What makes a good student-teacher relationship?

[ssiowi]

Hi all:

I feel happy for several reasons to make this inquiry. The topic: what makes a good student-teacher relationship? This is a broad topic with several layers supporting it. How does a person studying the guitar decide its time for personal instruction? What qualities should a student measure in prospective instructors?

While several other supporting questions come to mind, I'll stop there. I simply wanted to start your minds thinking on this topic so that I can read your replies. That will further my thinking. Of course, it bears mention that instructors can ask the same questions regarding students. That's the point, in my mind. As a student, I want to bring as much to the relationship as possible.

I feel excited to read your anecdotes, advice and protestations.

All the best from the Pacific Northwest,

David

[cyberfret]

I really hope some other people post their experiences on this subject. The perspective that I am going to give you is from that of a guitar teacher. Besides being webmaster of Cyberfret.com, my real job is that of a private guitar instructor.

Finding a good teacher can be difficult, I hear horror stories all the time. There are some really great teachers out there, and some really bad ones.

Keep in mind that playing ability and teaching ability are 2 different skills. I would look into how long they have been teaching, in addition to how long they have been playing. Sometimes your local guitar hero who plays 6 nights a week in the bars is not the best choice. They are more concerned with there own playing career than teaching you how to play. There are teachers out there that make teaching a main focus. I would ask the teacher about what styles they teach. Since there is not really certification of any kind to let you know that a guitar teacher is qualified, look into their music education background. Do they have a degree in music. They do not have to have a degree to be an excellent player and teacher, but this is just another thing you might look into.

Do some research on the teachers in your area. Never look just at price, you might get what you pay for. You might even ask for a resume'. Then take a full 2 months worth of lessons, then evaluate continuing at that time. Do what they say....practice what they say to practice. I have students come in, take lessons, and do not practice the things that I tell them. Then they quit and "private lessons didn't help me". I tell my private student to think of their time with me as boot camp. While taking lessons, they should make a serious effort get on a good practice schedule and practice what I give them.

Here is a little scaled down version of my resume'. I give a resume' to all of my student so that they know what my background is.
http://www.cyberfret.com/about/index.php

Also check out this link for some more ideas on how to find a good teacher.
http://www.guitarprinciples.com/Taking%20Lessons/Taking%20Lessons.htm

--Shawn

[ssiowi]

Hi Shawn:

I've replied to the forum expressing my thanks to you in sight of the community. My plan is to proceed just as you have proposed. If only you lived in Portland but hey; I'll find a match. Someday, you should host annual events in your area. Forum folks would visit to meet, to play and to hear music. I'd attend for sure.

Happy wishes from the Great Pacific Northwest!