to notify us for occasional absences, though we appreciate advance notice when possible.
  
  

Make-Up Classes

• Make-up classes may be scheduled when space is available in another class of the same age range and appropriate level.
  

• Make-ups are offered as a courtesy, not a guarantee, and depend on space and schedule availability.
  

• Make-ups must be used within the same enrollment period and may not be carried forward indefinitely.
  

• Students may not attend a make-up class that would disrupt the learning level or cohesion of another cohort.
  
  

Private Lessons

• Private lessons follow a separate cancellation policy, provided at enrollment.
  

• Group class make-ups may not be exchanged for private lesson credit.
  
  

Our Goal

Our priority is to maintain a stable, supportive cohort experience while offering reasonable flexibility for families when conflicts arise.

We don’t offer pay-per-lesson pricing for group classes, and there’s a reason for that.

At Beverly Guitar Academy, students aren’t just dropping in for isolated lessons—they’re joining a learning community. Our classes are cohort-based, meaning students progress together week to week, building rhythm, reading skills, technique, and confidence as a group. Consistent attendance is what makes that work.

Monthly enrollment:

• Reserves your child’s spot in a small, stable class

• Allows us to plan a clear, progressive curriculum

• Creates a supportive ensemble environment where students feel comfortable playing together

• Keeps tuition predictable for families

Pay-per-lesson models work for casual or drop-in activities, but they don’t support the kind of musical growth we’re aiming for. Music is a language—students need regular, consistent practice using it with others to truly learn it.

What about private lessons?
Private lessons are also billed monthly. This ensures consistent weekly instruction and meaningful progress. For families who need flexibility, we’re happy to talk through scheduling options, but we don’t offer single, one-off private lessons as a standard option.

If you’re unsure whether guitar is the right fit, we encourage you to observe a class when available, or reach out with questions before enrolling. We’re committed to helping families make the right choice—before lessons begin.

Monthly Tuition & Enrollment Cancellation

• All tuition is billed monthly.

• To cancel enrollment, families must provide written notice at least 14 days before the next billing cycle.

• Tuition already paid is non-refundable once a billing cycle has begun.

• Enrollment and billing continue until cancellation notice is received.

Yes! Bass and electric guitar lessons are available on a private lesson basis. Please visit the private lessons page or contact us for more information.