Guitar players are always in demand. It is hard to imagine any modern group without at least one acoustic player. The chief attraction of the guitar is that it is a highly versatile musical instrument whose sound range can cover the majority of music.
I teach in very small groups to ensure good standards are met as soon as possible.
This beginners (and improvers) course starts at the very beginning. After the first 10 lessons on basic chords and strumming you can move onto other areas.
It is very important
that you understand that there are many ways to learn the guitar and there is
more than one correct method. What I offer you here is a method that has been
developed for teaching beginners over many years and has been extremely
effective. But it doesn't mean any other method won't work.
Beginners Information
courtesy of www.justinguitar.com
Common Questions from beginners...
The guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play badly, but with practice anyone can learn to play well. Below are some of the most common questions asked about learning the guitar.
How quickly will I be able to play songs?
You should be able to play a basic song or two with about three to five hours of
practice (over a week or more - not in one go). It probably won't sound perfect,
but at least recognizable. How much time it takes you to learn the basics will
depend almost totally on how much you practice. This is only a very rough guide
but a question that I am often asked. Note that if I give a recommended practice
time, say 5 minutes, it means 5 minutes of intense practice, not half watching
tv or answering phone calls or whatever. Try to stay focused when you practice,
free up when you play "for real".
How often do I need to practice?
If you play fifteen minutes a week, expect it to take at least a year to get the
very basics under your fingers. Practice fifteen minutes a day and you will
notice that things are getting easier after only a week. There is such a thing
as "natural aptitude" so some people learn things faster than others, but
perseverance will always prevail. Lots of people who learn slowly at first,
learn better and faster in the long run (usually these people are figuring out
why they are doing what).
My fingers hurt and have deep grooves in them, should I stop practicing?
Yes, if it is painful at all, then you should take a break. A bit sore is fine,
and normal. The grooves in your fingers are quite normal and are just from the
strings sitting in the same place under your fingers (which is good). They will
toughen up after a short time and you won't notice it at all. If you get any
pain in your hand or forearm you should stop straight away and see a doctor if
pain persists. Playing should always be fun and enjoyable, not painful.
What is the best way
to practice?
The best way (but not always possible) is to try and find a little time to
practice every day. It is much better to do 10 minutes a day 6 days a week than
an hour practice every Saturday. Aim for daily practice but if it is not
possible, try to get in a little time often and then have one main practice time
each week. Many of my students have found that playing at the same time (such as
straight after dinner, when you first get home after work/school or just before
you go to bed) is the best way to develop a consistent routine.
PRICES
Costs are negotiable but usually work out at around £10 per lesson (45 minutes to one hour). Special discount rates apply if you are unemployed/student etc.
