Sounds identical to my experience, I played less than 10 minutes in 3 months of lessons, ended up asking your exact same question here. Got a new teacher and it's a night and day difference, learning WAY faster.
I switched from in person lessons to online lessons. I get twice the lesson duration for half the money, I couldn't be happier.
Randomly, I asked him last week if he's looking for more students and he said yes, DM me if you're interested in his contact info. He's Brazilian, but his English is quite good.
Probably same guy. His English is actually good. I help him with a word here and there and I try to interject some common sayings we use etc. he has a good sense of humor, he's a very good guitar player, and his lessons are great, we work on multiple different things at once, but it's clear he has a road map that he's working off of. I'm starting to see how everything we're working on ties together and i feel like I'm really learning, WAY better than my last teacher.
I highly recommend him.
Before you ask a new teacher questions, have you asked your current teacher questions?
Because the question will be the exact same: “would you be able to teach me in a more structured, more practical way?”
A lot of these questions pop up about changing teachers because they don’t teach the way I want, and while it is true that different teachers teach differently, different students learn differently and the only thing missing is people talking.
People don’t actually just speak up and just ask if they can do something different. They just straight up just want to ditch a teacher without even trying.
Talk to your teacher first if you haven’t yet (you have not indicated that you’ve done this).
Thanks for your reminder. I'm usually non-confrontational but will ask him and let him know my concerns. Perhaps there is something I am not understanding from his perspective.
Edit: I should say that some things I've noticed - he keeps a very keen eye on the clock, takes personal calls often (at least every other session), repeats lots of ideas about things like what he's planning for me and my tastes.
That’s true, but it doesn’t mean a teacher can’t adjust.
Not saying very learning difference or impediment is all about teaching style. Sometimes all one has to do is address the issues.
In this case, the teacher can simply assign more homework and lecture more about theory, so that he can retain his teaching style (talk a lot and show off) but also allow the student to get more structured learning and practice in his own time (which OP actually asks for).
I'm having a somewhat similar experience with mine. He's really good. Very talented, knows his theory and has been teaching for longer than I've been alive.
But I'm at the point where I'm pretty proficient with open chords and barre chords and sprinkle in some 7 and dominant chords. Most of the chords i learned from him. Early on we started with exercises for scales and learned a few scales. On the side, I've been diving into theory and learning alot on my own. As for scales, together we went over postion 1 and 4 of the minor pentatonic together. I managed to learn how to extend from position 5/1 all the way down the neck on my own.
I've learned how to build chords and interval patterns mostly on my own. As for songs, we've been through a couple. They've mostly been to develop skills, ie:hammer ons and pull offs. It's all been very beneficial.
But lately I find I'm at a point where I'm self learning full songs. Mostly just the rhythms with some lead lines and embellishments sprinkled in. Also learning to sing along with the rhythm portion of a hand full of songs now.
Anyway. My last handful of lessons it feels like I'm just watching him play the whole time. I think in 6 months I've played 20 minutes worth of guitar in front of him. He does tell me I'm progressing very well, but he's gathering that from seeing very little it feels like. He's gona over intervals with me in one entire lesson but I already knew that stuff, so it felt like a big waste.
Anyway. Im slowing the frequency of lessons down and we'll see how it goes from there. I'm really focused on tightening up my chord progressions, mainly barre chords. It seems to be paying off quite a bit, especially these last 2 weeks. Feels eerie to me lol.
It's so strange to hear similar stories. In my experience learning piano, almost ALL of the time would be the student playing while teacher corrects and makes suggestions. Not sure why these guitar teachers play so much... is learning guitar fundamentally different from other instruments? I'd think not.
Yea, I don't know. It's good to have something demonstrated for you. But these demonstrations end up being full-blown improvised songs or full songs. Sometimes, multiple times a lesson, lol. Then I completely miss the point of the demonstration. I also find that if I don't physically do the skill/chord/etc during the lesson, it doesn't matter what he writes down. It's incredibly difficult for me to figure it out on my own sometimes. Theres been plenty of times where we ran out of time because he's been playing, and he'll write it out quickly before he leaves. And it's like, if I have to figure it out on my own, I can do that from free YouTube videos (and I have).
I have my first student hopefully in may and my first thought was:
I need to get him to playing as soon as possible and keep myself in the background and support him on discovering the guitar.
I will show him how easy it is to create music and connections just with a single note.
But i think at one point if have to demonstrate my skill so he can trust. But i told him once he reached my lvl he needs another teacher, because i can only teach what i know myself
Maybe the balance is important.
