What To Expect From Guitar Lessons
If you are starting the guitar and are considering taking guitar lessons, you may be wondering what playing the guitar and guitar lessons will actually be like, and how the learning process will go. While all teachers teach the guitar in their own ways, I can describe the way I teach guitar and what to expect.
What type of guitar should I play? - Before you even begin guitar lessons, you will need a guitar to use. Depending upon what types of music you are most interested in playing, the three main types of guitars you can choose from are acoustic (steel string), electric, or classical (nylon string). While all three types of guitars can be played with only the fingers, acoustic and electric guitars are also often played with a pick. Both acoustic and electric guitars can play a wide variety of styles, but classical guitars are used in fewer genres, often in classical or folk music. While both acoustic and classical guitars have a hollow body to amplify their sound, electric guitars need an amplifier to make a sufficient sound. The neck and fretboard also feel and play slightly different depending upon the style and model of guitar, so it’s best to choose a guitar that is best able to make the kind of sound you like and also feels good to play. You can start guitar lessons with any type of guitar and still get the basics of how to play, so if you happen to already have a guitar you should be able to start with the one you have, and you can always get a different guitar later should a different one suit you later on. Also, kids around age 6 to 12 often need a fractional sized guitar, but anyone older than that should be able to use a full size guitar.
Buying a guitar - You should try out different guitars and see which ones you like best before buying one. A guitar should have a rich and resonant tone, and should feel nice to play. Make sure the guitar has no obvious defects or cracks, has no rough or uneven edges, that every note on every fret does not buzz, and that the strings are at the correct height. While some of those issues can be fixed by a repairperson, it’s best to find a guitar that is already in good condition. It’s also a good idea to get a second opinion from an experienced guitar player if you are new to guitar, so you can make sure you are buying a quality guitar. While there is a wide price range for guitars, it is best to avoid the very cheapest ones, as those are often barely playable, sound terrible, and will make playing more frustrating than needed. If a new guitar is out of your price range, a used guitar can also be a good choice, but just make sure that it is in good condition.
Guitar lessons - When a student first starts lessons with me, I ask them what their goals in playing are and what type of music they want to learn, and I adjust my teaching curriculum to the needs of each student accordingly. If a student is completely new to the guitar, the first lesson consists of how the guitar works, how to hold it correctly, basic playing techniques, and often a beginning song. Later on, students will learn more pieces of music, chords and scales, different playing techniques, basic music theory, and learn how to read music through standard notion, tablature, or chord symbols. Learning how to improvise guitar solos can also be learned once a student feels comfortable with the basics. If a new student has already been playing for a while, we can continue with learning more repertoire, more chords and scales, music theory, and advancing as a guitar player. Learning the guitar takes time, so spending enough time practicing at home, and being patient with the learning process are the most important things you can do when taking guitar lessons.