Thoughts of Lessons - Again!

[just strum]

For a little over six months I've kicked around the idea of taking lessons, but time and money seem to be the hurdle. There is a place near my house that offers a really nice package where you have your regularly scheduled 1/2 hour session that you pay for, but you can come back anytime during the week for assistance/mentoring.

I may have mentioned this early on, but the thoughts of taking lessons has entered my mind again. Here is the guy I was thinking about signing up with:
http://www.gitterpicker.com/lessons/dave.asp

After you read Dave's short bio, click on "Meet the Teachers" and check out the other instructors. Then click on "About the Program". When I first looked into it the cost was $95 a month.

 

[Spudman]

In my opinion a half hour just doesn't cut it. Too long though might be too much information to digest. I've always felt that an hour lesson is about right.

Watching a lot of players is a great learning tool too. If you can go see someone play, anyone, get close and observe then realize that you have the capacity to do the same things they did. It's a great motivator.

Also, get away from the computer and immerse yourself in the guitar. Play with records, try to figure out licks from the records, play along in your own style. Just play more guitar.

 

[just strum]

I checked around with a few places in the area and they all offer only 1/2 hour lessons. I like to warm up before I start playing and can easily take a 1/2 hour just for that portion of my playing.

I'm not really on the computer that much. Logged in, but only dabbling on the computer during breaks. My weekday guitar time could stand for a little more time spent playing, but on weekends it's nothing for me to set up at 8:00 AM and not shutdown until 11:00 PM. Now that's not solid playing, but there is a lot of playing in there.

A big let down for me was the temporary loss of a playing partner. The guy that lives 10 minutes from my house blew his arm out lifting weights. Most of his right arm is purple due too torn muscle. So needless to say he will be out of action for awhile. The other people I know that play live 40 to 50 miles away

Until I decide, I'll just keep pursuing being self-taught.

 

[warren0728]

I checked around with a few places in the area and they all offer only 1/2 hour lessons. I like to warm up before I start playing and can easily take a 1/2 hour just for that portion of my playing.

i have been thinking again of taking lessons...i think when it comes to music stores...they like 30 minute lessons so they can book more students per day....maybe check with instructors that are independent or come to your house (that's what i am going to do) and they me be more flexible about the length of each lesson).

ww

 

[Robert]

GitterPicker - how much are the lessons? Looks like a good choice.

 

[just strum]

GitterPicker - how much are the lessons? Looks like a good choice.

Back in approximately April it was $95 a month for weekly lessons. Then you could come in at other times for free to work with someone on your lesson, which I thought was a unique approach.

During my time off after New Year, I think I will stop in and talk to the instructor.

The $95 isn't a lot, but then I remember I'm putting a kid through college and have one more right on his heels.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

If you can swing it, why don't you try it for a month. Go in as often as you can for the free extra help.

Even if you decide to drop it (too expensive, not your bag whatever).
You'll certainly have learned something useful.

 

[Robert]

So you get in total 2 hours for $95, plus "mentoring" opportunities with other instructors?

 

[just strum]

So you get in total 2 hours for $95, plus "mentoring" opportunities with other instructors?

Yes, and you could end up getting mentoring with the same instructor, it all depends on schedule.

If you can swing it, why don't you try it for a month. Go in as often as you can for the free extra help.

Even if you decide to drop it (too expensive, not your bag whatever).
You'll certainly have learned something useful.

Good point. I would stop going if I didn't like the style of the instructor, so I guess the same would apply for what you are saying.

 

[aeolian]

When I took lessons back a few years ago I did half-hour lessons once a week. If the instructor and you are prepared ahead of time, a half-hour lesson can be very productive.

That's my experience.

 

[VSTAR]

Guitar Lessons

When I took lessons back a few years ago I did half-hour lessons once a week. If the instructor and you are prepared ahead of time, a half-hour lesson can be very productive.

That's my experience.

I used to be a guitar teacher years ago , so forgive me if I sound prehistoric. I agree with the other guy who said play your guitar and at every opportunity play with better guitar players

I am not impressed by what today's teachers are teaching . In Houston most of the teachers are just teaching chops from soundtracks . This is not a guitar player to me.

