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February 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Hi all, I've been taking lessons for just over a year now from a local musician that also teaches. I was wondering if I could hear from other people that have been taking lessons for a while because after a year I really only know basic chords and maybe a scale, other than that I can play parts of songs but that's about it. If someone is a complete beginner to music is there any hope for one day understanding guitar and how to write songs? Every time I go to my lesson he just says so what do you want to do today? I have said before well what should we do and we've messed around with like guitar slides and other stuff but he always asks me what we're going to do and well if I dont really have any knowledge of anything shouldn't he be guiding me? I've been starting to wonder if people that take lessons just learn to become hacks or something and just end up playing other peoples songs. I mean how much can one really progress anyway by only spending 30 minutes a week with an instructor who is just there to make money. Maybe I should be looking for another instructor or take lessons from a different instructor later on in the week or something, I just dont feel like I'm learning a whole lot other than just play these notes or these chords with this strum pattern for this song... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | www.workshoplive.com |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I does not seem to me as though you are getting your moneys worth. It's evident in your level of frustration and I believe that your gut is right. Just because someone can play does not mean they can teach. It seems to me that if I were to ever take lessons I would look for a plan or actual course of action. Like anything this complicated it seems to me that one would start with book one, work through a progressive, sensible and comprehensive series of lessons that keep building on your knowledge base. I played trumpet from the time I was six or seven and played through high school and I know how long it took to work through lesson plans and advance to the next level. But that's the kind of planning I believe it takes. I took piano lessons from an older woman who had done it for years and while it was demanding and at times boring I knew it was the right thing to do. Had she been asking me every week what I wanted to do I'd be asking for things that I would have no functional foundation to even be able to do. I also took guitar lessons a few years back but they didn't work so well for me either. Lots of scales but that didn't hold my interest very long.
If there are other options I'd be interviewing some other instructors. It sounds like you have nothing to lose. Good luck. |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | +1
I had exactly the same experience with a couple of teachers. I really got nowhere. Workshoplive let's you do a deep dive on pretty much whatever it is that you want to learn.
That being said, I would still like to find the right teacher and I think that the only way to do that is try them out. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Time for a change. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Pretty good discussion HERE plus my take on your situation. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Anyone who knows more than three chords and has been paid to play in public is certainly qualified to teach an instrument.......
Or maybe not.
I had several different teachers over the years. The third one was the real inspiration but the circumstance was very unique.
In the end it's not the teachers fault the student stays when they are not learning, it is the students for not searching out a better solution. (this applies to other areas in life also, near as I can tell.) |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by mercury187:
I mean how much can one really progress anyway by only spending 30 minutes a week with an instructor who is just there to make money. I'll tell you this right now. You need to take responsibility for your own obvious failings and stop projecting your excuses and lack of commitment onto people who are charging very reasonable money to help you. Attending lessons are meaningless unless you actually do the work. Playing any musical instrument well takes more than buying a bunch of lessons, it's a passion, an obsession, a way of life that informs everything you do and who you are. Godd luck with that..................... |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | but shouldn't the teacher "inspire" him or "excite" him with new possibilities? |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by stephent28:
but shouldn't the teacher "inspire" him or "excite" him with new possibilities? Probably, but as an ex-pro teacher I have lost count of the students that could not be inspired. For every shit teacher there are several dozen shit students. Not saying that this is the case here, just telling it how it is, from someone who has the T-shirt |
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Joined:
February 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Originally posted by Paul Templeman:
Originally posted by mercury187:
I mean how much can one really progress anyway by only spending 30 minutes a week with an instructor who is just there to make money. I'll tell you this right now. You need to take responsibility for your own obvious failings and stop projecting your excuses and lack of commitment onto people who are charging very reasonable money to help you. Attending lessons are meaningless unless you actually do the work. Playing any musical instrument well takes more than buying a bunch of lessons, it's a passion, an obsession, a way of life that informs everything you do and who you are. Godd luck with that.....................
Its not that im a shit student with a lack of willingness to play, I'm just saying how do you get past just learning how to play famous songs.. |
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January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | I'm not one to take lessons, but if I were in your situation I'd look into teachers- even music students- who might be available at WWU . Maybe you can find someone who knows theory as well as popular songs and riffs.
-Steve W. |
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February 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Thanks numbfingers, where are you in WA? |
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November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Sounds like we may have another member of The Northwest Chapter.
Welcome Merc!
I'm over in Yakima. I have not taken lessons (sadly, and it shows), so I can offer no counsel.
But, as for neurolinguistic programming, well...... |
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January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | Do you offer Guitar Gestalt Therapy?
I'm hiding on an island an hour or so from Bellingham. WWU seems like a good resource- looks like the head of the music department is a guitarist. Call him or send an email- can't hurt to ask...
-Steve W. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by mercury187:
...because after a year I really only know basic chords and maybe a scale, other than that I can play parts of songs but that's about it. Gee, I can do all that and I have never had a lesson in my Life!
Not to be rude, but if you are not getting anything outta your lessons you need to quit paying for lessons. You need to develop a science of practice that works for you, and then learn new skills.
But you need to have dedication to that practice regimen.
Understand that famous musicians practice Hours Every Day!
I get all kinds of information off of YouTube and some books and DVD's that I have bought. But I have books and DVD's and stuff that I have never read. They look good on the shelf and I have lent them out to other people.
My problem is that I have No Structure or Discipline in my program.
If that is Your problem also, you cannot blame this on your Teacher.
But if you are paying to go pick some licks with some dude for a half-hour, I'd save my money.
