Topic: first lesson

what would you say / do / advise / to a complete newbe on his first lesson

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Re: first lesson

I teach them to spell out the open strings, the numbers 1-6 of the strings, how to fret a note, a finger exercise and I see if I can get them to play a chord. If they can I'll start them on some type of chord song or if they can't handle full chords I'll teach them one or two finger chords. I'll have them work on a chord song with these. Another thing I may do is start them on a melody from a method book I use.

I also ask them to bring in a list of song they would like to do for the next lesson and I try to come up with an easy version of one of the songs they want to learn. I may also suggest a song that I know would work well with them.

Re: first lesson

Are you taing up teaching polyal?

Thumbs up Thumbs down

4 (edited by polyal 09-12-10 23:55:49)

Re: first lesson

just wondered if theres a magic fomula to keep a newbee motivated
most kids want to learn the guitar because its ' cool '
..they have a couple of lessons then cant remember why they wanted to be a
guitarwhatsit in the first place

i had one 13yr old ( on his first lesson ) that didn't want to learn any chords because he
had promised to play lead git  with a band the following weekend

i wonder how many newbees have packed up after 1 lesson

to waffle a bit:
when parents push there offspring into learning an instrument..does this produce
talented players or people that can just play  instruments

whats the difference between a talented musician and a musician

to waffle a bit more
is a shred player ( 20,000 notes per sec ) more talented than any other git player
that can only play whats regarded as normal

what is talent?????

Thumbs up Thumbs down

5

Re: first lesson

what is talent?????

In my mind talent is natural,  default/hmm
anything else you get taught, your as good as your teacher,


http://s4.postimage.org/jf7xid0k/Dude.gif

I didn't get where I am today,
by being somewhere else.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Re: first lesson

I suppose it's like anything - some people want to know the advanced stuff without knowing the basics. When I was younger a friend wouldn't leave me alone because he wanted me to show him how to play the intro to "sweet child o mine" - problem was he couldn't play at all and thought that he could just learn where to put his fingers and play a bit of GnR.

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Re: first lesson

Whether a student has natural talent or not makes not difference. You need to teach both of them. They both have their benefits and challenges. Most students will be in the second group.

The only secret formula is to give them a little of what they want and have them do a little of what you want them to do. You tell them ok we will work on that as long as you also work on this.

It's just a simple fact that if they are not enjoying there selves they will eventually quit. I recommend to anybody that they should be working on something they really enjoy within their daily practice routine. If all you do is scales and exercises everyday you will burn out and maybe even quit after awhile. Everything you work on will not be a load of fun but having something in your routine that you really enjoy doing is essential to keep you motivated.

So if there is a secret to teaching that would be it. Make sure they are working on something they enjoy along with the other things that may not be so fun to work on.

Re: first lesson

i usually focus on teaching him the notes on the fretboard.

The note values so that i can get hm used to playing with a metronome from start.

And i give him some relaxation exercises so he doesn't get into the habit of playing tensed.

My method is oriented on combining music theory, ear training and guitar technique. A song is a song, but with the theory behind it, you can then learn 1000 songs and composes some of your own.

Of course for the students that have the goal of being able to play their favorite songs and want to learn how to read tabs i have a different approach. 

But i always learn them note values at the first lessons. They are essential. Personally i can't  stand the videos where they count in up and down strumming when it would be easier to say that those are 8th notes and so on.

At least that is my opinion

www.guitarlearningtips.org - my website


The Guitar Blueprint to Success - my free 57 pages and 6 chapter Ebook

Thumbs up Thumbs down

9 (edited by don p 12-12-10 18:25:20)

Re: first lesson

The key here though is balance. You need to make sure they are playing some actual music along with learning theory and the other things. Most of the students that come in the door will never go on to become professional musicians. They just want to learn to play their favorite songs. If this is not part of their lessons there is a good chance that after awhile they will leave. When their friend who is taking lessons for this other guy can already play 10 songs and all this kid can do is play exercises it won't be long before they leave and move onto the other teacher. I wish more students realized the importance of learning this stuff but all they really care about it playing the songs.

Even with advanced students I need to remind them to put some actual music in their routines. I stress the importance of applying all their techniques to actual improvising, creating their own songs or analyzing there favorite songs. Over and over I have got intermediate to advanced students that can't understand why they are stuck and can't make it to the next level. They say they practice for 2-3 hours a day but they seem to be getting nowhere. The first thing I ask is do they have some actual playing of music in there practice routine.  Many times they don't. It's easy to get into a rut of doing nothing but practicing exercises, working on theory and so on but forget why they are doing all of this. It's to play music!

I tell all of my students no matter if they are a beginner or and advanced player that it is essential to have something in your routine that is just plain fun to do. This is essential for keeping your inspiration up. Just playing scales and exercises will burn you out and ultimately turn playing the guitar into a chore rather then something fun to do.