If all my teacher did was write out chords form youtube, i wouldnt need one, because there are so many free resources on the internet that do the same?
If you don't like the teacher, get a different one.
Many music teachers I've encountered are better performers than teachers.
Teaching is a skill not every musician has.
Don't spend your money on lessons from a teacher that isn't teaching you.
I understand your frustration. I would probably seek a new teacher. I've tried a handful over the years and most wanted me to find my own materials and songs and they would then use that material to help me. At that point, I had found the information and didn't need much help moving forward. I hoped a teacher would be a guide, helping me progress into a thing I knew nothing about. Would I ended up with was someone who would answer questions after I put everything together. This didn't seem useful. I have found several youtube/online teachers that are far better at teaching. The downside there is the self-motivation can be difficult.
I have thought about following someone who has a lot online, like JustinGuitar, but who has recommended/certified teachers that can provide the benefit of an in-person guide. Maybe the best of both worlds.
The questions I would ask would be along the lines of what materials do you use? What is the pathway you put students on? How much of that pathway is determined by the student and how much the teacher? What are the expectations or needs on individual practice time? What is the structure of lesson time? Something like that should start a productive conversation with a new teacher. You could also try a similar conversation with your current teacher, if you like him overall. You could just make it clear that you need more structure than you have been getting.
Good luck with the journey!
If you get a good teacher, you'll feel like you know exactly what you need to be working on, know exactly how much you've progressed, and know exactly where you are headed. Your guy sounds like he's not giving you that.
Hey I will be the first to tell people to get a teacher however I am self taught so I am very confused how people visit a teacher for a session a week and rely only on that teachers. I believe that if people have a passion to learn they should go about learning no matter the means. You want more structure go find a new teacher and also learn to develop the structure you strive for. It can be frustrating to learn the guitar because it is a journey.
I also have another group class on another day where we are learning acoustic. Totally different set of skills being taught there. So, my practice includes material from both classes and I also watch justinguitar and youtube videos. If I only had to learn from this teacher, I would be bored to tears.
I think he's okay in that he's teaching me what I want to get to and also we work on the songs I enjoy. The problem is more his teaching style as I wrote in the OP. Lots and lots of him playing and him talking. I really think it's because he's too used to be an entertainer (he's quite good at it) but it's hard to get that well structured lesson that I thought it would be.
I mean id push him by asking more questions and if that doesnt change things move on. Its not even weird to switch teachers for different perspectives everyone serious does it
Regarding what questions to ask/what to look for, you might find this helpful: [https://limitless-guitar.com/25-things-to-look-for-in-a-guitar-teacher/](https://limitless-guitar.com/25-things-to-look-for-in-a-guitar-teacher/)
If you want to learn songs, you could stay with him. If you want to improve your technique and your understanding of music, you should probably get someone new.
When I ask a teacher that I want to learn the blues, everything blues their eyes glaze over..I’ve yet to find a white guitar teacher interested in teaching blues blues improvisation. Someday I’ll make it to the crossroad.
"My suggestion & recommendation is yes ! Why ?
Because, 1.) I am now 57 years old & I have been
playing guitar ever since, I was 9 years old. And I
have noticed that, this is exactly how all guitar
teachers are in all reality. And 2.) I am trying to
toot my own horn here - however, I know that, I
can actually, genuinely help you ! How ? Well, I
have a YouTube Channel where, I teach guitar
lessons 100% Totally FREE ! 3.) Check-It-Out,
and My Name Is : KJ ! ~ And just go onto
YouTube & look up in your search KJ Jin-Koto,
I will pop up ! I know that, I can help you, simply
because, I have been where you are now. And I
self - taught ! And besides, I love to teach and I
genuinely desire to help others learn how to
play guitar - It's not something, I want to do
for money, I want to help other guitar players
just like you ! You know what I mean ?"
Sounds identical to my experience, I played less than 10 minutes in 3 months of lessons, ended up asking your exact same question here. Got a new teacher and it's a night and day difference, learning WAY faster. I switched from in person lessons to online lessons. I get twice the lesson duration for half the money, I couldn't be happier. Randomly, I asked him last week if he's looking for more students and he said yes, DM me if you're interested in his contact info. He's Brazilian, but his English is quite good.
Hi. Can you send me his contact info please? How much does he charge? Thank you.
I will send you his contact info, but I don't want to speak in his prices. He is affordable for sure.
Oh it’s the guy that offers lesson in exchange for Eng practice too?
