Guitar teachers come in all shapes and sizes.
Some are trained professionals, with a background in music, as well as education.
Others may be skilled guitar players who are moonlighting as instructors on the side.
Either way, your teacher's background is not the only factor that determines whether or not he or she is the right guitar teacher for you.
Don't waste your time and money taking guitar lessons with the wrong teacher.
To determine if your guitar teacher is a good match or a bad match for you, ask yourself these 7 questions.
What's the agenda? Bad: Has his or her own idea of what you "should" learn.
Your personal musical interests and goals are secondary to his or her prescribed plans for you.
Good: Wants to know your musical interests and your goals, so as to help you chart a course of study that will result in your learning to play your desired style of music on the guitar well as quickly as possible.
What's the pace? Bad: Has a pre-determined idea of how much material to give you, and at what pace you should be able to master it.
You are just another recipient of your teacher's standard schpeil.
Good: Is skilled at assessing your personal learning style, and tailoring your guitar lessons and practice assignments accordingly.
Your lessons do not move too fast, so as to leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Your lessons do not drag, so as to leave you bored.
What's the point? Bad: Thinks your paid lesson time is really just an opportunity to play you a private concert of his or her favorite tunes, and/or listen to a monologue about whatever he or she wants to talk about.
Good: Checks the ego at the door.
Your guitar teacher's job is to help you learn to play guitar, not to show off what a great player they are.
Mistakes: Embarrassments, or Opportunities? Bad: Expresses judgment or impatience when you make mistakes, and makes you feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Good: Makes you feel okay that mistakes are made.
Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and mistakes are how you learn.
Questions: Silly, or Smart? Bad: Makes you feel stupid for asking basic questions.
Your teacher snickers, rolls their eyes, or otherwise makes you reluctant to ask questions.
Good: Lets you know there is no such thing as a stupid question.
You can ask him or her anything you are wondering about learning guitar, and you'll get a clear, non-judgmental answer.
What's the homework? Bad: Says, "go practice everything and I'll see you next week.
" Or, "go practice and come back when you've got it mastered.
" Good: Sends you home with a clear plan of action as regards what to practice, and how.
Picks up where you left off at your next lesson.
Are we having fun yet? Bad: Your teacher errs on the side of keeping your guitar lessons super fun and easy.
Guitar lessons should be fun, but this is not just a jam session or a social hour.
You are there to learn.
Good: Challenges you.
Your teacher believes in your intelligence and potential, and gives you well targeted opportunities to rise to.
Your lessons stimulate you and inspire you to work hard and learn more.
You progress more quickly than you thought was possible, and that's really fun! How good could I become? Bad: Causes you to feel discouraged or hopeless about your ability to learn guitar.
Your teacher acts like a guitar snob, far beyond where you'll ever hope to be as a guitar player.
Good: Inspires you.
Your guitar teacher is a role model for you.
You respect how your teacher embraces music in his or her life.
You value how your teacher shares openly both the joy and the discipline of making music.
You aspire to become a better guitar player, and your guitar teacher is a guiding light.