My approach is to combine both approaches into one. We always work on something I think they need to work on like some theory, technique or ear training type stuff and also a song they like or having them create a song of their own.

I also make sure when possible to take what we are working on and have them do something musical with it. There is alot of improvising and composing in my lessons in both lead and rhythm. Just learning techniques is useless. You need to know how to apply these techniques to actual music.

So the key to keeping your students is a balance of a little of what they want and a little of what you want. Also always keep reminding them of why they are working on all these things you are giving them to do. It's to play actual music!

10 (edited by GuitarTutorHelp 13-12-10 06:04:26)

Re: first lesson

Great post.  For the first lesson, I suggest getting to know the student and making them feel as comfortable as possible.  You can briefly talk about their goals and inspirations.

When I start instructing on the first lesson, this is generally the order I teach things (assuming they're starting from scratch!)

1) Parts on the guitar
2) String names & numbers
3) Basics of picking, strumming, fretting
4) Basic scale or exercise
5) An easy riff (such as "Smoke on the Water")

Of course the items above can be customized or added to based on the
lesson and/or time available.

Good luck!   default/cool

Also, what are you planning for their following lesson(s)?

Re: first lesson

what would you do ( say ) if the following lesson they came back ..couldn't remember the guitar parts
didn't know the string names numbers..in effect hadn't learnt anything.

how tactful would you be
http://s1.postimage.org/2jc6bautg/hammer.gif
http://s1.postimage.org/2jdn8hymc/banghead.gif

Thumbs up Thumbs down

12

Re: first lesson

Make them learn it again! This is where working on something they want works to your benefit. You can tell them they need to work on this stuff before we move onto the next part in the song. It becomes a good bargaining chip.

There are certain things you can let go and others they just plain need to know. Learning the names of the strings and the numbering them is something they need to do. It's not that hard. If they can't do that then all I can say is good luck with them. Do you give them a sentence for memorizing the strings?

Re: first lesson

i dont teach professionally...only when asked as a favour...so i say when you think you know most of that
we'll move on with another lesson ..unless .....the've got genuine problems

i usually start the same as you but chuck in a couple of easy open chords

Thumbs up Thumbs down

Re: first lesson

I think it's a good idea to subtly reinforce yourself as an authority figure, somewhere between the lines of the friendly next door neighbor and mother superior.  When I start out with students I try to get an idea of their personality, and initially I mirror, it in the following ways.

If they are shy, I encourage them and don't push too much, let them warm up to me.
If they are distracted easily, I am firm and unyielding, so they get used to taking instruction from me.  I've also played the "Hey you're the boss" reverse psychology card, and asked them to tell me what I should teach them.  (Of course this throws them, because how are they supposed to know what I should teach?) and it usually works, because they realize quickly that someone needs to lead, and it's not them. 
If they are outgoing, I'm friendly but firm, keeping a constant balance between the two.

One you establish this, its easier to teach.  In all cases, they have to become used to and expect to be taking instruction from me, and that I am in control of the process.  Once they get that, in one way or the other, it does go well.  Im speaking primarily with the absolute beginners.

I also find that if you dont have buy in from the parents, in that they insist that the kid do his practice and homework, you're going to have an uphill climb.  So here's the real truth, guitar lessons arent for everyone, and with kids theres only so much you can do with a kid that doesnt practice or do his homework, and where the parents are lax to non existent in reinforcing that.  You have to get them involved early.  Know this can backfire, in that the parent thinks that the child simply doesn't like you or like lessons, and fail to see that it takes a degree of discipline to learn the guitar.  Too many parents these days rarely discipline their kids at all.  Those that do, are a much better long term prospect.

Instructor

http://rnbacademy.com

Online Guitar Academy

Thumbs up Thumbs down

15 (edited by opusmusic 28-07-11 00:04:23)

Re: first lesson

One suggestion I would have when you are a new teacher, is to maintain a professional studio.  Clean up, put away clutter, and make a welcoming, clean, and professional environment.  Putting your college diploma framed on the wall is a nice touch (especially if you majored in music).  Have a clean waiting area for parents without distractions from pets.  This will hopefully increase your sign-up rate of music students after the first lesson.  Good luck!

-Theresa Chen
Los Angeles Music Teacher

16

Re: first lesson

I definitely have to agree with every thing said but in my case I have this little shelty that is a huge hit with my students and their parents. Generally I do agree about animals though. If you have a big slobbering dog it may not be a good idea to keep them in the waiting area.

Re: first lesson

You are right about the song incorporation into the practice routine.

I usually show some riffs that can help them master some techniques, being in a musical context helps them see mastering the riff more fun

www.guitarlearningtips.org - my website


The Guitar Blueprint to Success - my free 57 pages and 6 chapter Ebook

Thumbs up Thumbs down