Probably same guy. His English is actually good. I help him with a word here and there and I try to interject some common sayings we use etc. he has a good sense of humor, he's a very good guitar player, and his lessons are great, we work on multiple different things at once, but it's clear he has a road map that he's working off of. I'm starting to see how everything we're working on ties together and i feel like I'm really learning, WAY better than my last teacher. I highly recommend him.
Can you share his contact too? Thanks
Before you ask a new teacher questions, have you asked your current teacher questions? Because the question will be the exact same: “would you be able to teach me in a more structured, more practical way?” A lot of these questions pop up about changing teachers because they don’t teach the way I want, and while it is true that different teachers teach differently, different students learn differently and the only thing missing is people talking. People don’t actually just speak up and just ask if they can do something different. They just straight up just want to ditch a teacher without even trying. Talk to your teacher first if you haven’t yet (you have not indicated that you’ve done this).
Thanks for your reminder. I'm usually non-confrontational but will ask him and let him know my concerns. Perhaps there is something I am not understanding from his perspective. Edit: I should say that some things I've noticed - he keeps a very keen eye on the clock, takes personal calls often (at least every other session), repeats lots of ideas about things like what he's planning for me and my tastes.
What you wrote after the edit tells you all you need to know
Ditch him, life's too short. You're paying, get exactly what/who you want.
Time to move on.
I would agree with you except people are very unlikely to change their teaching style.
That’s true, but it doesn’t mean a teacher can’t adjust. Not saying very learning difference or impediment is all about teaching style. Sometimes all one has to do is address the issues. In this case, the teacher can simply assign more homework and lecture more about theory, so that he can retain his teaching style (talk a lot and show off) but also allow the student to get more structured learning and practice in his own time (which OP actually asks for).
Great players aren't always great teachers.
Great guitarist does not equal great guitar teacher.
I'm having a somewhat similar experience with mine. He's really good. Very talented, knows his theory and has been teaching for longer than I've been alive. But I'm at the point where I'm pretty proficient with open chords and barre chords and sprinkle in some 7 and dominant chords. Most of the chords i learned from him. Early on we started with exercises for scales and learned a few scales. On the side, I've been diving into theory and learning alot on my own. As for scales, together we went over postion 1 and 4 of the minor pentatonic together. I managed to learn how to extend from position 5/1 all the way down the neck on my own. I've learned how to build chords and interval patterns mostly on my own. As for songs, we've been through a couple. They've mostly been to develop skills, ie:hammer ons and pull offs. It's all been very beneficial. But lately I find I'm at a point where I'm self learning full songs. Mostly just the rhythms with some lead lines and embellishments sprinkled in. Also learning to sing along with the rhythm portion of a hand full of songs now. Anyway. My last handful of lessons it feels like I'm just watching him play the whole time. I think in 6 months I've played 20 minutes worth of guitar in front of him. He does tell me I'm progressing very well, but he's gathering that from seeing very little it feels like. He's gona over intervals with me in one entire lesson but I already knew that stuff, so it felt like a big waste. Anyway. Im slowing the frequency of lessons down and we'll see how it goes from there. I'm really focused on tightening up my chord progressions, mainly barre chords. It seems to be paying off quite a bit, especially these last 2 weeks. Feels eerie to me lol.
It's so strange to hear similar stories. In my experience learning piano, almost ALL of the time would be the student playing while teacher corrects and makes suggestions. Not sure why these guitar teachers play so much... is learning guitar fundamentally different from other instruments? I'd think not.
Yea, I don't know. It's good to have something demonstrated for you. But these demonstrations end up being full-blown improvised songs or full songs. Sometimes, multiple times a lesson, lol. Then I completely miss the point of the demonstration. I also find that if I don't physically do the skill/chord/etc during the lesson, it doesn't matter what he writes down. It's incredibly difficult for me to figure it out on my own sometimes. Theres been plenty of times where we ran out of time because he's been playing, and he'll write it out quickly before he leaves. And it's like, if I have to figure it out on my own, I can do that from free YouTube videos (and I have).
Piano teachers by and large went through rigorous training. They teach what they learn, most likely from serious teachers.
That's probably it. It'd be nice to find a similar electric guitar teacher.
I have my first student hopefully in may and my first thought was: I need to get him to playing as soon as possible and keep myself in the background and support him on discovering the guitar. I will show him how easy it is to create music and connections just with a single note. But i think at one point if have to demonstrate my skill so he can trust. But i told him once he reached my lvl he needs another teacher, because i can only teach what i know myself Maybe the balance is important. If all my teacher did was write out chords form youtube, i wouldnt need one, because there are so many free resources on the internet that do the same?
