F.A.Q.
Legacy Park, Gillespie Building
520 South Columbia Dr, Decatur, GA 30030
→ Google Map Link
Each class is an hour long and lasts eight (8) weeks*, unless specified otherwise. We also offer half-courses and workshops that are shorter in length; tuition may vary. Daytime and evening classes are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Tuition is $175 per class per 8-week term.
* Classes affected by a declared holiday are longer in length (70 minutes) for the 7 weeks available for the class, allowing for the same instructional time as the full 8-week classes. These holidays include Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day.
Our beginner instrument classes are designed with the true beginner in mind and to be repeated until you are comfortable with the basic skills. If you’ve never played the instrument before, this is definitely where you want to start.
You will most likely find people in the class who have been in the class the term before and are retaking the beginner class. This is exactly what we want to happen! Learning and reinforcing the basic skills is essential to progress.
So, don’t be intimidated by students who are “better” than you. Practice as much as you’re able, but don’t worry about “catching up”—you aren’t behind! They are merely going over the basic skills to be sure they have them down before moving up a level. You will be in this same position the second time you take the class. And then you’ll be able to help the newbies out, just like the repeating students will most likely help you!
Absolutely! The classes are designed to be repeated. We’ll vary the repertoire and reinforce the same skills. Take the same class as many times as you need to feel comfortable with the skills before moving up to the next level.
You’ll need your instrument (see below for recommended places to buy or rent [see note below]), and a tuner or tuner app. Guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and bluegrass banjo players will want to bring picks. Guitar, ukulele, and banjo players will also want to bring a capo.
Many students benefit from recording the teacher as the skills and tunes are demonstrated, so feel free to bring a recording device, like your phone.
Second Half is an informal gathering of teachers and students that provides an opportunity for them to share, make music together, and learn from each other. Whatever the format may be, jam, singalong, or impromptu get-together, students are encouraged to join in. The level of expertise on your instrument doesn’t matter. Come and strum chords, sing along, improvise melodies, or simply tap your feet. While the class is devoted to studying a chosen topic or instrument, the second half is an opportunity to share that learning with the community.
We currently have an in-person jam in between our Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday daytime classes. Join us at the Gillespie Building to play a bit at lunch! We’ll get underway at 11:30 am. Bring a lunch, bring an instrument, and enjoy the afternoon!
Second Half sessions are included each term, at no extra cost, for all students registered in any other class. If you’re not registered in any other classes, however, you can register for just the Second Half by clicking here!
You sure can! Second Half sessions are included each term, at no extra cost, for all students registered in any other class. If you’re not registered in any other classes, however, you can register for just the Second Half by clicking here!
We certainly do! Bluegrass to Old-Time, Blues to Irish to Sing-Along Sessions, there’s something for everyone! Keep an eye on our Events listings to see what’s coming up, consider subscribing to our newsletter to get the information in your inbox, and (important!) take a look at our guide Know Your Jam. We’re looking forward to seeing you!
We recommend you rent or buy your instrument from a reputable dealer who will set up your instrument so that it will be easy to play. Below are a few shops recommended by our instructors. Please call ahead to see which merchants rent or buy or both. (Links open in a new tab/window).
Maple Street Guitars
3199 Maple Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-231-5214
Voss Violins
Ground Floor Suite 104
Ponce Spring Lofts
B 620 Glen Iris
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-876-8617 – call for an appointment
Ronald Sachs Violin – Avondale Estates
100 N. Avondale Rd
Unit A
Avondale Estates, GA 30002
678-974-7740
Fit Fiddles
113 North Broad Street (inside the Mercantile)
Monroe, GA 30655
Atlanta Strings
229 W Pike St
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-338-5446
Vintage Music
42 Public Square S
Dahlonega, GA 30533
John Grimm
706-864-2682
Music Go Round
3675 Satellite Blvd
Duluth, GA 30096
770-931-9190
Earthshaking Music
648 McDonough Blvd Se
Atlanta, GA 30315
404-577-0707
Uke Republic
5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd.
STE 250
Austell, GA 30106
770-235-6606 – call ahead to make sure they’re open
Balalaikas – contact David Cooper (dcoop80@hotmail.com)
Online:
Rockin’ Ron’s Music (harmonicas)
Our instructors can take a look at your instrument to see is it’s playable. If you’d like someone to look at it before the beginning of class, email us at info@frankhamiltonschool.org to make an appointment for someone to examine the instrument.
Yes! We have a wonderful program on Sunday afternoons designed specifically for grades K-8, in two separate classes according to grade level. Each 45-minute class includes roughly 30 minutes of chosen instrument instruction (fiddle, guitar, or ukulele) and 15 minutes of “jamming” — playing together with the other classes. See all the details here.
Many of our other classes are in the evening, and the students are usually adults. Children who would be comfortable with adult classmates are welcome, but if your child is pre-teen, we ask that you be present during class.