32 Y/o Starting...how To Find Teacher???

[Badlands]

Hi All:

This would be my first post. Great site here. I woulda thrown this up in the beginner forum, but thought I would ask the pros...:cool:

ME: 32 year old who should have picked up a guitar a long time ago. Absolute Springsteen-aholic since I saw him and the boys play when I was 14. Now have a wife, 14 mos. old daughter, and a desire to learn how to play.

Bought a new Fender Tele and a small Peavey practice amp.

I have tried 2 instructors. One is a very well respected guitar player in the SF Bay area, where I live. Did not "click" with him. Other is about 25-30 y/o who will come to the house and charges about one half what the pro charges (and I gotta go to his studio).

The question is this: How do I decide, and should I keep looking?

The reason I am asking is because I was a ski instructor and a professional soccer player in my earlier years, when I had a life:p

I noticed that the best skiers/players were not always the best teachers/instructors. While I think you need a certain level of expertise to qualify to lead by example correctly, do you, in the guitar world, need "the best" guitar player around to teach you beginning guitar lessons...:confused: :confused: :confused:

Thanks all, and any input would be greatly appreciated. Sorry so long of a post :rolleyes:

Jay

[popmusic_sux]

i guess a guitar teacher should be someone you are comfortable with, someone that is patient with you if you just cant seem to grasp the concept of something, and teaches you techniques you would need, as well as the theory behind what you are playing. and i would want a teacher that would puch me as far as i can go, that way i wouldnt be discouraged to put down the guitar right away. and most but not least, the teacher has got to make it fun.

i guess that would be my criteria for a teacher if that helps you out at all.

rock on

[bogaerts]

I like what popmusic said. I also thought it was interesting that he never mentioned anything about the teacher being able to play perfectly (I don't think it is necessary for a teacher to play like the hottest guitar player in the world to be able to teach well). In anything, it takes more to be a teacher than just playing well. I feel they are two seperate things. If you find a good teacher who also plays well, then great, otherwise I would go for the teacher with patience, knowlege, and takes you where you want to go (chances are he will play pretty darn good anyway but look for those qualities first).
All that aside, congrats on taking up the guitar. I think you can do it at any age. About a year ago, my wife, at 38....decided she wanted to play the bass. She has done a great job and is on her way to becoming a good bass player. She had a bit of a teacher problem at first, you know, one of those guys who can play but can't teach (I was teaching her). Together, we both learned....I became better at teaching and she is learning the bass. Anyway, you already made the best decision you could make.......get a Tele and a Peavey amp! I have the same setup, and I love it....wouldnt change a thing. Good luck!

[kai_subfusc]

i guess different people have different requirements as students. some people need the teacher to push them, some requires patience. some just need a little spark and their off..some learn faster with more hands on than theory... it just depends what kinda learning style u have... then try ta a get a teacher that suits yar taht way

[duffhackymaster]

I found you can learn by being the teacher.
Try finding someone with less skill than you and teach them.

[kai_subfusc]

or u can screw the teachers and learn from this cool website. www.cyberfret.com !!!
i think when you learn by yourself, you learn at your own pace, you are more comfortable with yourself playing, (sometimes students embaressed to play in front of teach, they lose out) and when u figure out something or grasp the concept for something it sticks with you. with everything spoonfed by teachers, i feel (purely wad i feel) it will just make u lazy. when u find hard and try hard to figure out something and u finally do it.. its satisfying..and it sticks in u. you can also learn what u want first..etc..
if u meet any problems u can always ask the friendly ppl at cyberfret!

[duffhackymaster]

cyberfret has awsome lessons! Use the site as your teacher. Costs alot less.

[kai_subfusc]

yeah..i've never gotten a teacher before..(except once, it was onli once and it was this lead guitarist from this local band that i admired alot..so well..)..and i'm so freakin pro now..hehe

[duffhackymaster]

try guitarnoise.com if youve read all the articles here. There nice too.

[kai_subfusc]

hmm..nvr heard of guitarnoise..gotta go check it out man...
heres another one...it was my bible..for awhile
www.wholenote.com

[Badlands]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has responded to this or one of my other posts. I really appreciate the advice, and have taken it into account when making decisions.

Also, another props to this site, it is one of a kind and draws a good crowd. Whoever is running this thing...NICE JOB.

Thanks again,

Jay

[wild_axeman]

duffhackymaster wrote:

I found you can learn by being the teacher.
Try finding someone with less skill than you and teach them.

That is SO true!

Learn for free on the internet there's plenty of good resources.Then go into forums and help out beginners and it'll really reinforce what you know (or what you think you know) and if you're wrong about something someone better than you will definately set you straight. You'll continue to learn and reinforce what you've learned and in no time you will KNOW what you are talking about.And along the way you'll pick up all sorts of good practice tips and advice too so you'll be able to apply what you learn.

Nothing wrong with a teacher though if you can afford it.It's hard to beat someone better than you teaching you stuff one on one with your guitar right there and a teacher will have one too and you can watch and copy.

[keyplyr]

You can use this (free) Music Teacher Locator (http://www.apassion4jazz.net/teacher_locator.html). Just enter your zip code to find a teacher/school near you.

[popmusic_sux]

Originally posted by keyplyr
You can use this (free) Music Teacher Locator (http://www.apassion4jazz.net/teacher_locator.html). Just enter your zip code to find a teacher/school near you.

haha i just tried that for kicks, it didnt list the guy i used to go to (and am now going just to get as much learning in before i leave for school.) it DID list my old piano teacher though :rolleyes:

[keyplyr]

haha i just tried that for kicks, it didnt list the guy i used to go to (and am now going just to get as much learning in before i leave for school.)

Tell him to sign up, it's free :)

[dudetoby]

go with your instincts, whoever your comfortable with.

toby