Fun & Easy Online Guitar Lessons for Florida Homeschoolers
Learn to play the fun way, online with Mr. Jim!
What You'll Get:
For just $49/month, you receive:
4 new video lessons a month from an expert guitar teacher and experienced homeschool parent
Access to a library of all the lesson videos
Engaging, fun, easy-to-follow guitar instruction that will empower your child to play and build their self-confidence
Opportunity to submit questions each week and have them answered in a subsequent lesson
Guitar buying guide
Guitar tuning guide
Guitar stringing guide
Help with getting reimbursed by Step Up for Students
Gain Access to Premium Content
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25 hours of video
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Unlimited email coaching
Weekly check-ins
Dedicated life coach
VIDEO HOMESCHOOL GUITAR LESSONS WITH
MR. JIM
Weekly Video Lessons
I'll teach a new lesson each week, building on the week before, for a total of 4 lessons each month.
Lessons will be around 25 minutes long--sometimes longer, never shorter.
I will upload a new video at the same time each week to our private course site.
Students can watch the videos as soon as they're posted, and repeatedly as long as they're enrolled.
Flexible--Every Lesson Is Recorded So You Can Watch When You Want
Each video lesson will be posted on our private course website, forming a complete video library of lessons that students can access at any time during their enrollment.
Students who start once the semester is underway can catch up using these videos.
The videos can also be used as a self-paced program.
Affordable--Just $49/month--and We Help with Step Up Reimbursement
We believe that music education should be accessible to everyone. That's why we offer competitive prices for these homeschool guitar lessons.
We also provide an invoice template you can use to get reimbursed through Florida's Step Up program.
Payment is via a monthly recurring subscription, which you can cancel at any time.
First Session Is April to August 2025; Enroll Now to Start at the Beginning, or Join at Any Time
Our first session of beginning guitar starts on April 7 and goes through the end of August. Although we will run on a semester system, students are welcome to enroll at any time.
Every video lesson will be available so they can watch those to catch up, or use them as a self-paced program.
Advice on What Guitar to Get + How to Get Free Guitars Through Step Up
We know that having the right instrument is essential to success. That's why we provide a guide to getting the right guitar and accessories for your student, as well as information on how to string and tune it.
You can get acoustic and electric guitars through Florida's Step Up for Students scholarship program, at MyScholarShop, and we discuss those plus other options.
Beginners Welcome! Intermediate and Advanced Levels to Come
Our first semester will teach the basics of beginning guitar through weekly lessons from April 7 through the end of August.
Students who are ready to progress can move up to the next level in the second semester. We will also repeat the beginning guitar program in the fall.
Fun & Easy-to-Follow Lessons
Our motto is "learn to play the fun way" because we believe that students should enjoy their lessons.
We'll play current age-appropriate songs and go at a relaxed pace.
No Books!
My unique teaching method is based on shapes and techniques that are easy for kids to understand and remember.
No boring books to study, no complicated methods to learn, and no need to know how to read music!
All you need is a guitar and a device to watch me on!
Builds Self-Confidence
My approach is to help students learn how to play songs quickly, boosting their self-confidence and giving them a sense of achievement right away.
I've had the honor of teaching thousands of students to play guitar over the past 20 years and am excited to share the joy of being able to play music with your homeschooler!
About Mr. Jim
Hi, I'm Jim Brown, owner of Gulf Coast School of Music in Pensacola, Florida. I combine two decades of teaching guitar with my time as a homeschool parent to provide a unique, fun learning experience for homeschool students of all ages.
BTW, I'm not listed as a provider in the Step Up program because they require a BA in music, which I don't have. Instead, I have 34 years of experience as a self-taught professional guitarist, which I feel is part of what makes me such an effective teacher.
Our first semester of beginning guitar starts April 7. Sign up today!
As a homeschool parent, I am always looking for ways to enrich my children's education with quality experiences. I am so pleased with the guitar lessons my son has had with Jim. He has been so patient and engaging. I highly recommend these lessons to any parent looking to give their child a meaningful musical experience.
Natalie G
Jim Brown has a true gift for teaching and providing a wonderful positive learning environment. I've recommended him to many families!
Beth Partington
The motto says it all: Learn to Play the Fun Way! This isn't your typical music teacher with boring books and basic exercises on how to play an instrument.
The heart of the instruction is on teaching music, but the scope of the experience promotes self-confidence, maturity, commitment and goal achievement.
Michelle Lockhart
JOIN FOR ONLY $49 PER MONTH, AND GET ONLINE GUITAR LESSONS YOUR CHILD WILL ENJOY & STICK WITH.
First session starts April 7, but you can join any time!
Not sure if this is right for your student?
Enter your email for a free demo video!
FAQs
Is there an age limit for lessons?
We suggest that students be at least 8 years old, and there is no maximum age limit. If your student is a beginner at guitar, they can benefit from this program.