If you are going to go hang-out at the University, I would just go find some other musicians to hang-out with! That might be more productive for you.
I am still a total beginner also, so I might not be the one to give advice...
But that has never stopped me Before! :p :cool: |
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April 2005
Posts: 42
Location: Ohio | I started taking guitar lessons about 4 years ago at age 54. I already read music as I had taken piano lessons at a very early age and played woodwinds in the school band. I decided to take lessons because I had to retire due to serious illness yet I wanted to keep growing. I went through about 3 teachers until I found one whom I respected for her playing and we got along fine. We agreed on short-term and long-term goals and took time every six months to see where we were making and missing our goals. I stopped taking lessons last summer and I now get help when ever I need it from friends who are professional guitar players. So far, I geel like I am doing the right thing. I have spent the money I have saved from lessons on upgrading my equipment and I enjoy playing much more now. I also have decided that electric guitars are much easier to play with weak body and hand strength. I will admit that there are a few acoustics that I probably will not part with as they make beautiful music.
Good luck, Joe |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | My $0.02...
You're getting the worst of both worlds right now: Paying for individual lessons, but still having to self-direct your efforts.
Your instructor should be the one helping you put together a roadmap for how you get from here to there. Of course, its up to you to decide what "there" looks like.
What do you want to be able to play? Have you shared that with your instructor? If so, then move on. If not, try it. Put together a collection of youtube links of songs you want to be able to play and email them to him. Tell him you want to put together a plan for getting there.
From that point, you'll have the ability to evaluate if he is helping you or not. Even if you end up deciding he's the wrong guy for you, your plan will still help, either with another guy of taking online lessons. |
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February 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Thanks for your comments everyone. I did tell him early on I would like to more understand the guitar and not just play other peoples songs and ive given him lots of songs to show me how to play. I know a lot of people have others that they know that play but I just dont have that many friends and the only person I know that plays is my cousin which is many miles away... I think im going to try and catch up with my old instructor who has been teaching a lot longer then the one I am with now and explain to him what ive been up to the last year and whatnot.. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Merc, I'd be shopping for another teacher. I think a good teacher should be like a consultant. They should prompt you to sort out what it is you want to learn, then work out a pathway to get there. For example, if you said I want to be able to play Tears in Heaven like Eric Clapton, a good teacher would assess what you can already do and work out a plan to get there. From what you have described, that plan would likely take a number of years, but would still be doable if you are prepared to do the work.
Everybody has a different reason for playing and a good teacher should be able to work with most students. If someone doesn't want to do the practice then they won't achieve with the world's best teacher, but I'm sure a good teacher can help someone structure their practice better. I've never had lessons in guitar, but have had very helpful tips from other players. I'm sure a structured plan from a good teacher would help me. |
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February 2009
Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | I am teaching my 10 year old nephew to play. I tried teaching him when he was 3 but he had no interest. He has good rhythm and a good ear but does not yet understand the commitment it takes to learn a skill. He gets excited about the sound and the accomplishment of playing the right notes - yet he complains about his fingers hurting and how hard it is to play guitar.
In todays lesson I told him - when he was frustrated hitting the right notes - the most important instrument he has is his ears. If you know the melody and what you're playing doesn't sound right - move your fingers and find the right note. 99% is you. The lesson can only point you in the right direction, the basics and technique. To master any skill is a combination of natural aptitude, dedication and training. If you don't have a good ear and reasonable manual dexterity then give it up now. If you do - then only effort and discipline will bring success. |
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January 2009
Posts: 379
Location: Alagoas, Brazil | How much do you practice every day?
Do you seek new things (songs, scales, arpeggios, licks) by yourself or you wait for the teacher to get something new?
What are the questions you asked your teacher recently? Did he answer them?
Learning is a two-way process.
Miguel |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | It's been an interesting road for me. Yes I took lessons for about a year as a child, around 10 years old. All the usual learning the fretboard, etc. But since then it's been a life long of picking up bits and pieces here and there from others I watch or play with. Problem is (and I think this is common) that I have 35 years of these bits and pieces all sitting in the parts bin with nothing "assembled", if you know what I mean. Basically I (think) I have some raw material and capability, but just can't seem to tie the knots to gether in to anything cohesive.
So ... at least for me the best thing is to have a fixed goal that forces me to "work under pressure". If it's an upcoming open mike, jam session or something like that. Small gig, CD project, etc. Basially anything that puts your feet to the fire. Others have said this to me as well, they never knoew what they could do until forced to do it. I guess the old saying is true, the best way to learn how to sky dive is to jump out of the plane.
Good luck |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Well said Dave.
We have walked very similar paths. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | There are a LOT of people out there who want to play guitar. Some want instant results (most of us would like that) but are inpatient and unwilling to devote themselves at a serious level. I believe that is why a lot of instructors teach their students how to play pieces from other performers for inspiration. Then there are the ones who are really into learning theory and technique (classical guitarists are a good example of this) The former is the reason someone came up with the ever-popular Guitar Hero thing. I grew up poor, loved music(especially guitar) but didn't have the opportunity or money for guitar lessons or a guitar, so I taught myself. Yeah ... I'm not the greatest guitar player, and I wish I would have been able to take lessons (still wish I had the time), but I can hold my own in a sit down jam and have an extreme amount of fun playing. That gives me plenty of satisfaction for now. I HAVE purchased a very nice video instruction series that starts at the basics, and progresses to intermediate level playing techniques. One goal this year for me is to work my way through that. |
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questions for those who have taken guitar lessons
