Some quick tips for giving guitar lessons?

[benduncan]

I'm moving abroad in January and I'd kind of like to have a couple of months off from working construction before I go

How to find students. CL post?
Any recommended student books?
Probably depends on the area, but is $25 a good price?

 

[Chris6870]

When I was in my 20's and unemployed I taught a bunch of young kids guitar. I made flyers with the tear off phone numbers on the bottom and put them around in diners,shopping centers ect. This was pre-internet. I would see what the local stores charge and undercut them a little. It was pretty good money but I really didn't like it. I didn't use any books, I just taught them songs they wanted to play. I guess it depends on the student. If your teaching rock, the Wolf Marshall books are good.

 

[benduncan]

Thanks

"...taught them songs they wanted to play" That was the main problem I had last time I tried to teach. I tried to teach them a bunch of scales and they lost interest Learned from my mistakes though

 

[glassjaw7]

Thanks

"...taught them songs they wanted to play" That was the main problem I had last time I tried to teach. I tried to teach them a bunch of scales and they lost interest Learned from my mistakes though

When I used to teach I found a nice balance of the two. Teach them the basic exercises but then show them how those tools fit into playing the songs they want to learn. Guitar is so tough at first.. most people need that motivation to keep playing and not just give up right away, so show them how this part fits into that song and they'll know there's light at the end of the tunnel.

So, if they're complete beginners, start with proper positioning of the hands, etc and then basic open-position chords.
If they have a few chords under their belt and maybe some basic scale patterns, then choose customized exercises based on the songs or style they want to learn.

 

[Chris6870]

The kids I taught were complete beginners, I taught them easy songs that they could play in a few weeks time. About a girl by Nirvana and Lightning crashes by Live were good ones. It was all about instant gratification and keeping them interested.

 

[Dingleberries]

I'm contemplating getting back into giving lessons myself, but am not looking forward to learning a bunch of songs if don't particularly care for to teach them what they want to learn lol. I agree with the post above about showing them how to play a song and then showing how a particular scale fits into that song and then expanding on that. My biggest problem is I lack patients. Also showing them how to set up their guitar(stringing, intonation, relief, bridge adjustments, etc...) is another good idea as this can save them some money in the long run. Good luck on your endeavor!

 

[Chris O]

That's a fucked-up avatar, dude. My balls just crawled into my abdominal cavity...

 

[Dingleberries]

That's a fucked-up avatar, dude. My balls just crawled into my abdominal cavity...

Hey, I'm kinda limited here, but I do what I can,
Bella

 

[benduncan]

My balls just crawled into my abdominal cavity...

...I do what I can

Thanks guys. All good stuff. I put my two week in, just need to get a couple small amps and post some ads. For the most part, I plan on just asking them what they want to learn, then start to introducing them the what's going on in the song as they learn it. As it's been said here