subject: Tips On Finding Local Guitar Lessons [print this page] If you're looking for local guitar lessons it's likely you have a casual interest in learning guitar. Maybe you've always seen people playing it around fires up North, or at parties, and you'd like to be that guy. Playing music is a beautiful thing and many people derive endless satisfaction out of being able to play their favourite songs and entertain their friends. The good news is you don't need to be a technical wizard to have a lot of fun on the instrument! Here are tips to help you find a local musician who can get you up and playing.
Frequently local musicians post flyers on telephone poles and up in community boards around the area in which they work. This is an inexpensive way to get a presence in a targeted community. Keep an eye out for these. Often there'll be a few competing services. Don't be afraid to contact both to compare their rates and to ask them what experience they have. Let them tell you what makes them better than the competition. Sometimes they'll have a studio from where they teach, and other times they'll come to your home. Usually the latter is more expensive, but sometimes not by very much, and the time you save is always worth it.
If someone recommends to you a teacher that's always best. Like selecting restaurants or anything else, taking the advice of someone you trust is a reliable way to dive into the world of guitar. Only your friends know you and the teacher. Truthfully, musicians by and large are a kind bunch who for whatever reason seem to all have well developed senses of humour, but having a friend match this up for you expedites the process and does a lot to ensure compatibility.
So long as the teacher is serious about teaching, and you're serious too, you'll be able to get to play chords and do basic guitar playing. What you don't want is a failing musician trying to make a buck on the side by wasting your time and money. This happens from time to time. This is the most serious pitfall to avoid. You can tell from a few lessons whether your teacher has a passion for teaching and whether or not they take a special interest in you. You'll have a gut feeling. Go with your gut.
It boils down to experience teaching and qualifications. Experience teaching is self explanatory, unless they have years being a mediocre teacher in which case you can only learn after taking lessons for a while. There are two kinds of qualifications: certifications and music experience. It's hard to say what's more valuable, as this is really different for every teacher. If a teacher has both this is obviously preferable, but it's hard to find a local teacher so highly qualified. It's great if he's graduated from a music program or a teaching program. But if he has a lot of stage experience this can be very valuable too. While not an immediate indicator of dedication to teaching, you pick things up from practical playing experience you don't get in a classroom. These can benefit novice's and pros alike.
The important thing is to get out there, call around, and play a lot!
