Custom Instrument Recommendations and Lesson Materials

Instrument recommendations from Music Teacher LA

Our founder, Olesya MacNeil, created the Music Teacher LA student library for your convenience, bringing you the best music education since 1991. Here, you’ll find instrument recommendations and essential lesson materials to get you started with private music lessons in Los Angeles. Let’s dive in!

Click the instrument name below to open the dropdown menu with purchase recommendations.

For personalized help, call (310) 220-0405 or email us. Get ready to make beautiful music with the best in Los Angeles.

PIANO & KEYBOARD

Contact our office for personalized piano recommendations- matched to your budget and space. We connect students with trusted local dealers.

Starter Keyboards

Casio Privia S1100 – Versatile for all levels
Casio Privia 770 – With built-in pedals
Casio Digital Piano – Stylish, modern

Important: Choose a keyboard with weighted keys, book rest, pedals, and a bench.

GUITAR

Reference chart:

Recommended Guitars:
3/4 Acoustic Guitar (Ages 8-12)
3/4 Electric Guitar
Fender Affinity Electric Guitar (Ages 11+)
AMPs & Cable

Accessories:
Guitar Stand | Wall-Mount Stand
Elixir Strings for Acoustic
Ernie Ball Strings for Electric

VIOLIN

Size chart:

Affordable:
1/16 Violin to 1/2 Violin
Premium:
1/16 Violin to 1/2 Violin
Professional:
Eastman Violin

If uncertain, select the smaller size. Don’t discard the shipping box!

DRUMS

Practice & Starter Kits:
Practice Pads
4-Piece Drum Kit (ages 4-10)
5-Piece Junior Drum Set
Pearl 5-Piece Drum Set
Ludwig Complete Set
Yamaha 5-Piece Drum Set

Accessories:
Mute Pack | Drumstick Dampeners

Electronic Drums:
Simmons Drum Kit
Alesis Drums (with Speaker)
Donner Drum Set

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6 BEST Music Practice Tips (PIANO, VIOLIN, GUITAR- any instrument)

Required Lesson Materials

If you already have other method books, we can use them unless they don’t fit your or your child’s needs.

PIANO LESSONS FOR AGES 4-5

Start your musical journey with engaging lesson and writing books.

Purchase two books: Lesson and Writing

Learning the Alphabet? Purchase MY FIRST ABC Tracing Fun Workbook – Trace letters, enjoy catchy poems, and color delightful pictures.

PIANO LESSONS FOR AGES 5-6

Dive deeper with lesson, theory, and genre books.

Buy Music Flash Cards, Lesson, Theory, and any two genre books of your child’s choice: Classics, Rock & Roll, Popular, Disney, Favorites, or Christmas

PIANO LESSONS FOR AGES 7-10

Notespeller Motivational Manuscript Paper, Lesson, Technique, and any of these two books Classics, Favorites, Performance, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, Popular, Disney, or Christmas

PIANO LESSONS FOR AGES 11-UP

Purchase: Older Beginner Set, Music Flash Cards, and Manuscript Paper

Adult Beginners purchase the following four books: Piano Course, Keyboard Theory, Daily Warm-ups, and Sight Reading

VIOLIN LESSONS

Master the violin with comprehensive lesson and theory books.

Package 1: Essential Elements, Suzuki Violin & Music Stand, or

Package 2: Violin for Adult Beginner & Music Stand

DRUM LESSONS

Improve your drumming skills with these lesson materials.

Package 1: Fundamentals of Rhythm, Manuscript Paper, and Stick Control

Your teacher might also assign the following materials:

Package 2: Modern Reading

Package 3: Master Studies

Package 4: Technique

GUITAR LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS

Learn the chords and techniques with our recommended lesson and theory books.

Music Notes Vinyl Wall Decal – Optional, purchase to decorate your music room

Package 1: Tuner, Music Stand, Manuscript Notebook, and Guitar Picks– buy only materials you don’t already have. Also, one of the packages below as assigned by your teacher:

Package 2: Guitar for Younger Beginner, or

Package 3: Guitar Method, or

Package 4: Guitar Complete Edition for students who learned Theory and Technique in Piano Lessons