While you know your child best, in my experience they should be at least 8 years old in order to have the necessary hand dexterity and strength to be successful.
What equipment do we need?
Students can learn on either acoustic or electric guitars. If using an acoustic, your student will need a guitar, guitar pick, tuner, and a device to watch the lessons on.
If they want to play an electric guitar, they will need a guitar, amp, cable, guitar pick, and tuner, as well as a device to watch me on.
A strap and a stand are also useful but not required.
I give a complete overview of how to choose the right guitar, along with my recommended guitars and accessories and links to purchase them, in the guitar buying guide that comes with this program.
You can get a complete electric guitar package for less than $400, and an acoustic guitar for less than $200. These costs are also reimbursable by Step Up for Students. Another option is to purchase guitars and equipment through MyScholarShop and have it deducted from your scholarship.
If you don’t have a guitar yet and want your student to start the lessons on April 7, I suggest you go ahead and register in order to view the guide and get everything beforehand.
This course also includes guides to stringing and tuning the guitar.
How much are lessons and how do we pay?
Lessons are $49 a month, payable via a recurring subscription on your credit card. When you choose to register, you will be taken through the ordering process. Your card will be charged automatically every month and you will be emailed a receipt for each payment. You can cancel at any time by logging in to your account and choosing the “cancel subscription” option.
This amount covers 4 lessons a month plus access to the full library of video recordings of the lessons, as well as the guitar buying guide, guitar stringing guide, guitar tuning guide, and a downloadable template for the invoice you can use to be reimbursed by Step Up for Students. You can also submit questions to be answered in upcoming lessons.
What is Step Up for Students?
Step Up for Students is a non-profit program in Florida that provides education scholarships for K-12 students that can be used in multiple ways, including for homeschooling. Learn more at StepUpforStudents.org.
Why aren’t you listed as a provider with Step Up for Students?
I applied to be a provider, but was told that I didn’t have the required qualification of a B.A. degree in music. While I do have a B.A. degree, I actually didn’t study music in college. I taught myself how to play guitar because I wanted to be a musician, and was too impatient to learn the “traditional” way.
I quickly became a successful professional guitarist and now draw on the techniques and shortcuts I came up with to be a successful guitar teacher. I have been teaching guitar and other instruments for 20 years and have helped thousands of students learn to play the fun way.
I have owned Gulf Coast School of Music in Pensacola since 2009 and serve hundreds of children and adults each year along with my team of instructors. (You can learn more about the school and our philosophy at www.gulfcoastschoolofmusic.com.) I also have experience as a homeschool parent, having homeschooled my child for 7 years.
While we aren’t listed as a provider, lessons with us are reimbursable by Step Up. In fact, I teach multiple homeschoolers at my studio who have scholarships and get reimbursed for their lessons with us.
How do you help with getting reimbursed by Step Up for Students?
We provide a downloadable invoice template that has all the required information you need to get reimbursed. All you have to do is fill it out and submit it along with your proof of purchase (which can be the email receipt you receive from us each month).
We also have a homeschool parent on our team who is experienced with the Step Up program and can assist you if you have any issues.
What is MyScholarShop?
MyScholarShop is a service of Step Up for Students where you can buy educational supplies including musical equipment for your student if you have a scholarship. When you purchase items on MyScholarShop, the amount is deducted from your balance.
Do we need to watch the lessons as soon as you upload them?
Although we will upload the new video lesson at the same day and time each week, your student doesn't need to watch them then if that doesn't work for your schedule. You can watch them at whatever time works best for you.
Each new lesson video will remain on the private course site so your student can watch it on demand, as many times as they like, as long as they are enrolled.
When are the lessons?
Lessons will be uploaded every Monday morning at 10 a.m. Central/11 a.m. Eastern, starting April 7.
How long are lessons?
Each lesson will be around 25 minutes. Sometimes they will go longer, but they will never be shorter. Your student will get about 2 hours of instruction per month.
How long is the beginning guitar program?
This beginning guitar session starts on April 7 and runs through the end of August. Students who want to continue on will be able to do so in a new intermediate program that will start in September.
Another beginning guitar session will also start in September for new students; existing students are welcome to repeat the course if they want. Those courses will run until February with a break for the holidays.
How can we submit questions?
On the private course site, there is a form you can use to submit any lesson-related questions your student may have. I will read them all and answer them in upcoming lessons.
It’s after April 7 and the session has started. Can we still register?
Absolutely! Students can enroll at any time. They can catch up by watching the existing videos and then watch each new lesson as it's posted, or use the videos as a self-paced program.
My student has some guitar experience. Will you be offering an intermediate or advanced guitar program?
Yes! Once the first session of beginning guitar concludes in August, we plan to launch an intermediate session that will run alongside a new beginner guitar session starting in September. When those sessions end in February 2026, we plan to launch an advanced session as well so that current students can continue to further their skills. Going forward, sessions will be March to August and September to February.
How do we register?
Simply click the button below to sign up!
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