Guitar Tuition

[Dave the Smeghead]

The registry of guitar teachers aka the RGT has a list of teachers in your area. However, not all teachers will be on it. I'm not, for example, because I'm not actively searching for students.
I won't get on my soap box about the quality of teachers out there, but if I remember rightly you have to be "seconded" to get onto the RGT list.
Good luck!

I second the jamming comment.

I am largely self taught (used jusstinguitar on you tube a lot). I took lessons but never found time to practice enough in-between lessons. I would often be away and preferred learning at my own pace...subsequently I am a crap player, I can play about 5 tunes, some very complex (nothng else matters by Metallica is a fave) but only parrot fashion, I have awful technique and suffer performance anxiety (even if playing in front of the kids).

If I had committed or joined a band, I would be a much better player.

The beat players I know play almost every day and often in front of an audience.

I must dust the guitar off tonight

I will give the RGT a try - thank you

I use justinguitar and even bought his song book. Sometimes I find the short format videos a little too short. Overall I do rate his teaching, and enjoy trying to play along.

I guess jamming sessions with other guitarist could be the way to go.

Tommy Emanuel - watch your back - I am coming to steal your crown! As if I ever could - have you heard that man play......

 

[Stephen C]

Most days I try to squeeze in at least 15 minutes of focussed practice (away from my family and other distractions), and then try to find an hour at least twice per week.
I took some advice from Griff Hamlin (blues guitarist) that was to just have the guitar around and pick it up as often as possible - his trick was to play through the commercial breaks when watching TV. That kind of works too except I get shouted at a lot when I do it.

When I was a student I did this all the time, whenever I watched a program I had my guitar and just played along/over any music the was in the program, great training for your ear!

The other thing that came to mind is to just enjoy what you play and the sounds that come out! I only have to plug my guitar into my amp, play anything and the sound just gets me excited and I can easily lose an hour!

 

[Saluki]

If it helps.
Our lot charge £15 for a 30 minute lesson or £25 for an hour (Unless it's the boss and then its £30 for an hour). It seems to be about the going rate for decent teachers.
There is a bloke locally, who charges a tenner an hour. I got sent along (with a tenner) to check him out and taught him She Sells Sanctuary. A tenner well spent that
What I'm saying is, Beware the cheap teachers. It's all well and good being able to play but can they actually teach?

We've got Guthrie Govan doing us a Masterclass in the autumn, if you fancy an evening in Norfolk in a few months

 

[jazzkat]

I had some lessons a couple of years ago but £20 for half an hour was a bit steep!

I remember paying £20 for a full hour with my tutor & this rising to around £22 just prior to giving it all up *Junior arrived & that as they say was the end of that*.

A lot of tutors around the NW of England charge around £25 for a 40 > 45 minute lesson & I am not sure of current rates or differences in the South.

What I will say is that a very good tutor is worth a pot of gold.

If it helps.
Our lot charge £15 for a 30 minute lesson or £25 for an hour (Unless it's the boss and then its £30 for an hour). It seems to be about the going rate for decent teachers.
There is a bloke locally, who charges a tenner an hour. I got sent along (with a tenner) to check him out and taught him She Sells Sanctuary. A tenner well spent that
What I'm saying is, Beware the cheap teachers. It's all well and good being able to play but can they actually teach?

I can't remember, but I think the Musician Union have the hourly teaching rate at £30ph. It never ceases to amaze me how much people bemoan having to pay for good tuition. Have you seen the price of plumbers/car mechanics etc.
I've spent four years at music college, a year at teacher training college and have over 30 years 'on the job' experience. I've performed all over Europe and all of the big concert halls in the UK (no I'm not famous - and I wouldn't want to be). I still practice at least an hour a day and I am constantly evaluating/re-evaluating my work......
Yet people will still moan about how much it costs to employ me! On the dark days it makes me want to chuck it all in and do something that people will actually appreciate. (my neighbour is a window cleaner and he charges me £10 for the 15/20mins it takes to clean my windows, he does a good job )
By all means pay someone who can only just string together two or three barre chords, a couple of quid but as Saluki and Ste have posted, you'll make massive leaps in ability if you go to someone who not only knows what they are talking about, but can actually teach as well!!


