It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
I'd be looking for these things in a tutor if I was to seek tuition myself:
- Background/Experience: they need to have done it for a while (at least 10-15 years) and know what they're doing with different types of learner. I want to see they've trained somewhere like a music school or academy. A good tutor will also be able to spot bad habits/mistakes/technique from the off.
- Patience: Will work with you to achieve results instead of just randomly churning out useless material and leaving you to it.
- Structure: similar to above but will work on things they feel you need to work on to get you where you want to be. Actually plan lessons around your goals/tastes.
- Motivation: Will keep you interested and motivated to practice and improve. Also playing with another person makes sure you're playing correctly, in tune and in time.
- Actual skill in knowing how to teach: Just cos you're a good guitar player doesn't always mean you're a good teacher. Actually teaching and demonstrating well whilst applying concepts is essential, and showing students how to practice. And also knowing what you want as a learner, not what they like doing. No use if they're into metalcore and you want to do fingerpicking.
And I like practicality, I don't talk much in my lessons and its very interactive. Alot of it is my learner playing.
I don't like using books or other people's resources either (Unless they're doing grades). I don't believe in "one-size-fits-all" approaches, instead I work with the individual's ability level and taste and put my own material together to suit.
I will say the mid-priced/higher end tutors tend to be better as they will put more thought and effort into their service as opposed to the teenager/early 20 year old guys charging cheap fees for a bit of pocket money. Also the higher charging tutors tend to be doing it full-time or balancing it with other music related work as opposed to part-time working another day-job. You want a tutor who is passionate about their work and aren't just tutoring out of necessity, like a lot of ones out there.
I teach via Skype if the distance is too far as well, just thought I'd put that in there.
Based on other topical discussion here, how would you feel about making a voluntary donation to the conversion of your teacher's garage into a bespoke studio for your lessons?
Were I looking for lessons in London, I'd probably be knocking at Martin Goulding's door, but I'm a metalhead... \m/
BTW thanks to the detailed responses to this question, really appreciated and I will respond shortly.
Sure. Not for everything, but this might give you an idea:
Teacher in Germany, student in US.
There are apps for that these days.
I've been far too lazy with it, too, but one thing I do every year is play as many Christmas carols from memory as I can.
Any tune you know well, work out how to play it.
"S'what Guthrie Govan did. Eggxacxxxxchtthly!" [/Scouse accent]
I don't want to try and learn in my home as I only have very basic equipment and too many distractions.
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
I've been playing a few years and progressing at a snail's pace. During that time I have had periods of seeing teachers and periods without them.
Comparing the "with-teachers" to the "without-teachers" periods, I'm not sure there has been any measurable difference in my speed of progress.
Intellectually, it seems that I ought to have a teacher. In almost any field, even the highest achievers have coaches/teachers/mentors of some description.
But on a practical level, I seem to experience no measurable benefit, it's hassle to physically get to lessons and schedule the time away from my family, I get anxious about completing my "homework" which takes away some of the fun/relaxation for me and, of course, there is a £ cost.
Now In my case I find my teacher invaluable but not for the reasons I thought I would when I first started. What I'm finding is that whilst he obviously knows his stuff, directs my learning and answers my questions it's the feedback and encouragement that makes such a huge difference.
I think it's as important to find a teacher that you get along with, understands what you want to get out of learning the guitar and is happy to help you towards that goal as it is looking at musical credentials.
Others however actually need a kick up the arse and for someone to organise stuff around them, what songs to play, what to practice where to go next, etc etc. I've had this success with multiple people who just need a sense of direction. There's many YouTube videos and other resources but its all one method. I can see what a learner needs to be doing and if they're doing it properly, and I will check on them the next lesson. Some people want that kinda approach, some don't and see it as nagging. Everyone is different.
Paul sorta nailed it with his comment above:
"I think it's as important to find a teacher that you get along with, understands what you want to get out of learning the guitar and is happy to help you towards that goal as it is looking at musical credentials"
I've had students come to me instead of an older more experienced tutor because I get along with more and have some rapport. Teenagers think its cool I play in a rock band and stuff. School guitar teachers have tend to be retired 65 something blokes into 12-bar-blues and classical pieces. Try relating to a teenager! Haha.
I would really recommend them and this is coming from me who hadn't had a lesson in 18 years!
@Barnezy I'm due to have a first lesson with a new teacher not far from you this week. I'll let you know how it goes on PM.