FAQ

What instruments can I learn at School Of Rock St. Paul?

School Of Rock St. Paul provides lessons in Guitar, Bass, Drums + Percussion, Keyboard + Piano, Ukulele, and Voice. 

Do I need to have previous experience with an instrument?

Absolutely not....everybody starts somewhere! School Of Rock St. Paul welcomes everyone from beginners to advanced players.

Can I just take lessons, or do I have to join a band at School Of Rock St. Paul?

School Of Rock St. Paul is a performance-based music program; ensembles are an essential part of that learning experience!

For YOUTH students: some students opt to only take lessons, which we allow for up to one full season (four months). It's also perfectly acceptable to take a break from an ensemble for up to one full season (four months). Beyond that, we require all students to be enrolled in an ensemble, which gives them the opportunity to put the skills they learn in lessons into practice!

For ADULT students, ensembles are optional (but strongly encouraged....what's the point of learning if you're not putting it into practice?).

 

Where is School Of Rock St. Paul located?

School Of Rock St. Paul is located at 244 Cleveland Ave S in St. Paul, just off the intersection of Cleveland and St. Clair. The school is next to Rebe's Play Cafe, immediately around the corner from Groveland Elementary School.

Does School Of Rock St. Paul offer a free trial lesson?

YES! School Of Rock St. Paul offers a free trial lesson, which allows students to take a tour of the school and meet with one of our Directors. That free trial is as much for us as it is for you; it gives us a chance to meet you and determine the best plan for you becoming a student with us. That determination can include a recommendation for a specific instructor, a class level, and other helpful pieces of information that will start you out on a good note no matter what your previous experience is.

Please note that determining your actual one-on-one lesson instructor is going to depend on your scheduling availability; your free trial lesson is with one of our Directors!

What does School Of Rock St. Paul cost?

At School Of Rock St. Paul, your tuition depends on what programs are the right fit for you....so if you're reading this, it's probably too early to know for sure. But it's perfectly reasonable for you to want an idea of how much it costs! We recommend calling the school during our open hours at 651.292.1917 - our enrollment director will be able to ask you a few questions and, based on your answers, give you an idea of the cost. 

As a reminder, there's no cost to come take a free trial lesson and tour of the school....so if you're interested in that, you can click right here to fill out a form and we'll reach out to get you on the books asap!

Do I have to perform if I'm a student at School Of Rock St. Paul?

Technically, no....all School Of Rock St. Paul students can participate in group rehearsals and choose not to also participate in the performances. But maybe a better way to think of it is this: by the time the show comes around, you've already invested a TON of time and energy learning to play....why not take that last (totally awesome) step?

Performing on stage can be scary. It's a very vulnerable experience, and it's one that's fairly unique....there really aren't a lot of similar activities to compare it to, so everybody is nervous the first time (heck, most people are nervous every time). But the benefits are CRAZY....performing doesn't just give you an opportunity to play music in front of others, it teaches you how to present with confidence and authority. An experienced performer can command a room regardless of whether it's a ballroom or a board room; that's not a natural skill, it's a learned one. Plus: your group is counting on you!

I want to learn music but I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

Say less. At School Of Rock St. Paul, our Instructors and Directors are here to help no matter where you are in your musical journey. If you're just starting out (or you're thinking about starting out), we can help you with every single piece of the puzzle, from setting up lessons to making a plan for ensembles and beyond. We can even recommend instruments for you, order them, and assemble and check them before you pick them up. Don't be afraid to lean on us....it's what we're here for!

Do you only play rock music at School Of Rock St. Paul?

Heck. No. While we love our name, it doesn't represent every single thing we do. Students at School Of Rock St. Paul study rock, pop, latin, jazz, folk, and in some cases even classical music....we believe that the best musicians are the ones who get to explore! Whatever your musical passion is, our Instructors and Directors can help to both hone it and expand it. 

Is School Of Rock easier than other music schools?

No. At School Of Rock St. Paul, our approach is simply different from other lesson programs because of the order in which we prioritize things. We believe that music, first and foremost, exists to bring joy; you shouldn't have to study for months or years before you get to experience the joy of playing a song. We use a focus on repertoire (our SongFirst method) to foster a students desire to learn music theory and technique.

When you learned to speak, did you learn the alphabet first....or words? The fact that you learned some words didn't stop you from learning the alphabet....in fact, come to think of it, you had to know quite a few words to get a handle on the alphabet. On that same note (pun absolutely intended), learning a song is oftentimes what gives a scale context and enables you to retain it.

None of this is off-the-wall quackery; this is a learning model that's been reflected in schools around the world (musical and otherwise) for thousands of years. We're just really good at it, that's all.