Sorry, it's getting near the end of term, rant over, soap box away.
As you were!

 

[Dave 123]

I can't remember, but I think the Musician Union have the hourly teaching rate at £30ph. It never ceases to amaze me how much people bemoan having to pay for good tuition. Have you seen the price of plumbers/car mechanics etc.
I've spent four years at music college, a year at teacher training college and have over 30 years 'on the job' experience. I've performed all over Europe and all of the big concert halls in the UK (no I'm not famous - and I wouldn't want to be). I still practice at least an hour a day and I am constantly evaluating/re-evaluating my work......
Yet people will still moan about how much it costs to employ me! On the dark days it makes me want to chuck it all in and do something that people will actually appreciate. (my neighbour is a window cleaner and he charges me £10 for the 15/20mins it takes to clean my windows, he does a good job )
By all means pay someone who can only just string together two or three barre chords, a couple of quid but as Saluki and Ste have posted, you'll make massive leaps in ability if you go to someone who not only knows what they are talking about, but can actually teach as well!!


Sorry, it's getting near the end of term, rant over, soap box away.
As you were!

My house Tuesday nights, I'll give you free tea too?

 

[Saluki]

My house Tuesday nights, I'll give you free tea too?

Might be a rough commute from Cumbria though. You might have to chuck in a bed for the night and breakfast as well

 

[Dave 123]

Might be a rough commute from Cumbria though. You might have to chuck in a bed for the night and breakfast as well

That's getting pricey.....

 

[jazzkat]

That's getting pricey.....

Ahh, but I'm worth it

 

[Stephen C]

That's getting pricey.....

I'll go halves, I'm free on Tuesday's as well.

 

[Dave 123]

Actually I've had a good night tonight with Mick the bass player, my voice was half decent too..... Imagine if I had you here @jazzkat, I'd be the new Jason Donavan!

 

[Stephen C]

Actually I've had a good night tonight with Mick the bass player, my voice was half decent too..... Imagine if I had you here @jazzkat, I'd be the new Jason Donavan!

Didn't he have hair though?

 

[Dave 123]

Didn't he have hair though?

No need for that......

 

[tyred]

Most days I try to squeeze in at least 15 minutes of focussed practice (away from my family and other distractions), and then try to find an hour at least twice per week.
I took some advice from Griff Hamlin (blues guitarist) that was to just have the guitar around and pick it up as often as possible - his trick was to play through the commercial breaks when watching TV. That kind of works too except I get shouted at a lot when I do it.

COnsider bagpipes and that way you will drown them out

 

[Hulk_slogan]

Ah I play guitar too. The electric type

I've been playing almost 10 years, but 9 of those have been 'self taught'. Very hard to motivate myself though, I just want to crank it to 11 and let rip.

Only in the last year have I actually tried learning theory. I know basic chords and the minor pentatonic, but have little idea how they are used!

Justinguitar is great, and I've picked up loads of skills by learning metallica solos. Very blues influenced like most metal solo stuff!

Im in the same boat, i cant improvise for crap, and although I can sit and learn a song from a video on youtube and spend weeks/months practicing it, I still have no idea how to just 'make stuff up'.

Thats where a guitar teacher is a blessing. You have structure and a learning path. Also they have the ability to point out techniques etc so you can change and try their way as it may make it easier.

Don't get too caught up in 'thats a bad habit' and 'this is the proper way'. Many many world famous guitarists play with whats deemed as bad/sloppy techniques, its really whatever works for you. Try them all over a period and see.

 

[sight-pin]

I'm in the same boat with trying to learn, In my teens we use sheet music from a guy on a stall in Romford Market, just played the chords and worked out some of the picking out from the chords. Used to be the stuff like The Beatles, The Yardbirds, The Animals etc in them days, but that was over 50 years ago and i forgot most now.
I still remember the basic chords and how to tune the guitar, getting a little quicker now as well so all is not lost.
I'd be interested to know how your getting on @Dave the Smeghead?