Deciding to take lessons is a big step. Let’s face it, there’s enough free material on the internet that you can jam around and have a good time for years, learning and having fun. But the simple truth is that you will never learn as much online as you will working with a good guitar teacher. A good guitar instructor watches how you play and corrects specific mistakes you make, and can impose discipline on your practice routine as well. The result can be rapid improvement in your guitar playing skills.
But choosing a teacher can be intimidating. There are a lot of guitar teachers out there, particularly if you live in a big city. Here are some good guidelines for helping you pick the right guitar instructor.
Group or Solo Lessons?
Sometimes group lessons can be less intimidating, but you’ll make faster progress if you are working one-on-one. Group guitar lessons are best for absolute beginners (for a couple of weeks) or when you see classes offered on specific topics, such as improvisation, or ear training. For really working on your technique, you need one-on-one time with a teacher.
Do You Like Your Him?
This may seem trivial, but I’ve found it to be one of the biggest factors determining how much you get out of your lessons. Do you like the teacher? Do you enjoy being in a room with him (or her?). Does he motivate you? Do you care what he thinks of your playing? A good personal connection will get you to push yourself and practice, whereas if you don’t enjoy you’re teacher’s company you’re likely to start skimping on practice time, as well. Don’t waste your money on a guitar instructor you don’t like.
Do Your Styles Match?
One of the first discussions you should have with a potential guitar teacher is about what kind of music they love. While most good guitar teachers can teach any style, the more you and your teacher are in synch about the music you want to play, the easier it will be for you to click. So walk into your first meeting with a list of songs and artists who inspire you to play. Does your teacher know their music? Does he feel he can teach it well?
How Hard Are You Willing to Work?
This is one of those places where you have to be honest with yourself first. How many hours a week do you play? How many of those hours do you want to be fun jamming around, and how much are you willing to have be practice? (Practice, after all, isn’t just playing. It’s working specifically on your areas of weakness.) Are you interested in theory? How do you feel about reading music? These are all things you should discuss with a potential guitar teacher. There are no right answers to these questions, rather, it’s about making sure you and your teacher are on the same page.
If you and a potential teacher feel like you’re on the same page in these areas, then you are probably a good match and you should give it a try. It’s a good idea to commit to at least three or four lessons, and then re-evaluate. Remember, if you’re paying for the lessons they should fit your needs, so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and make a lot of requests. And if it doesn’t work, you can always try someone different. It’s very important for your guitar playing skills to find the best guitar teacher for you.
