We’ve had a reader question come in on the subject of guitar lessons. Let’s take a look:
Question: Where are some good places? Private or group lessons? About how much do both cost? THANK YOU!
Answer: Group lessons sounds like fun. Around here private lessons for an individual are about 15 bucks for a half hour and you have to pay for a month at a time, that’s 1 lesson a week. The internet has quite a few good resources for free lessons as well. It could save you some money as opposed to paying a guy 15 bucks to tell you the string names and how to hold a pick. I’m just saying at least browse the internet if you haven’t already. Of course a one on one lesson with a real person is better so long as that person knows their stuff. Here is a video that shows how to read guitar tab:
http://www.fuzzymonkeytabs.com/howtoreadtab.html
and here’s a video teaching simple guitar tab for Fur Elise by Beethoven: http://www.fuzzymonkeytabs.com/furelisesimple.html
What’s this week’s question? Let’s dive straight in…
Question: I really want to play Guitar, Bass and electric guitar. But I afraid to tell them! Any idea of what can I say?
I don’t have Guitar yet.
P.S. The music school is actually in front of my house
Answer: Try asking them for a tuna sandwich on rye and see how you get on.
Another guitar lessons question has come in this week. Let’s tackle it straight away:
Question: Just started teaching guitar via Craigslist, and got a request to teach 2 women at the same time, for an hour. I’ve been doing 15 bucks an hour for one. Should it be 30?
Answer: I would charge between $15 and $25 for the combination./
This week’s question is as follows:
Question: I know wat to teach and all that … But I have difficulty filling the whole hour… Any advice on stretching out the lesson …???
Answer: At the beginning of the hour, ask the student to play chords or do other exercises to improve her/his dexterity and technical ability.
Spend most of the hour having the student play whatever pieces you’ve assigned for that day.
Near the end of the hour, discuss what you want to have the student learn next. Demonstrate how the piece is supposed to sound.
By the way, it never hurts to ask the student how she/he likes what you’re assigning.
Also ask if there’s a particular piece of music the student really wants to learn to play. If there is and the student’s capable of playing it, allow her/him to begin learning it.
If that particular piece is beyond the student’s capability, talk about the steps the student needs to take in order to play that particular piece.
A tough learn guitar question this week. Let’s dive straight in
Question: Around how much would a guitar lesson cost with a used guitar? Oh yeah I’m a lefty, is it more expensive?
Answer: Lessons cost between $30 and $60 an hour.
A tough guitar lessons question this week. Let’s dive straight in
Question: I’m starting the guitar and my first lesson is tomorrow to start me off and see how I do and see whether I like it.. My teacher is a really fit 15 year old so I don’t want to make a complete fool out of myself and screw up. Is there any advice I can be given before going in and what is to be expected ?
Answer: Just be relaxed. If it is a group lesson you have nothing to worry about at all. If it’s alone, well just remember that your teacher expects you to know nothing. My group lesson goes super slow so I’m going to guess one on one lessons start of slow. If you want to impress your teacher I would say learn some basic chords and notes in the first position on maybe like the first 2 or 3 strings. Make sure to ask about anything you don’t get and again, just relax. Guitar is supposed to be fun, enjoy it. 
Well here’s a question I just had to answering straight away:
Question: does anyone know of a website that gives really good online guitar lessons? im looking to learn how to play
Answer: http://www.jazzguitar.be/
xx
This week’s question is as follows:
Question: so i have my first acustic guitar lesson with my new teacher tomorrow and i want him to think im cool and respect me and so what should i wear? i have:
-sort of pale/alittle tanned skin
-green eyes
-light brown hair
-im 5′5"
-im fairly skinny
thank you!!
Answer: It doesnt matter what other people think about you, but you do want to present yourself well. Wear something appropriate that reflects who you are and dont think too much about it.
This week’s question is a good one. Let’s have a look:
Question: I need to pick another song to learn. I have lessons, but I always have a fun song. I’ve already done:
No Rain
Seven Nation Army
Free Fallin
Run Around
Breakeven
Wish You Were Here
This is basically what I like. I’m a 13 y.o. girl but I don’t exactly like pop music. I’ve only been taking lessons for a year on an acoustic guitar, so nothing too hard please. Thank you! (10 points I have until Wednesday!)
Answer: Wonderwall – Oasis
VERY easy song to play and learn, and a fun one, too. I think it probably goes with the style of songs you’ve already posted.
Also, if you want to learn more Tom Petty, "Last Dance With Mary Jane" isn’t that hard. The only part that might be tricky for a beginner is the hammer on for the A Minor chord, but all of the chords in the song are open.
Another guitar lessons question has come in this week. Let’s tackle it straight away:
Question: I’m so excited. Fourth instrument that I’m learning. Yay!
Anyway, any tips before I go?
Another thing, I broke my list almost a year ago and it hurts all the time. Will this effect the playing at all? I’m right-handed and it’s my left wrist…
WRIST not LIST!!!!!
Answer: Be prepared for your fingers to hurt like hell. But don’t worry, after you play for a whole you’ll develop calluses and it won’t hurt anymore.
When you are holding down the strings on chords, be sure to push them down hard, or you will get a sound that’s…twangy? I’m not sure how to explain it, but you’ll learn.
Make sure you are holding your guitar pick properly so you don’t make a fool of yourself. It is supposed to be held between your middle finger and thumb, though some people hold it between their pointer and thumb.
Just relax and don’t be stiff, and don’t be nervous.
Have fun! I’m sure you will love it.
