[kenbiki]

How are your lessons given.My instructor spends 1/2 hr with me,a lot of chatting ,a quick run through on the notes I had for homework...(makes me play them).copies : some stuff for next week,quickly explains it and off I go.Is this how lessons all go??(for the beginner) I kind of feel like I'm paying him to copy some homework for me to do every week.

[Doug]

It sounds like your expectations and his are not jiving. What is it that you want from your lessons? 1/2 hour is usually enough as long as it's focussed. My teacher's philosophy is to teach the theory and reasons behind the music so that his pupils can then figure things out for themselves. It requires dedication from the students.
You should figure out what it is you want to learn and discuss it with your teacher.
Perhaps he's not the teacher for you.

[johnnydoxx]

Based on your description, it seems like there should be some more critique of your homework's playing, and some explanation of the new assignment - what is the goal of it, what's new in it, and how will you know if you do it OK while you're practicing it.

Otherwise you can just read lessons by yourself, such as the Mel Bay series of books (or learn online) and save the money you're paying for lessons.

[Andy S]

I've just started giving beginners lessons in February. Each is a half hour. The ages are anywhere from 8 yrs old to 13 yrs. A couple of the 13 yr olds have earned a little bit of standard notation from either playing another instrument, or a basic music course in school.

I am trying to teach all of them basic standard notation, but also throwing in chords and the major scale to keep their interest up.

They come in, I ask how their week was, anything exciting happen. Usual answer is no, or if yes, then a brief explanation of what it was. Then, I check my notes on what their homework assignment was. I have them do the stuff they were assigned. If they had any difficulty, they usually tell me, or it shows. I go over the stuff they may have had a problem with, showing them how to correct it or make it easier.

Then I go over the newer material and let them start that section in the book with me helping. Then I might switch over to the chords or, in the case of two of the students that are making progress fast, work on the chords or fingering of a song they picked.

FOr new material, it's either already in the book we are using, or I have looked at my notes from the previous week and know what I want to give each student. So if it's not in the book, I try have the material already printed and written out, so as to not waste time.

I usually end the lesson about 3-5 minutes from the half hour mark so I can talk with the parents and give them a follow up on how the student is doing, what the student needs to focus on, and see if the parent(s) have any questions.

So far, this system seems to be working. I have given my phone number and e mail address to the parents so 1) they can give me 24 hours notice minimum of they can't make the lesson. 2) e mail me or call if they have a question about the assignment.

A couple of parents haven't told me, but told the owner of the store/studio that they think I'm doing a great job and how much their kid likes the lessons.

I am also flexible in how I approach each student. Some learn faster than others, others show boredom immediately when we do the standard notation. With those, I "make a deal". They learn a certain assignment in the book, I'll show them the chords or part of a song they want to learn.

Seems to be working with one exception. An 8 yr old that wants to learn "Smoke on the Water" and "Iron man", but has no feel for rhythm and his hand strength isn't where it needs to be yet. I have briefly discussed this with his mom. She asked if she could sit in on a lesson and I was quite happy to say yes, as I was going to ask her to sit in so she could see how he sort of makes a half attempt at a certain scale or exercise, then quits and acts bored. Should be interesting next week when she sits in.

Anyhow, so far from the feedback, the half hour seems to be worthwhile for them.

Hope this helps.

[Noodler]

kenbiki,

Sounds like an OK teacher.

I have had a few teachers over the years and they're all a bit different.

Why I think your teacher is good is this:
1. He/she gives you homework. ie a goal. That means that they have a progression in mind, so that if you stick with them, in 6 months' time, you'll be able to see you've made progress.

2. He asks you to play what you learned last week. Which means he remembers what you did last week. That means you have to practice/ learn what you are given.

The "quick explanation" bit is a worry if you spend half the lesson chatting. Some teachers are chatty, others get down to business straight away (and finish just as abruptly after 1/2hr).

I'd ask just one question: "Where are you taking me with this?" It sounds like your teacher has a plan, which is a good thing.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by kenbiki

How are your lessons given.My instructor spends 1/2 hr with me,a lot of chatting ,a quick run through on the notes I had for homework...(makes me play them).copies : some stuff for next week,quickly explains it and off I go.Is this how lessons all go??(for the beginner) I kind of feel like I'm paying him to copy some homework for me to do every week.

Yah, I think I'd stick it out with him. It sounds like he has a plan, as Noodler says. This doesn't mean this is the teacher for you long term. You can figure that out in a while. Get some feedback from some of his other students and find out more about his style. Also, ask questions like Noodler says, 'where are we going with this'?

And as all have said, there is more than one style of teaching. Since you're new to the guitar, it's easy to believe that there must be only one way or two to learn it and that's just not the case. It's just like learning any other instrument or sport. What is important is that you find some one to explain why it is what you are learning. That's the best lesson of all, because only then do you begin teaching yourself and buy what he is selling and begin to wrap your brain around concepts in a way that YOU understand them!

So keep in mind that it's good for you to do a little research into what it is that you should be learning. This teacher may be good for you in the short term, for learning some basics. Then decide whether or not to sign him to an extension after his first contract expires

Also keep in mind that the guitar is primarily a rhythm instrument. It's important in the early stages to see some chord and rhythm development (of course, that's just my style).

How are my lessons given? I have to assess where the player is in their development and then make a plan to address the issues that they need to tackle to help them succeed. In short, if I feel that a student who is past a beginner does not have a handle on the basics, I will take them back to the basics. Not to lord that over on them, but I ingrain basics into the lessons.

How are my lessons given for beginners? Chords. Chord switching. Strumming. Rhythm. Pick or finger positions and basic dynamics. Learn a song that the student wants to learn. Review homework. Assign new homework based on the reviews. Keep it fun.

All the best,

Steve

[kenbiki]

Lots of good advice,thank you.I will stay with him for at least six months.

[guitar_expert173]

Just keep practicing, and if there are any songs you would like to learn, ask your teacher to print off some tabs for you and help you learn it

[guitar_expert173]

:

[kenbiki]

Ij'm learning to read music,so my teacher won't do tab.Do you think it would confuse me if I tried some tab on my own??

[Europa]

Originally Posted by kenbiki

Do you think it would confuse me if I tried some tab on my own??

I don't think so. Tabs are very easy to understand.

[Andy S]

Originally Posted by kenbiki

Ij'm learning to read music,so my teacher won't do tab.Do you think it would confuse me if I tried some tab on my own??

It seems with tab, you need to know how the song goes to make it work.

Also, I am trying to get better at reading more advanced Standard notation (faster tempo, more notes, chords!! Not just the first 3 books of Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method) I am currently using a jazz/swing book. It has the notation on one row and tab on the other. I find that it can be distracting with the tab directly under the notes, so I wind up getting a strip of paper as wide as the page and covering the tab section so I can focus on the reading of notes.

So, if you know the song and just want to use it to add songs to your repertoire, or start one, then I think it would be good for you since you then will be playing stuff you want to play, be strengthening your fretting hand and building confidence in your playing. Now, if the teacher finds out and gets upset, well, that may be an indicator that, as previously mentioned, he may or may not be the best fit.

Just my 2 cents.

[guitar_expert173]

tab is a lot easier to read than music because you don't have to memorize the notes and where to put your hand, you just look at the notes

[guitar_expert173]

whta type of songs do u like

[parrotheada1a]

Originally Posted by guitar_expert173

tab is a lot easier to read than music because you don't have to memorize the notes and where to put your hand, you just look at the notes

That may be true in the short run, IF you know how the music is supposed to sound. I like to use tab, but I think they leave too much out to use alone. Plus, many tabs out on the internet have errors in them.