FAQ
Questions often answered by CMS support staff over the last 23 years.
- How does CMS choose teachers?
- Where are teachers located?
- At what age can my child study music?
- What instrument should my child or I study?
- How long and how frequent are the lessons?
- Am I obligated to stay with the teacher I have chosen?
- Do you have recitals?
- How much do lessons cost?
- What is your mailing address?
- Can I pay with a credit card?
- May I pay for each lesson as we go?
- My child has lost interest and/or is not practicing. Should we take a break?
- I need to cancel my child's lesson for today and can't find the teacher's phone number.
- My question is not listed here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CMS choose teachers?
CMS standards for teachers are very high. The interview process is lengthy & extensive, consisting of several face-to-face meetings. The majority of teachers have a degree in music with a vast teaching and/or performance background. Many have had professional recording careers in addition to their teaching. Many have teaching credentials with the school districts within the State of California. Every applicant is thoroughly screened. Well over 5000 potential instructors were interviewed to get the pool of 350+ teachers. CMS will find the right teacher for you.
Back to TopWhere are teachers located?
Instructors will teach lessons in your home or in studios located throughout Southern California: San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Locations | Back to TopAt what age can my child study music?
Most children can start private lessons as young as 4 or 5 years old, depending on their attention span, interest, and developmental readiness. Some instruments, such as guitars, brass, or woodwinds, are more tailored to students 7 or 8 years old and older, mostly because of the size of the instrument and physical development of the student. We teach students of all ages, including adults.
Contact CMS | Back to TopWhat instrument should my child or I study?
If you or your child do not have a predisposition toward a particular instrument, it is recommended that all students begin with piano/keyboard in order to develop a solid foundation of music theory and technique. It has been proven that if a student seriously studies piano for five or more years, they can more easily transpose that knowledge toward playing other instruments. If you or your child have an interest in a specific instrument, and you/he/she are/is physically able to play that instrument, then by all means learn whichever instrument you like.
Back to TopHow long and how frequent are the lessons?
Beginning children (4 to 5 years of age) should start with 30 minute weekly or bi-weekly lessons. Beginning children (6 to 8 years of age) may start with either 30 or 45 minute weekly or bi-weekly lessons depending on experience and developmental readiness. All other beginning students including adults should start with 45 or 60 minute weekly or bi-weekly lessons. Since the lessons are designed around each student, your teacher may recommend a longer lesson as the student improves, or multiple lessons within the same week. It is also recommended that students practice the same amount of time daily as the length of their lesson.
Back to TopAm I obligated to stay with the teacher I have chosen?
In a word - No; however CMS has over a 98% success rate in matching students and teachers. More times than not, the student and teacher develop a rapport that will continue for years. At times a change is necessary, when you feel you need a different teacher, or want to study a different instrument. It simply requires a call to highly qualified & informative CMS staff coordinators, and you will get a new instructor right away. Of course, if you or a teacher move, you can be placed with another qualified instructor in your area. The connection between a teacher and student is the most important ingredient, in developing a meaningful and successful educational partnership.
Contact CMS | Back to TopDo you have recitals?
CMS offers many Formal Recitals, Mini Recitals, Honors Recitals and Music Clubs - totaling over 60 per year. Your teacher will inform you in advance of the times and dates. All CMS recitals are free to both participants and audience members, but are not mandatory. Recitals and performances serve as great motivation, and an opportunity to demonstrate progress. Parents, relatives, and friends are all welcome. Programs and refreshments are provided at the Formal Recitals as well.
Recitals & Music Clubs | Back to TopHow much do lessons cost?
Lesson tuition varies depending on the length, location, and type of lessons. Family discounts are also available. Please complete the music lesson inquiry, or call for more information.
Contact CMS | Back to TopWhat is your mailing address and phone number?
California Music Studios
P.O. Box 130220
Carlsbad, CA 92013-0220
(760) 632-7577 or (800) 227-6222.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. Credit card payments are preferred. Accepted cards are Visa or MasterCard, or debit cards with those logos. Simply call CMS toll free at (800) 227-6222. An automatic recurring monthly charge/debit can be set up. If necessary call in payment monthly when you receive your invoice. Please call for more details.
Contact CMS | Back to TopMay I pay for each lesson as I go?
No, sorry. Teachers need to be reasonably certain of their income. Lessons are billed monthly, for the calendar month, and include four lessons in each month. Several times a year, there is a fifth lesson in a month. This is reserved as a make-up lesson to be used at the discretion of the instructor if one of the four lessons in a normal month are missed. Tuition is billed one month in advance, and is due on the 25th of the previous month; for example, tuition for the month of June would be due on May 25th.
Back to TopMy child has lost interest and/or is not practicing. Should we take a break?
This is a common question. Occasionally a child, for various reasons, is not willing to practice and it becomes a battle of wills. This is extremely common, and will happen in every budding musician's life from time to time. These plateaus are important to work through. A helpful article is "Practice Tips" taken from a CMS newsletter. Feel free to print a copy for easy reference.
"Practice Tips" | Back to TopI need to cancel my child's lesson for today and can't find my teacher's phone number.
Call CMS toll free at (800) 227-6222, you'll be given your teacher's phone number, and CMS will also call them for you as well. You will need to call the teacher 24 hours in advance of the lesson, in order for the teacher to schedule a makeup lesson. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be forfeited.
Contact CMS | Back to TopMy question is not listed.
Call CMS toll free at (800) 227-6222. Any one of the experienced CMS staff is more than happy to assist you. CMS is open seven days a week for your convenience.
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