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Post by colchar on Jun 8, 2010 11:51:50 GMT -5
This may be a dumb question but...
I've decided that trying to teach myself is just too frustrating and am going to take some lessons with a real guitar teacher but I am not sure what length of lesson to take. Should I take half hour lessons or full hour lessons? I always thought that full hour lessons would make sense as they would be more economical and you would get more teaching during that hour but a couple of people have mentioned that half hour lessons are the way to go so that you don't get bogged down with too much info each lesson.
What would people here recommend?
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Post by Mohikanas on Jun 8, 2010 12:01:17 GMT -5
Well, if I were you, I'd choose full hour lessons. Shouldn't be very tiresome after one hour practice But that's just me
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nashvegas
Junior Member
American Standard 3 tone
Posts: 50
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Post by nashvegas on Jun 8, 2010 14:12:13 GMT -5
My son's instructor gives him more than he can keep up with in 30 minutes each week. Also, learned this the hard way, don't put up with an instructor who doesn't play along with the student. It sort of simulates the band experience.
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Post by 469roadking on Jun 8, 2010 19:50:05 GMT -5
I'm in the 30 minute camp as well. If your instructor is organized and doesn't spend your lesson time chatting and such, you will have a lot to retain in 30 minutes time. I too like an instructor that plays along with you when it's appropriate. I took formal lesson when starting out and would still take them if presented with the right instructor to study with. I think it's a great idea.
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Post by pwfirst on Jun 8, 2010 19:57:55 GMT -5
30 min is about right. I started taking lessons a few years ago to expand and breathe some fresh air into my playing. It is very important that you decide what you want to learn and and go after that. Go in there with a plan. Not all good players are good teachers. Good luck. Phil
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Post by gasman on Jun 8, 2010 20:53:15 GMT -5
...Not all good players are good teachers. Good luck. Phil Hey Phil, do you think the opposite holds true: You know, 'Not all good teachers are good players' or 'those who can't do, teach'? Just throwing that out there. I have only taken lessons through school, and that was long, long, ago. I think if I were to take lessons at this point, I would get impatient, bored, or both.
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Post by pwfirst on Jun 9, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
I think you do have to have some skills to teach, since you have to demonstrate what you are trying to show a student. But you don't have to be great. I have never liked teachers who did nothing but show off and the lessons were all about them and their last gig. I always thought if I learned one or two things in a lesson it was a good day. Bottom line if you don't have fun look for a different instructor and go into to the lesson with a plan.
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Post by 469roadking on Jun 9, 2010 17:15:31 GMT -5
I think you do have to have some skills to teach, since you have to demonstrate what you are trying to show a student. But you don't have to be great. I have never liked teachers who did nothing but show off and the lessons were all about them and their last gig. I always thought if I learned one or two things in a lesson it was a good day. Bottom line if you don't have fun look for a different instructor and go into to the lesson with a plan. True dat!!!
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Post by colchar on Jun 11, 2010 12:33:24 GMT -5
Thanks folks. I've found a guy reasonably close to here so we'll see how things go with him.
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Post by Happy Jack on Jun 13, 2010 12:38:08 GMT -5
I have one hour lessons but that includes a bit of a jam, a bit of theory and learning something new
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Post by colchar on Jun 14, 2010 21:26:48 GMT -5
The guy I've picked does one hour lessons but he does them every two weeks rather than every week so it works out the same over the course of a month.
I had the first lesson tonight and really liked the guy. He explains things well, is very easy going, and made the lesson enjoyable. I've got some stuff to work on over the next two weeks but I'm already looking forward to my next lesson!
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nashvegas
Junior Member
American Standard 3 tone
Posts: 50
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Post by nashvegas on Jun 15, 2010 19:53:36 GMT -5
I'll be glad when my local pro has an opening which matches my schedule. I'm jealous of you guys.
Did I tell you I traded my strat project for a Thinline? Great guitar.
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Post by 469roadking on Jun 15, 2010 20:04:59 GMT -5
Aaaaaand one more Strat bites the dust in favor of a Tele. Seems to be a trend. Colchar, glad you liked the lesson. I love taking lessons myself. How did he start you out?
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Post by colchar on Jun 17, 2010 11:37:28 GMT -5
He started out by discussing guitar, why I wanted to learn how to play, what my goals were, etc.
He then asked me to play chords that I knew just so that he could see where I was at with those. He then showed me easier ways to play some chords such playing the A major chord as a barre chord rather than with three fingers which I had previously been avoiding doing as my barre chords sound like hell but he watched my fingers closely and said not to worry, that he could see I was capable of doing it, and that doing them properly would come in time.
He then asked me to play some simple stuff using single notes to see where I was at with that.
We then worked on chords and chord changes and he wrote out the chords he would like me to try to memorize (some majors, some minors, and some dominant 7ths). We tried each of them individually and then he wrote out some exercises for me to work on between lessons which are designed to improve my chord changes. We went over those exercises once or twice and then started discussing reading music. Before I knew it the lesson was over!
He also had me playing through a tube amp he has set up there and it sounded soooooo much better than a SS amp that I now want one bad. Even a cheap tube amp to get me by for the moment would make me happy so I'm now searching around for one.
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Post by colchar on Jun 17, 2010 11:38:45 GMT -5
I'll be glad when my local pro has an opening which matches my schedule. I'm jealous of you guys. Aren't you in Nashville? I would think there are literally hundreds of pros offering lessons there.
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