Ladybank Learning Music School based in Ashburton is one of the largest in New Zealand with over 200 pupils. The School has five teachers teaching Guitar, Keyboard, Drums, Singing and Piano.

Barbara Thomas a Qualified Music and Primary school Teacher has been teaching music for many years and has created a unique and successful programme for teaching Guitar and Keyboard drawn from her experiences as a school teacher working in reading recovery and also based on her extensive musical knowledge.

The Guitar For Children beginner series of Books are used by the Ladybank School as well as by other teachers and music schools throughout New Zealand. Each Book focuses on a different Key following along in a Graded step by step approach from the preceding book. The initial books in the series focus on Acoustic Rhythm Guitar with the students focus being on learning chords and different strum patterns. Tablature is introduced in the Fourth Book the Key of G.

Basic Music theory is introduced from the first book with children very quickly being able to recognise basic notation. The simplicity of the books has allowed for self teaching by Older Children and Adult learners. Another unexpected bonus of the books has been the many parents and Grandparents who are using the books to teach their own familys budding guitarists. The easy to Learn system is Graded with each Book a step up from the last.

The Books are available singularly or as a set, with or without an accompanying CD.

For Teachers an extensive Teaching programme to run with the books is available including lesson plans and musical games available on CD for download and printing. This is a simple and conclusive programme for the new or more experienced Guitar Teacher alike.

The Beginner Keyboard Books are also available individually or as a set.