Formally established in 1993 by local University of Idaho Hampton School of Music graduates, GTR's goal is to provide quality, affordable music instruction in a friendly and relaxed professional atmosphere. From Renaissance to Rock, we offer instruction in a variety of styles. Attention is given to helping the student develop sound technical skills, an understanding of how music works (theory), as well as learn and improve musical interpretation.

1. Guitar Teaching Methods: Learn the right way, the first time, from a qualified teacher. Many guitar students just try to play by ear, have a friend show them a few chords, learn off the internet, or try to learn on their own from a book, often giving up because of frustration or losing interest and motivation.

A professional teacher and musician can help you plan the fastest route to your guitar-playing goals and teach you the proper technique along the way. They can guide you in the best choice for a guitar book and customize your lessons according to your interests and learning style. With a qualified instructor at GTR Music Studio you'll be strumming real chords and making music from day one as you learn to really read music and play from the 3 standard notation systems.

2. Guitar Styles: There are so many different guitars available it can be overwhelming knowing where to begin. The age of the musician and style of music you want to play can help you decide which type of guitar to buy or rent. Here is a brief overview of the most common types of guitars and the style of music they create.

Classical Acoustic Guitar: Also called the Spanish guitar, it has nylon strings and is used for classical, pop, folk, Latin and jazz.

This is a great type of guitar for young beginners because the nylon strings have lighter tension and are easier on the fingers. Classical guitars are small bodied and more uniform in shape which many find more comfortable to hold. It has a wider neck and flat fingerboard. This design lets you play fingerstyle where the strings are plucked to play the melody. You can also play chords and bass lines to accompany the melody.

Acoustic (Folk) Guitar: Also called a dreadnaught or steel-string guitar, it is used for pop, country, ragtime, blues, and rock.

This type of guitar is best suited for older beginners and adults because the tension of steel strings requires stronger fingers to play and because the body shape is a bit larger than a classical guitar. Beginners may want to start with light or light-medium gauge strings, then work their way up to medium or heavy gauge strings as your fingers grow stronger and tougher. Cutaway Acoustics are a style of dreadnaught that have a part of the body cut away to let you reach frets in the higher registers on the neck for more advanced playing.

Acoustic/Electric Guitar: This is an acoustic guitar that has pick-ups built into the instrument. It can either be played acoustically or plugged into an amplifier.

Electric Guitar: these come in a few different body styles; solid or hollow and have pick-ups.

Because electric guitars don't have (or have a limited) sound box, they are too soft to be heard except for individual practice in a fairly quiet environment. They are designed to be plugged into and played with an amplifier. A 10-30 watt amp should work for home practice. The sound can be enhanced and altered with a variety of effects pedals. Comes in single and double cut-away styles.

3. Guitar Sizes: Most adults can use full or standard size guitars. Half and ¾ size guitars are available for children. Arm reach determines the best size guitar for your comfort. Our age & height chart will help guide your size selection:

To Rent Guitars: We have children and adult size guitars available for monthly rental here at the studio.

To Buy Guitars: Keeney Brothers and Guitars' Friend in Moscow, and Atom Heart in Pullman have a great selection. While you can find instruments at places like Costco, Target, Hastings you'll get a considerably greater quality instrument for not much more by purchasing from a music store that deals in instruments exclusively. You'll get an instrument that is better built, easier to keep in tune, parts won't wear out prematurely and if they do they're under warranty so they can usually be replaced for FREE or at a very minimal cost within the first year.

4. Accessories: Things that are good to have -- case, neck strap, tuner, metronome, music stand, picks, replacement string(s).

A Guitar Case will keep your instrument protected going to and from lessons and when stored at your home. They are available in soft (also called “gig bags”) and hard case styles. Some guitar packages include them or they can be purchased for $50-100.

Neck Straps attach to the button on the bottom and top of the neck of the guitar. Some guitar packages include them or they can be purchased for $5-25.

Tuners help you keep you guitar in tune. The device “listens” to the sound of your string when plucked and then tells you to tune up or down until the pitch is right in tune. These range in price from $12-35 for your basic models.

Metronomes help you develop your timing so that you learn to play at a steady pulse. They can be adjusted to many different speeds, from slow to very fast. Next to having a case for your guitar this is THE most important accessory for a beginner to have.

Music Stands help keep your music or book in an upright position so you can easily read it. You can make a simple one out of a file folder, use a recipe book holder on a table or purchase one for $15-50.

Picks & Strings are usually in stock at your lesson studio or local music store. They range from .25 cents to $1 per pick. Individual strings run $2-10 each.

Need HELP choosing the right guitar? We are happy to assist you in your purchase. This service is FREE to all students who register for lessons at our studio. We take your needs and musical preferences into consideration to help you find the right style guitar that fits YOU best.

Already have a guitar but not sure its' suited for you or your child's lessons? We are happy to look it over and make recommendations.

GTR Music Studio ~ Helping YOU  make music.

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