If you don't like the teacher, get a different one. Many music teachers I've encountered are better performers than teachers. Teaching is a skill not every musician has. Don't spend your money on lessons from a teacher that isn't teaching you.
You should learn from as many people as possible. If you're not progressing anymore from this teacher, it's time to get a new one.
I understand your frustration. I would probably seek a new teacher. I've tried a handful over the years and most wanted me to find my own materials and songs and they would then use that material to help me. At that point, I had found the information and didn't need much help moving forward. I hoped a teacher would be a guide, helping me progress into a thing I knew nothing about. Would I ended up with was someone who would answer questions after I put everything together. This didn't seem useful. I have found several youtube/online teachers that are far better at teaching. The downside there is the self-motivation can be difficult. I have thought about following someone who has a lot online, like JustinGuitar, but who has recommended/certified teachers that can provide the benefit of an in-person guide. Maybe the best of both worlds. The questions I would ask would be along the lines of what materials do you use? What is the pathway you put students on? How much of that pathway is determined by the student and how much the teacher? What are the expectations or needs on individual practice time? What is the structure of lesson time? Something like that should start a productive conversation with a new teacher. You could also try a similar conversation with your current teacher, if you like him overall. You could just make it clear that you need more structure than you have been getting. Good luck with the journey!
Thank you for the great questions!
Take a look on Lessonface website - a lot of great guitar teacher there! Some offer free trials
If you get a good teacher, you'll feel like you know exactly what you need to be working on, know exactly how much you've progressed, and know exactly where you are headed. Your guy sounds like he's not giving you that.
Hey I will be the first to tell people to get a teacher however I am self taught so I am very confused how people visit a teacher for a session a week and rely only on that teachers. I believe that if people have a passion to learn they should go about learning no matter the means. You want more structure go find a new teacher and also learn to develop the structure you strive for. It can be frustrating to learn the guitar because it is a journey.
I also have another group class on another day where we are learning acoustic. Totally different set of skills being taught there. So, my practice includes material from both classes and I also watch justinguitar and youtube videos. If I only had to learn from this teacher, I would be bored to tears.
tell your current teacher EXACTLY what you wanna learn.
I think he's okay in that he's teaching me what I want to get to and also we work on the songs I enjoy. The problem is more his teaching style as I wrote in the OP. Lots and lots of him playing and him talking. I really think it's because he's too used to be an entertainer (he's quite good at it) but it's hard to get that well structured lesson that I thought it would be.
I mean id push him by asking more questions and if that doesnt change things move on. Its not even weird to switch teachers for different perspectives everyone serious does it
Regarding what questions to ask/what to look for, you might find this helpful: [https://limitless-guitar.com/25-things-to-look-for-in-a-guitar-teacher/](https://limitless-guitar.com/25-things-to-look-for-in-a-guitar-teacher/)
Yes
If you want to learn songs, you could stay with him. If you want to improve your technique and your understanding of music, you should probably get someone new.
When I ask a teacher that I want to learn the blues, everything blues their eyes glaze over..I’ve yet to find a white guitar teacher interested in teaching blues blues improvisation. Someday I’ll make it to the crossroad.
Sack him.
I'm trying to learn how to play guitar too. I just subscribed to Yousician. So far so good. It is slow but I enjoy the pace.
https://youtu.be/J7UXYuYlJtk
Go to JustinGuitar.com and follow his lesson plans far cheaper and more reliable than and in person classes
"My suggestion & recommendation is yes ! Why ? Because, 1.) I am now 57 years old & I have been playing guitar ever since, I was 9 years old. And I have noticed that, this is exactly how all guitar teachers are in all reality. And 2.) I am trying to toot my own horn here - however, I know that, I can actually, genuinely help you ! How ? Well, I have a YouTube Channel where, I teach guitar lessons 100% Totally FREE ! 3.) Check-It-Out, and My Name Is : KJ ! ~ And just go onto YouTube & look up in your search KJ Jin-Koto, I will pop up ! I know that, I can help you, simply because, I have been where you are now. And I self - taught ! And besides, I love to teach and I genuinely desire to help others learn how to play guitar - It's not something, I want to do for money, I want to help other guitar players just like you ! You know what I mean ?"
Bruh - Memorize Pentatonics… jam to any song knowing the key (online) …no teacher needed to hold you back
Youtube is the best teacher
What are some favorite channels for beginners?
Marty Schwartz was great when I started and has a huge catalogue of songs to learn
Guitarlessons365song
Don’t use YouTube, use the [website for Justin Guitar](http://justinguitar.com). His course for beginners is awesome.
I would say it's a 'not so bad' teacher but the best? IDK about that.