So, you found yourself a Guitar teacher. "What next?" you wonder as you eagerly await your first lesson. As an informed consumer, the next question you'd be well advised to ask yourself is, "Is this teacher going to be right for me?". Why? Because all teachers are definitely NOT created equal, and teachers of any kind have a HUGE impact on you, especially your first teachers. Your education began with your parents, and I can't tell you how many students have told me, with absolute certainty, that they have a "tin ear", "can't hold a tune in a bucket", or have "absolutely NO musical ability". (If so, why even bother coming to me? I think something deeper in them is at work). Where did they get such low musical self-esteem? Parents? First teachers? I don't want to point fingers, but if you believe these kinds of things about yourself, think back to where you heard it. I can tell you this; in many cases, these students proved themselves wrong!

In large class situations (virtually ALL education systems, public or private), a teacher's workload is ridiculously unrealistic. They just don't have the time to give you essential individual attention that, no matter how smart you are, you'll at least occasionally need. We're all unique. Each of us takes in information in a unique way, relying on the sense, or combination of senses (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) that is strongest in us, that works best for us (See my Learning Styles Inventory ). In school, the teacher you remember as your favourite probably had found some way to present the curriculum in a way that covered the broad range of learning styles, and, like Mr. Holland (see my previous post), was willing to devote extra time and attention focusing on students who still weren't "getting it". In all my Primary, High School, and College experiences, I can recall only two teachers who were that dedicated - of course they were my favourites!

What these exceptional teachers passed on to me wasn't so much information as it was enthusiasm, the love of learning for its own sake, and the sense that they really did care about ME. They made learning fun, and let's face it, "If it ain't fun, what's the point?". Yes, learning is also work, but when work is fun, it seems to just almost magically get done (and if it's your job we're talking about, the paycheck becomes gravy, not the only reason you're there). Fun is the key, and any teacher who can help you make learning Guitar fun is probably going to give you more than your money's worth, and definitely more than you expected to get out of it.

BUT: A teacher can't know everything; no teacher, even the exceptional ones, can teach you what s/he doesn't know (or like), so you have to audition the teacher (s/he WILL be working for YOU, after all, and it's good to think of it this way) and maybe try a few until you find one you feel is feeding you well... even if only to get the best bang for your buck, which can get pretty pricey over the long haul. You don't always "get what you pay for" in the real world; would you buy a car if it didn't suit your needs? Trust yourself, and... good hunting!

~~~tod~~~