Today there exists more options and ways to learn guitar then there did even a few years ago. With the invention of the internet, social networks and online forums, there is a wealth of resources just waiting to be shared. For many people who are first starting out or with no previous experience of playing music the number of options available can seem daunting. I'm here to offer the following advice for those who wish to see their guitar playing dreams become a reality.
Set goals for your music/guitar playing.
If you know where you want to go with your music you will go further, period. Setting goals is simple, all you need is a single page of A4 paper or page from a note pad. Write down what you would like to learn on guitar and some provisional dates for achieving this (working with an experienced tutor will help you clarify this). Depending on what you want to achieve will affect what you will be working towards, for example someone who wants to be the next heavy metal guitar hero will have a different set of goals to someone who wants to play finger picking style like Paul Simon or Jack Johnson. Once you have a big goal you work on smaller goals each week to bring you towards your big goal. If you know what you want you will get there faster.
Study a syllabus that will help you reach your goals.
There are still some myths out there that studying 'grades' is only for 'classical' musicians, and that graded syllabus is hard or boring. I will be upfront here and and tell you that nothing can be further from the truth. There is syllabus that has been written specially for the Rock and Pop musician in mind, that develops your musical skills in an even an measurable way. If you are learning for fun these books are a measure of achievement and progress. If you do decide to enter the optional grade exams it's worth knowing that the certificates are recognised by education authorities, acting as a passport to GCSE, BTEC, A-Level and Degree courses. For those of you that still doubt the validity and usefulness of graded syllabus, many top professional musicians in the industry endorse graded syllabus by boards such as RockSchool and RGT. Following in their footsteps will help make you more successful on guitar.
Find a good guitar teacher to study with.
Choosing a tutor to guide you through the exciting (and sometimes confusing) world of music is a big investment and you will want to make sure that you choose someone who will get you the results you want. Here are some things to consider:
How long have they been teaching & what teaching experience do they have?
What professional qualifications or experience do they have for the instrument they teach?
Do they have a CRB or ISA certificate to prove that they can work safely & responsibly with young people?
What results have they achieved with previous students?
What do current students have to say about them?
Do they offer a free trial lesson?
How much should you pay for music lessons? This is a personal choice. Prices can vary with some tutors or music schools charging up to £50 an hour or more, and others charging less than £20 for the same lesson time. You may not need to hire the services of (insert name of your favorite celebrity virtuoso guitarist here) but cheapest is not always best either, as lack of professional experience or knowledge may cause problems that may need to be corrected in future and cost you more money long term. At the time of writing this article the Musicians Union in London recommend £27 for a one hour lesson for individuals.
Tips for finding suitable professional teachers in your local area include doing a google search for guitar lessons in your area/city/town, Checking local colleges to see if they offer courses or searching tutor databases supplied by professional organisations such as Registry of Guitar Tutors.
If you are based in the Southampton and looking for guitar lessons check out my website for resources and special offers.
Practice.Practising the guitar is fun. It is a chance for you to spend quality time honing a new skill and taking time off from your regular daily schedules. The reason why some people may dread the P word is down to working on the wrong stuff or having tasks that are either too easy (boring, not enough challenge) or too difficult (ouch, why can't I see any progress for my efforts?) for their current level. The biggest practice pitfall I have observed with students of all levels is lack of consistency in practice. They feel that if they miss their practice for the week that they can make up the time at the weekend for a few hours, the way someone may deal with writing an assignment for work or college. Unfortunately this strategy doesn't work for music.The truth is that nothing will develop you faster than regular consistent practice everyday. Try to set aside some time each day. 15 – 20 minutes at the same time each day will achieve more results than playing for 3 – 4 hours the day before the next lesson. I will repeat this point as it's very important; 15 – 20 minutes each day will achieve more results than playing for 3 – 4 hours the day before the next lesson.
Reward Yourself!Playing music is all about having fun and expressing yourself. It can involve a lot of dedication to work towards your ultimate goals, so acknowledge any improvements and achievements you may make such as mastering 'that cool lick', gaining a grade certificate or learning a new song. I have a collection of songbooks in my music room and often like to finish off a practice sessions by just playing through or jamming a song. Make you time spent playing music fun and rewarding.
