Top 10 Things to Look For in Your Next Guitar Teacher

1) Experience – How long has your instructor been teaching? If this is his or her first year, he might not have a “flow” yet. While teachers should tailor each lesson to the individual, experience will help the instructor explain things in a way that fits each student’s learning style.

2) Education – Does your instructor have a college degree in music or is he a self-taught musician with his own ideas? College educated musicians may have also taken courses in pedagogy which is the study of teaching. College educated instructor may charge higher rates, but they generally have more knowledge as well.

3) Price – The economy isn’t in the best place right now and maybe cost is a determining factor. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Sure you’ll find $8 an hour teachers, but they might be charging this because it is the only way they can obtain lessons. Their education and experience may not be a big enough argument to bring in new students. On the other end, you will find $80 an hour teachers who are very serious about their job and have the education and background to entice prospective students. Believe it or not, instructors that charge this rate are generally booked solid!

4) Dedication – There are a lot of music teachers out there that use lessons to make a little bit of extra money. There are a lot of piano teachers out there that are housewives trying to earn some extra income. They may not be professional musicians but they enjoy what they do. There are also professional teachers that make a living off solely off of teaching. They have a student base to support their lifestyle and it’s what they love to do.

5) Teaching style – Does your instructor like to talk or play more? Does he or she focus on theory, technique, and performance? Does he prefer to teach with progressive exercises or does he prefer to teach with songs? Maybe a combination of both?

6) Number of students – The number of students a music instructor has can speak volumes about how good he or she is. Many teachers receive students via referral so if an instructor has a lot of students, chances are a lot of students were referred to him

7) Location – Many people want an instructor close to them. Large cities have instructors in just about every area so chances are, you won’t have to drive far to get to your teacher.

8 ) Student-teacher chemistry – This may be one of the most important aspects of your choosing an instructor. If the chemistry is awkward, you may not learn as well or you may not feel comfortable with the lessons. A good rapport is essential for a good lesson.

9) Musical Style – Does your instructor teach the style you want to learn? You wouldn’t want classical guitar lessons from a guitar teacher who only plays rock and roll.

10) Availability – Is your instructor available at optimal hours? Maybe you can only make lessons on weekends. A lot of instructors do not teach on weekends, but if you’re lucky enough to find one, that is a big plus. Maybe you like early morning lessons at 7 am. Some instructors teach late at night.