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You can learn guitar online using YouTube or websites like this one. However, a teacher can make a huge difference in your ability to progress. A good teacher will help you learn faster, avoid bad habits, learn new things, and make it easier for you to learn.
Not all guitar teachers are created equal. Some teachers view teaching guitar as a way to make a living. While some teachers are skilled at playing the guitar, they lack teaching skills. There are also teachers who can help you reach your goals and understand your needs.
Guitar teachers will all claim they provide superior lessons and are the best for you. This guide will help you choose the best guitar classes in south bay.
This guide will help you identify the right teacher for you and what to look out for.
A Guideline of Things to Look for in a Guitar Teacher
This guide is very detailed, so here’s the summary.
When searching for a teacher for guitar, remember that you are looking for someone who can teach effectively. Their guitar skills are not the only thing that matters, but their teaching skills.
Important things to consider when teaching guitar:
- Excellent teaching skills (teaching skills are more important than playing the guitar).
- Passionate about teaching, and studies methods and strategies regularly.
- You are passionate about/likes/listens the same music (or similar) as you
- Focuses on the music that you are interested in learning (doesn’t attempt to teach all styles of music).
- Experience (to a certain degree)
- Your personality will work with you.
You’re more likely to have a positive learning experience if you find a teacher who meets all of these criteria.
Things that aren’t important
- Technical skills of a high level (a guitar player with incredible skills does not automatically make a great teacher).
- Music degrees are not required unless you want to also study music or take exams.
- Testimonials (many teachers make them up so you shouldn’t be too trusting any).
- As we will see, experience is not equal.
These points are often viewed as essential in a teacher of guitar, but they don’t. Many guitarists are great teachers, but they can have amazing skills. I have seen teachers of guitar with impressive degrees, but struggle to handle basic student problems.
Signs that a bad teacher of guitar is before you take lessons with them
Every guitar teacher claims they can teach you the best lessons. It is difficult to tell who is really good from who.
These are some signs and warnings that may indicate that the teacher might not be worth your time. These red flags are more common in one teacher than elsewhere.
Claims that they can teach all styles and all abilities. No one is an expert in all types of music. Avoid guitar teachers who claim to be able to teach any style of music. They claim they can teach anything because they have a schedule.
Do not take lessons from someone who claims they can teach all styles of music. Learn the music you love from a specialist teacher.
Would you prefer to see a general practitioner if you have injured your knee? A knee specialist will provide you with better care. The same applies to learning guitar. Learn from a specialist.
Lesson information and withholding rates: Some teachers don’t post their lesson rates online. They do this because they want you call them to try to convince you to sign up to lessons. Teachers who don’t feel confident about what they have to say are more likely to withhold information.
You must sign a contract and prepay for a lot of lessons. Some teachers require that you pay at least 10+ lessons in advance. They don’t offer refunds if you cancel. Teachers who are passionate about providing a positive experience for students won’t do this.
Negative Google reviews: Many guitar teachers will have an Google business listing. These reviews are important because teachers have no control over them (unlike testimonials posted on their website). Negative reviews about teachers are a sign of concern. Although a negative review may be the result of a miscommunication between the student and teacher, it is still a sign to look out for.
Signs of a bad guitar teacher (you are currently taking lessons with)
Let’s talk about how to tell if your teacher is doing a poor job if you are currently taking lessons.
These are the signs that your teacher of guitar isn’t doing a great job and you need to look elsewhere.
A poor guitarist: although I have said that teaching skills are more important than playing guitar, your teacher should still be an excellent guitarist. You should not be impressed with the teacher’s playing if you see poor technique or sloppy play. As I will cover, the worst examples I have heard were from guitar teachers who tried to teach piano.
Unprepared: Does it look like the teacher is well-informed about the lesson before you start? Do they seem unprepared? It’s a problem if your teacher doesn’t have a plan for the lesson. Your teacher should have a plan for how they will help you achieve your goals. Your teacher won’t be able to help you achieve your goals if they don’t have a plan.
Does not follow up on previous lessons.
An important part of teaching is to review previously covered topics and see how the student has learned them. Good guitar teachers will often begin lessons by comparing how you did with the lesson before. You may be asked to show them what you’ve been doing and where you got stuck.
Your teacher may not follow up on the lessons they have covered. This could be a sign that they aren’t taking notes well or don’t know why they’re important.
Was it a waste of time?
How long does a 30-minute lesson on guitar take? How long does the teacher take to prepare, set up, tune up and start the lesson? Is the teacher spending too much time talking about irrelevant things?
If they aren’t careful with their time, it is a clear sign that the teacher is not a good one. It is a waste to spend 5 minutes playing a guitar or talking about the weekend. A great teacher will maximize every minute. You don’t want to feel like your teacher is wasting your time or stretching out lessons. Find someone who will value your time.
Passion is not a virtue:
Great guitarist teachers love to teach. Their enthusiasm for seeing students succeed is evident on their faces. They enjoy every lesson. It’s obvious that they don’t care about their students and it shows in their faces. Find a new teacher if your teacher is always looking bored or does not seem to care. Although every teacher has bad days, it can be a problem for learning if this happens often.
Does not teach from a book.
While it is fine for teachers to teach from a method book it should be only a small part of the lessons you receive. Because it is easier for them, poor teachers rely entirely on method books. Teachers who are good will create additional materials that include examples or exercises based on your learning needs.
How would your teacher handle it if you forgot your method book? Is it possible for them to offer you another lesson or are they unable to provide any ideas? A great teacher should be able give you a lesson that is effective with or without a method guide.
Having trouble understanding something?
Your teacher should be able explain any topic or technique effectively to you in a way you can understand. It’s not your fault that you don’t get it.
This happens when a teacher is very technical but has poor teaching skills. It’s a sign that you don’t get something or that your teacher is unable to explain it in a way that makes sense.
Practice is key to learning the guitar. Find a new teacher if your teacher isn’t clear about what you should do outside of lessons. What your teacher gives you as a practice plan is more important that what you learn in lessons.
Doesn’t work towards your goals
Does your teacher know your goals and does he or she give you materials that work towards them? Do they give you useless materials to learn and not explain why?
Your teacher must know your goals and how they can help you reach them. You should not be listening to songs or learning about topics that aren’t related to your goals. Find a new teacher.
Ask your teacher if they have any new information that will help you achieve your goals. An excellent teacher will be able give you the answer. Bad teachers will either get frustrated by your question or tell you that everyone needs to learn it.
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