good place for guitar lessons? (also, things to look for in a teacher)

[iamme]

i tried teaching myself, but i think i learn better from instruction from someone else.

anyone know a good way of finding a teacher?

any qualifications i should look for?

 

[bigalt]

music stores often have teachers available, as well as the classifieds, but it's always a crapshoot as far as quality goes. if there's a university nearby they probably have a teacher there.

what kind of guitar are you trying to learn?

edit: i would put how much you like the person ahead of qualifications. if you like how they sound/the way they play, then it's really up to your chemistry and their ability to teach (neither of which can really be measured by anything but references) in determining how well you learn.

 

[Mr N8]

Call your music stores, and see who they have. Or, you could hang out there a bit, and ask some of the other students if the teacher is any good.

 

[mandala]

Some music stores (meaning places that sell musical instruments/etc.) have lessons or allow teachers to advertise on their bulletin boards.

Try checking at a local college/university that has a music department. You could possibly take lessons from one of the professors or else they (the guitar teachers at the university) could point you to some of their students that offer lessons. Sometimes you can find people advertising for students on the bulletain boards in the music buildings.

You should probably look for a teacher that will teach the style you want to learn - electric, classical, etc.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: bigalt
music stores often have teachers available, as well as the classifieds, but it's always a crapshoot as far as quality goes. if there's a university nearby they probably have a teacher there.

what kind of guitar are you trying to learn?

acoustic guitar.

 

[iamme]

are there specific things to seek in a guitar teacher? certifications or anything like that?

 

[bigalt]

like, rock-acoustic guitar? it's a different story than classical guitar...

 

[mandala]

Word of mouth (ie. recommendations) is probably going to be your best bet for finding a good teacher - you will have to ask around if anyone has/is/knows a good guitar teacher.

A guitar teacher at a major university is probably going to be a good teacher, but you will probably also have to pay big bucks.

 

[thomsbrain]

assuming you're interested in rock, blues, or pop music:

not to discount part of what mandala said, but i've found music teachers at schools to be tragically square, soul-less, and not up-to-date on any guitar music made in the last 30 years. ask them about rock and they'll say "yeah, i listened to santana but then i got bored with rock, and now i only listen to folk music," or something equally uncool. i'm sure there are exceptions, but i have yet to meet one.

i would suggest finding a local independant music store, and ask them if they have recommendations for guitar teachers. many will have several brochures that you can take and read to see how they are qualified or what they specialize in (one guy might do metal, another might do blues, etc). call them and ask for references if you're worried, or just try a few lessons with one and see how they go. if you feel you are learning, and you're enjoying it and getting along with the person, then the person is right for you. i picked my teacher at random from a music store and he was great. i only stopped taking lessons from him when i moved away. he taught me to be a musician first, a player second.

 

[iamme]

with private lessons, any idea what i would be paying?

 

[iamme]

bump for any more feedback before i start searching

 

[MazerRackham]

Just rent School of Rock!

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Just rent School of Rock!

lol

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
assuming you're interested in rock, blues, or pop music:

not to discount part of what mandala said, but i've found music teachers at schools to be tragically square, soul-less, and not up-to-date on any guitar music made in the last 30 years. ask them about rock and they'll say "yeah, i listened to santana but then i got bored with rock, and now i only listen to folk music," or something equally uncool. i'm sure there are exceptions, but i have yet to meet one.

i would suggest finding a local independant music store, and ask them if they have recommendations for guitar teachers. many will have several brochures that you can take and read to see how they are qualified or what they specialize in (one guy might do metal, another might do blues, etc). call them and ask for references if you're worried, or just try a few lessons with one and see how they go. if you feel you are learning, and you're enjoying it and getting along with the person, then the person is right for you. i picked my teacher at random from a music store and he was great. i only stopped taking lessons from him when i moved away. he taught me to be a musician first, a player second.

You know why they say that? Because when you get to a certain point, you realize that a lot of rock is just pentatonic scales and power chords. Folk music can be very complex and interesting. I personally like to learn a little of every kind of music so I can get as many influences as I can.

 

[EvilYoda]

I don't remember where you're located, but the first place to pop into my head is Gus Zoppi's...they've had a lot of their students go on to win some big guitar competition, year after year. Seems like that would be a good way of saying "I'm a good teacher" GZ's at Dequindre and Wattles.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
I don't remember where you're located, but the first place to pop into my head is Gus Zoppi's...they've had a lot of their students go on to win some big guitar competition, year after year. Seems like that would be a good way of saying "I'm a good teacher" GZ's at Dequindre and Wattles.

ah cool. it's about 30 minutes from where i live, but i'll give 'em a call.

i called a few places and it seems that $20/per half hour session was the norm. does that sound about right?

 

[baZillionaire]

Yes, $20 the half hour is about normal. I didn't notice where you are but $30-$35/hr. or $18-20/half hour is about the average here. I agree that your best bet is not the university, and to look at the smaller music stores and ask the guys that work there who they recommend. Just cause a person can play well doesn't mean they can teach at all, either. I would be wary of the guy that tries to totally blow you away the first lesson with a demonstration of how cool he can play and/or tells you what you should like, etc. without listening to what it is you hope to accomplish. You should come away from your first lesson with a couple riffs to practice, things you totally can work on all week so by the time you go back the next week you can play it. I would recommend you try to take a full hour lesson a week and on practicing as close to daily as you can, too.