Happy Valley Arts Academy
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  • Are you a teacher?
  • Re-Opening Update
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Instruments

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Guitar
Are you looking for a guitar to begin lessons? Make sure it is in good working condition. The strings  must be easy for the student to press down (nylon strings are the best to begin with).

We sell Johnson guitars at our school! These make great starter guitars and are only $149, ideal for beginners. You can try a sample instrument in our studio.

Guitar set-up and maintenance available  through one of our instructors! 

Rent a Guitar
If you're not quite ready to purchase an instrument, for $25 per month, you can rent a guitar from us. The program is month-to-month and there is no minimum of months to rent.  Great for students who want to see if they like lessons before purchasing an instrument! 


Location

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Piano/Keyboard
Before we can begin piano lessons, the student must have a piano/keyboard.
You can start lessons with our  piano teachers by using an electric keyboard to practice on. Most of our students rent or buy small electric keyboards to practice on at home. We recommend a keyboard that has regular sized keys and a touch sensitive response. A touch sensitive keyboard means if you press a key harder it will play louder and if you press a key softer it will play quieter.

One great resource is Classic Pianos, located in SE Portland. You can make an appointment to look at used pianos, starting as low as $500. They can also deliver!

Craigslist is a good resource and you can find a piano for around $200. It can be expensive to pay a piano mover (around $300), but worth it unless you have strong men, moving straps and a truck! (Which can be done!)

To have the best success, look for the following things in a keyboard:
1.  88 keys 
2.  Sustain Pedal (when you hold it down, the sound rings out)
3.  Touch sensitive keys (when you play louder, it sounds louder; when you play softly, it sounds softer)


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Violin /Cello
Please see a professional location for sizing and rentals.  Here is who we recommend:
David Kerr Violin Shop
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If you're not quite ready to purchase a violin from them, for as little as $25 per month, you can rent one. 
This is great for students who want to see if they like lessons before purchasing an instrument!

(You can expect to spend $25 per month on an instrument rental and most places will allow you to  "rent to own"​  from other music shops around the area)



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Drums
You do not have to purchase a drum kit to take lessons (though owning one at home will greatly benefit your lessons). Beginning students can learn with a drum pad and sticks for about $40.   Choose a rubber or plastic practice pad. A  plastic pad  has more natural response but makes more sound.
AFRAID of the NOISE? You can purchase an electronic set and use headphones! 
Students use our drum set at their lessons and do not have to bring anything except their drum sticks and a notebook.

If you are just starting out, here are a number of ways you can keep sound levels down while you practice and do it affordably:

1) Start on a rubber practice pad.
2) Put rubber pads on cheap drums.
3) Purchase an electronic drum kit.


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Rent a Ukulele
If you're not quite ready to purchase an instrument, for $25 per month, you can rent a Ukulele from us. The program is month-to-month and there is no minimum of months to rent.  Great for students who want to see if they like lessons before purchasing an instrument! 
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We also sell:
​Guitar Strings
Guitar Straps
Guitar Picks
Gig Bags
Music Books
Happy Valley Arts Academy Canvas Book Bags
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Offering quality piano, guitar, voice, drums, violin, viola, cello, and ukulele  lessons in Happy Valley, OR. ​

Serving the communities of Happy Valley, Damascus, Gresham, Oregon City, Boring, Clackamas, Portland, Milwaukie, Gladstone, Lake Oswego and West Linn.
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  • Home
  • Start
  • Hours/Directions
  • Calendar
  • Meet the owners
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Are you a teacher?
  • Re-Opening Update