Your First Guitar Lesson
What to Expect at Your First Guitar Lesson
You are probably super excited to begin your guitar lessons. Your teacher is also excited to meet you and learn more about you so that he can adapt to your learning style and help you reach your goals. At your first lesson, your teacher will take inventory of your current playing level and experience, talk about your daily practice routine and help you with your posture and hand position.
If you have never played an instrument before, you will be given a lot of information during the first lesson. Don’t feel bad you can’t understand everything and remember that this is your lesson; it’s okay to ask questions.
If you have been playing the guitar for a while, your teacher may ask you to play something for him. This is just to give him an idea of your strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind that you are taking lessons to improve. So just do your best. Your teacher may also quiz you to figure out what you know and where you need improvement. Be honest if you don’t understand something so your teacher can help you.
At your first lesson, your teacher will discuss your daily practice routine. It is very important, especially in the beginning, that you practice every day. You will need a quiet place where you can practice each day for 10-60 minutes. Some teachers may have you record your daily practice if they feel it will help you see your progress and improve specific weaknesses.
If your first lesson is a trial lesson be sure to ask your teacher when he needs to hear back from you if you decide to sign up for regular lessons. Evaluate your teacher’s professionalism, knowledge, understanding, and your overall vibe. If it felt like a good fit, go for it. If not, let your teacher know as soon as possible. Good teachers know that they aren’t the best fit for everyone and they will encourage you to find a better teacher for you.
Students need to contribute to lessons in order for them to be effective. Your teacher knows his responsibility to you and to get you learning and playing. It isn’t enough, however, for you to be on time and talk enthusiastically about the guitar. You need to make sure you understand your teacher’s expectations so that you can get the most out of each lesson.
Guitar lessons are successful when both the teacher and the student understand their roles in the process. Teachers need to have a plan for their students and students need to follow that plan and ask questions along the way. When there are clear expectations, it becomes easy for students to reach their goals. If they are not reaching their goals, they can easily see who is not taking responsibility for their share of the work.