subject: Guitar Instructor - How To Identify The Best Guitar Teacher For You [print this page] Guitar instructors are everywhere these days, because once they learn the guitar, they make the association that "Hey! I can start teaching other people to play the guitar now!" Really, it's a great idea, but it's very difficult to find a guitar instructor that knows the material and knows how to present it well for the student.
Of course, there are aspects of a lesson that you wish that every instructor had. Let's take a look at a few of the characteristics that every single guitar instructor should possess.
Do they have the experience for the job?
Just because someone can struggle through a couple songs at the campfire doesn't mean they have what it takes to be an effective guitar teacher. Learn how long they've been playing guitar, how long they've been teaching, and if they've ever played professionally on stage.
Can they play?
This should be obvious, but too many times people hand over their money blindly without thinking about the individual's real talent. If you plan to take lessons in person, ask to see some skills. If you're signing up for online courses, you better hope they have some videos of themselves jamming out.
What do people say about them?
Just like reviews and ratings can tell you about products you're going to buy, written or recorded testimonials from real people can let you know if this guy is worth it. Find out if other people have taken lessons from this instructor and if they were satisfied with the results they received.
Now, all of this is the bare minimum of information that a guitar instructor should provide you with, but just as important is what an instructor can provide for you personally. Here are a couple things that you should consider asking an instructor in order to find their personal niche in guitar-playing.
Are they more proficient playing lead or rhythm guitar?
If you're leaning towards one style or the other, it doesn't hurt to learn what the instructor plays more of themselves. With a lead player, you'll probably learn more about improvisation and single note licks, while as a rhythm student, you'll learn more about chords and handling tricky progressions.
What genres are their favorites?
If you're more into learning how to play metal guitar, you shouldn't take lessons from someone that teaches country. Find out what they really like to play more of and if it can mold with the style that you're aiming for.
With the help of a proficient guitar instructor, you can really increase the speed in which you learn the instrument. Consider hiring an experienced teacher with all of these factors in mind and watch your skills improve substantially.