Most of these people can play real fast cool chops but cannot read music or understand anything about timing or dynamics. A good teacher and a half hour lesson can take you much farther then learning some Metallica Chops.

Used to be an organization called the American Guild of Music ( great teachers) and you had a chance to compete with other equally trained students.
Please forgive me but just my .02 worth

 

[just strum]

VSTAR,

Welcome to the forum. You should take the time to go over to "The Fret Players" section and introduce yourself.

I plan on going to the two locations near me and talk to the instructors that I am interested in working with. The credentials are good, but I want to get an idea of how they teach and what is the first approach they take with a new student. Since you are obviously familiar with teaching and have an opinion on the subject, what questions would you recommend I ask the instructors?

 

[VSTAR]

lessons

Again these are my interests in teaching ...By the way I am originally from Ohio .
Will I learn how to read music with a good base . Once you learn a little about reading music ( not just tab ) you will understand more about what you are playing. Even the Nashville guys you jam with might say ( follow me on a 1 , 4 , 5 Key of A ) Everyone learns this

I used to tell my students if you don't count you wll never be a count!! I can teach riffs and chops all day long but when it comes down to playing with other people you need the sense of timing and dynamics. As a kid I took lessons from a Jazz / blues player from the Cincy . Area . His name was Gene Shiverdecker , I remember how I hated that style as a kid in the 70's as rock 4 /4 was what everyone played. Now today I appreciate what this man taught me .

Kind of a side story I live in Texas today and play around Texas and La. When I moved to Texas I heard about these great guitar players from the backwoods of east Texas . They play a spanish tune style blues or jazz.
Wow you talk about something different , I ended up working with some young guys at a church in Crocket Texas to learn this style . This style is taught in the black churchs and is the style of tuning the early Rolling Stones used on Honky Tonk Woman , Brown Sugar Etc.

You can always learn new styles, riffs and chops . But please learn to read some music and learn the dynamics of timing

 

[just strum]

My objectives going in include developing and understanding the dynamics of timing. While I have a sense of timing, I realize my shortcomings when I get together with a friend to do some jamming.

I want to get a better understanding of the basics. I don't lack determination and desire, but it's difficult to understand things I read either in books or in forums like this. It is my belief that I will advance at a better pace if I lay down a better foundation that will help me understand better the knowledge I seek on my own.

I enjoy playing for me and get a lot of satisfaction from progress and hearing new sounds coming from my guitar. I am not under some impression of someday making a living doing this, too old and don't have the time. It's a hobby, an escape, but that doesn't mean I can't strive to be good.

An Ohio guy, huh. Well remember to post in the other section and introduce yourself.

 

[aeolian]

My specific intent when I took lesson was to improve on composing (in my case, I call it just making up music). Most of my time with my teacher was on theory and it has helped me a lot.

If you learn the basic scale (7 out of 12 notes), then learn how to construct each of the chords of the scale (again, 7 chords), learn why the 7 chords are just made out of 3 triad chords, you will pretty much have learned most of what you need to harmonize to any song.

Beyond that you can start to learn about extended chords (4 notes or more), voicing, etc.

A good teacher can probably teach you the first set of theory in 2 hours. It may have to be repeated a few times for it to sink in, but it will be worthwhile.

 

[Childbride]

Strum, the bottom line is this. when i just played, when i first played, i focused on certain songs and never really MOVED anywhere. now i'm flatpicking, hammering, doing pulloffs, learning new songs, and being the type of personality that i am, i HAVE to impress the kaka out of my teacher, so i practice and memorize my lessons... all in all, it makes you a better player. my 30 minute lessons once a week have made me grow by leaps and bounds.

now, with the xmas present my mom just gave Shiner, i'm about to wander into the realm of fingerpicking. simon and garfunkel. and i can't wait.

just my .02 cents.

merry xmas, my friend.

 

[just strum]

Well, I've procrastinated long enough, I'm going tomorrow to sign up for lessons at http://www.gitterpicker.com/lessons/lessons.asp

It's long over due and at the beginning of the year my commitment was to accelerate the learning process.

