The Search for a teacher

I know what you are going through! I searched for a teacher for months. I am an advanced intermediate level player, so I wanted someone who can help me reach the next level. I thought I found it - the guy has a masters degree in music, plays several instruments, etc. BUT, after about a month, I knew he was taking me in the wrong direction. He wasn't flexible and didn't want me to decide which direction he would help me, so I dropped him!

You might check bulletin board sites like Craigslist - lots of folks teaching will post there. Or check physical bulletin boards at grocery stores and the like.

Teachers who insist on acoustic guitar are either following bad advice ("you should always learn on acoustic first") or maybe they're concerned about the noise level - especially if they're teaching on the side from an apartment. I'll teach on whatever guitar a student wants to learn, and that's true of every teacher I know... except those who specialize in classical guitar only.

You might try your local university. They may have teachers they recommend or they may be able to put you in touch with a qualified grad student.

One side note; would you ever allow yourself to go under the knife of someone who practices surgery on the side?

Check your local College and/or also look on CraigsList. Find your city and in the upper left corner there is a Musicians Link.

Some cities though haven't caught on with CL and its not very active. But I've sold/bought and found other players locally via CL.

Good luck and I'm glad to hear your looking. :)

It will be hard for you to find a teacher who teaches full time, if you need a flexible schedule. Every full time teacher in my area wants to have you commit to a particular time each week, which is understandable, because they have to accomodate many students and would go nuts trying to juggle a constantly changing schedule. That leaves you with part time teachers and teachers who are new and are willing to be flexible to get another student. Check the local music stores and ask the clerks - they can always give you some names. If you know any musicians, ask them to put the word out for what kind of teacher you are looking for. Call them all and ask - that is about the only thing I can suggest.

Another option is to try to make a regular schedule in an irregular way. I have a number of adult stiudents who do every other week or twice a month (say the first and third Wednesday). CFB is right in that teachers want to have their schedules set, if for no other reason than it allows them to have a life, too :wink: . Sometimes coming up with a regular thing, but not weekly, will work for both teacher and student.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Peace

Good news everyone!

Someone advertised guitar lessons in the paper so I gave him a call. Unfortunately, he teaches afternoons, which is bad because I'm on..........afternoons. However, if he has a spot open on my days off, he'll squeeze me in there. It could be 3 weeks between lessons but it's better than nothing. My first lesson is next week.

Yea! I remember your post when you first put it up. Glad someone is understanding. I think having 3 weeks between lessons gives you plenty of time to work on material and make you yearn for your next lesson. :D

congrats owa, go in there and blow him away, if he see's how dedicated you are he might
jugle his schedule around so he can give you lessons more frequently 8)