Rock Dojo After-School FAQ
Welcome to the Rock Dojo After-School Program! Whether you’re a new parent or a returning one, this FAQ answers your most common questions about guitars, classes, curriculum, and what makes Rock Dojo a one-of-a-kind music education experience for kids.
Jump to:
→ Who Is This For? | → About the Instructors |→ Curriculum & Philosophy | → Guitars and Gear | → Monthly Membership | → Miscellaneous → | Online Course
Who Is This Program For?
What size guitar does my child need?
Absolutely! The Rock Dojo is designed for elementary students, especially those in grades 1–6. However, motivated 7th graders are also welcome as long as they’re comfortable participating with younger students.
What if my child is a complete beginner?
Perfect! Rock Dojo makes learning guitar fun and accessible for kids of any experience level. Beginners thrive in our system thanks to a combination of hands-on classes, take-home materials, and access to our online course.
What if my child already plays guitar?
The Rock Dojo offers a flexible curriculum with multiple levels of achievement. From white to black belt, our program supports students through up to five years of serious guitar study. Advanced students are encouraged to take on leadership roles and tackle greater challenges.
Who should NOT sign up for Rock Dojo?
The only requirement is a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Students who are unwilling to participate or uninterested in learning guitar may not be a good fit.
About the Instructors
Who teaches Rock Dojo?
The program is taught by Brian and Sophie Parham, professional musicians and award-winning educators. They founded Rock Dojo in 2015, bringing more than a decade of experience helping kids unlock their creative potential through music.
Do you teach classical guitar?
Not exactly. While many students use nylon-string acoustic guitars (sometimes called classical guitars), Rock Dojo is rooted in rock music traditions like AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden—not Bach or Beethoven. We focus on modern, high-energy music that gets kids excited to practice.
Curriculum & Philosophy
What is the belt system?
Students advance through five belt levels — white, yellow, green, red, and black — similar to martial arts. Each level includes a mix of technical skills, musical missions, and opportunities to earn badges and collectible cards.
What are the badges and cards?
Badges reward students for completing musical missions, while collectible cards motivate them by showing the link between effort and achievement. Together, they strengthen the connection between lessons, the comic storyline, and each student’s personal progress.
What’s the comic about?
Our exclusive comic ties everything together: characters, lessons, missions, and music. It adds storytelling, excitement, and meaning to the Rock Dojo experience.
Will my child learn real songs and riffs?
Yes! From the very first lesson, students play real music using proper technique. We teach power chords, open-string riffs, rock classics, and original music aligned with the student’s level.
Will my child learn to read music?
Students learn to read guitar tablature (TAB) and chord diagrams, the essential tools for guitarists. We do not teach students how to read standard musical notation.
Will my child want to practice?
That’s the goal! Our story-driven, reward-based system is designed to motivate practice through missions, recognition, and a clear sense of progression. Many kids drag their parents to class instead of the other way around!
Our son just finished his first term at Rock Dojo and absolutely loved it! He had no real musical experience coming in, but thanks to Brian he’s taken a real interest in guitar and music in general—and is fired up for the next term!
— Steve Lank
Guitars and Gear
Does my child need a guitar for class?
Yes. Every student needs a guitar to participate. If you don’t own one, rentals are available (see below), or you can buy one locally.
Can I rent a guitar from Rock Dojo?
Yes, we offer a limited number of guitars for rent:
- $40 rental fee + $40 refundable deposit
- Students must return the guitar at the end of the term
- Rental does not include a carrying case
If rentals are unavailable, we recommend:
If you’re interested in renting a guitar, feel free to reach out via our Contact Us page.
What size guitar does my child need?
Choosing the right size guitar is important for comfort and playability. Here’s a quick guide:
- 1/4 size – Ages 4–6 (about 3’3”–3’9” tall)
- 1/2 size – Ages 5–8 (about 3’10”–4’5” tall)
- 3/4 size – Ages 8–12 (about 4’6”–4’11” tall)
- Full size – Ages 12+ (5’+ tall)
Tip: If your child is between sizes, choose the smaller guitar, as it’s usually easier to handle and more fun to play.
Should we get an acoustic or an electric guitar?
Both work great, but here are some tips:
- Most beginners start with nylon-string acoustic guitars — easier on the fingers
- Avoid steel-string acoustics — the high tension makes them harder to play
- Motivated students often upgrade to electric guitars after a few terms
Which specific guitars and amps do you recommend?
Yes! For a great budget-friendly set up:
- Guitar: Squier Mini Stratocaster
- Amp: Boss Katana Mini
This combo delivers great tone, playability, and long-term value.
Can my child use a Loog guitar for Rock Dojo classes?
No. Loog guitars are great for young beginners at home, but are considered toys compared to six-string guitars. Our curriculum requires full six-string guitars to ensure students learn proper technique and musical fundamentals.
Monthly Memberships
How does the membership model work?
Rock Dojo operates on a monthly membership basis. Feel free to join or cancel at any time. There are no long-term commitments. Membership renews automatically each month throughout the school year unless canceled.
What’s included in the membership?
Your monthly membership gives your child access to:
- Weekly in-person guitar classes
- Full access to the Rock Dojo online course (a $249 value)
- Student belts, badges, and collectible cards
- A printed student handbook, colored wristbands, and a certificate of completion
- An exclusive comic story that ties lessons, badges, and cards into one inspiring musical adventure
How does billing work?
- Pay monthly: Membership auto-renews during the school year
- No payments during summer: The final charge is in May, unless canceled earlier
- No refunds after payment is processed
How do I cancel my membership?
If you would like to cancel, please reach out to us via the Contact Us page at least one week before your next billing date. This stops future payments, and your membership will end at the end of the current month.
All other questions
Can students join mid-term?
Yes! Thanks to our online course and flexible structure, students can join in at any time and catch up quickly.
What happens if my child misses a class?
No problem. Students can use the online course to catch up at home, and the badge system allows for flexible pacing.
What happens if school is canceled (e.g., weather)?
If class is canceled due to school closure, we will schedule a makeup session on Zoom.
Want to Learn at Home?
Can’t make it to our after-school program? No problem.
The Rock Dojo Online Guitar Course gives your child everything they need to get started at home:
- Step-by-step video lessons
- Printable handbooks and practice guides
- Backing tracks and audio play-alongs
- Certificates of Completion
- Designed specifically for elementary-aged beginners
Whether you’re homeschooling, looking for a weekend activity, or want to spark a new passion, the Rock Dojo online course turns screen time into practice time.
Rock Dojo lessons online have been a great experience for my son. He’s been able to progress from a beginner to intermediate… learning fun songs that he recognizes and get him excited about playing. The online lessons are great!
— Laura M