I was at the store today to look at Fender guitars and I got to talking to one of the instructors. He invited me to a monthly jam session and I commented that I wasn't at that level to jam with experienced players and I needed to get off my ass and sign up for lessons there. So I went home and mentioned to my wife a I received a sound response of encouragement.

So tomorrow I am going up there, signing up and getting one of the instructors that specializes in blues.

Going to probably use my Dot, so I will take that up there to have it set up. When I was looking at their Fenders and other guitars I was really impressed with the set-ups on every one of them.

This is the place that charges $95 per month, but besides your weekly lesson, you can come in any day or everyday of the week for mentoring with an available instructor. The program has been active for some time now, so it must be successful for them and the students.

Again, procrastinating is done - it's time to get this show on the road.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Excellent Strummy! I hope you get what you need from it. Enjoy!

 

[luvmyshiner]

Good for you Strum. You've been wanting to do this for awhile and I know you'll enjoy it. But your wife might not be so encouraging when the groupies start knocking down your door.:master:

 

[just strum]

Well, I just came back from the music store and signed up for three months of lessons. A decent deal at $90 per month (got a little discount). This is the place that offers:

"Students pay a flat rate per month for lessons and are scheduled for a regular weekly lesson. In addition, students are encouraged to call in any day to schedule additional "mentoring" sessions for no additional fee. These practice sessions do not need to be with the student's regularly assigned teacher, and they can include other GitterPicker students if the students would like."

My lessons are at 10:00 Saturday mornings.

I also took my Dot in for set-up. The place got busy and the guy kept on getting interrupted with phone calls and customers questions. He kept on apologizing for the delay - Hey, I'm stuck in a guitar shop, what the hell do I care about delays?

 

[Childbride]

:bravo: :beer:

i think you'll be really happy with that decision, Strum.

they really help me a lot, and motivate me to play as much as possible.

 

[mrmudcat]

just do it!!!!:beer:

 

[just strum]

thanks everyone - I'm really excited about the lessons.

I told the instructor that I want to correct bad habits and understand the make-up of playing guitar as my first priorities. He told me the first thing most people say is "they want to learn to play a song"

Here is my instructor.

http://www.myspace.com/MichaelGradyMusic

Edit: If you are interested, here's some more info from Google.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=Michael+Grady+Blues&btnG=Google+Search

 

[Robert]

I think you are doing the right thing. You'll have lots to work on now... and that's a good thing.

 

[just strum]

Well, My first lesson is tomorrow morning at 10:00 (I think that's 3:30 metric). My Dot is in to be set-up and that was the guitar I was going to use for my lessons. So now it's either the Epi SG or the Ibanez ARC300. I feel like a teenager getting ready to go to the HS dance, trying to figure out what he is going to wear.

Maybe I should run out and get a new guitar for the occasion

 

[mark wein]

Have fun!

 

[Kazz]

Kudo's to you Mark....glad to see you finally took the plunge....I am still procrastinating....and have not seriously picked up the guitar in weeks....I need motivation these days I guess....winter sucks.

 

[just strum]

Well today was a free session and more of a meet and greet than anything else. I woke up at 9:30 (finally sleep in, but on the wrong day), my lesson was at 10:00. Brushed my teeth, threw water in my face and out the door. Got there about 10 minutes early and the instructor was late (5 min). As we were getting started the owner stuck her head in the room and she tells me I have another free session because of the late start.

Anyway, I can tell already this is going to be a great experience. We basically went through musical taste, I discussed my goals, and then we just sort of played so he could get an idea of my existing knowledge.

I'll probably start to take advantage of the mentoring program this week and visit for a session or two with other instructors. The only problem is it's a short week as I have to head back up to Toronto on Thursday.

After lessons, I went and played some Strats and Tele's. I left there and went to another music store about 5 miles down the road and played some G&L's and a 1970 Sheraton.

Hello, my name is Just Strum and I'm a Guitaraholic. However, I am not joining the 12 step program unless it refers to buying a guitar for every month of the year.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Just beyond cool Strummy!!!

Good luck & keep us posted.

 

[just strum]

Just beyond cool Strummy!!!

Good luck & keep us posted.

Thanks Tot - you will be the first one I send front row tickets to when I start touring. You have any rest homes near you?