Sure, there are plenty of great guitar teachers out there, all with a staggering amount of skill, but as a new student or parent of a new student, you may not realize the differences between teachers. Finding the right one is important for your long-term education. I have been a student and a teacher and I will give you very good guidelines to choose the right teacher for you or your child.
Number 1: Not all teachers are the same
I have seen both sides of the spectrum. There are teachers who have graduated with a master’s degree in music who can’t seem to reach a child and there are guitar players who never took a college course, struggle with reading notes but have a knack for teaching others to play. Honestly, music stores will hire both, as having teachers who teach well is awesome, but teachers with graduate degrees shine a good light on the store and their credentials, but they do NOT make that teacher a good teacher.
So the choice is to sit down with the teacher and ask him questions about his teaching style and explain his goals. If you’re a parent, sit down with his child for a couple of lessons to get a feel for the teacher. Does it seem believable?
Number 2: Personality is the key!
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that if your teacher doesn’t have a good personality, he won’t be a good teacher. But the culmination between his personality or that of his son and that of the teacher is what is important. A sure way to stifle learning is to spend time learning from a person you’re afraid of or who misses you. Make sure you or your child get along with the teacher or the lessons will become more of a chore than an exciting event.
Number 3: What style do you play?
I love playing the guitar and I enjoy both electric and acoustic, but I have a preference. When I play concerts, 99.5% of the time I play acoustic guitar. I have a passion for the warmth and feel of a beautiful acoustic guitar. You’ll find the same statement from others, but substitute acoustic for electric or Spanish or 12-string, bass or jazz-box. Maybe it’s the effects that they love. I love to pinch my fingers, but the teacher next to me can pinch like there is no tomorrow and next to him in a shredder.
Whatever the case may be, we as musicians all tend to have something we lean towards in our playing. Our experience so to speak. However, the real question to ask yourself is what is YOUR or YOUR CHILD’S desired experience? If you’re new or your child is young, don’t worry about knowing for sure now, but knowing what you don’t want is also important. Eventually, that teacher will start teaching you in a way that replicates it. It’s not that he’s doing it on purpose to make himself small, but it’s what he knows and is comfortable with as a teacher and as a player.
In conclusion:
Take your time. There is no problem with finding a teacher, trying it out and deciding to try another one. Find a good partner, but make sure he shows you what he wants and asks you lots and lots of questions. Good luck finding the right teacher!