Showing posts with label you. Show all posts
Showing posts with label you. Show all posts
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Do You REALLY Think You Can Learn Guitar in 7 Days
Right now on Amazon: Master the Guitar in 7 Days $.099
Seriously? Wow, why the heck has it taken others so long? And were talking Mastering the guitar, not just playing it. Heres a dose of reality, its not going to happen! Yes, you can learn a 2 chord song in 7 days. Will you have it mastered? Doubtful. Is it a song youd be proud to show your friends? Hey, you guys want to jam on Skip to my Lou? Google play guitar in 7 days and youll be shocked and amazed at how many courses there are. Heres the hot tip of the day, save your money. Beginning guitar, getting better at guitar, mastering the guitar is a long term investment of time and money. If it were possible in a short time, there would be a lot more great guitar players.
OK, how long does it take?
The guitar is a very versatile instrument. Ive had students who took lessons for years, and Ive had students who were happy with knowing enough chords to strum and sing some songs. Remember, its not how long youve played, its how many hours you put in. I can tell you that it wont be a week or even a month. The big secret is that like every other worthwhile skill it takes time, dedication and practice. Getting by the total beginner stage in about 6 months is a good goal. The most important consideration is how good to you want to be?
Are these courses any good at all?
Surprisingly, Im going to say yes. I just cant imagine advertising something in that way when Im sure they all know its not going to happen. Theres good material in a lot of the lessons, theres even good stuff available for free. The problem is in making outrageous claims. Playing and learning guitar without a teacher involves lots of self discipline, the ability to decide if youre doing things correctly, and being able to not want or need any feedback. You cant ask a DVD, a CD or a book a question. Without being able to actually watch a student its very difficult to help solve problems. So, do you want to save a few bucks and be a do it yourselfer? Or, are you willing to make the sacrifice and spend the time and money to get started the right way?
Seriously? Wow, why the heck has it taken others so long? And were talking Mastering the guitar, not just playing it. Heres a dose of reality, its not going to happen! Yes, you can learn a 2 chord song in 7 days. Will you have it mastered? Doubtful. Is it a song youd be proud to show your friends? Hey, you guys want to jam on Skip to my Lou? Google play guitar in 7 days and youll be shocked and amazed at how many courses there are. Heres the hot tip of the day, save your money. Beginning guitar, getting better at guitar, mastering the guitar is a long term investment of time and money. If it were possible in a short time, there would be a lot more great guitar players.
OK, how long does it take?
The guitar is a very versatile instrument. Ive had students who took lessons for years, and Ive had students who were happy with knowing enough chords to strum and sing some songs. Remember, its not how long youve played, its how many hours you put in. I can tell you that it wont be a week or even a month. The big secret is that like every other worthwhile skill it takes time, dedication and practice. Getting by the total beginner stage in about 6 months is a good goal. The most important consideration is how good to you want to be?
Are these courses any good at all?
Surprisingly, Im going to say yes. I just cant imagine advertising something in that way when Im sure they all know its not going to happen. Theres good material in a lot of the lessons, theres even good stuff available for free. The problem is in making outrageous claims. Playing and learning guitar without a teacher involves lots of self discipline, the ability to decide if youre doing things correctly, and being able to not want or need any feedback. You cant ask a DVD, a CD or a book a question. Without being able to actually watch a student its very difficult to help solve problems. So, do you want to save a few bucks and be a do it yourselfer? Or, are you willing to make the sacrifice and spend the time and money to get started the right way?
Friday, September 27, 2013
Are You Going to Listen to Your Teacher or Your Friends
Beware of your well meaning friends
Once a beginner starts learning to play guitar, there are all kinds of advice being given by well meaning friends. They have your best interests in mind, but most of them dont teach and therefore the advice you get may not be all good. A good guitar teacher will steer you in the right direction, make sure you dont pick songs that are beyond your skill level and help you make steady progress. Your friends will suggest what they learned, try to help you, but not remember how hard it was in the beginning. Ive had students who got conflicting advice, ideas that would do harm than good, and shown songs, riffs and licks that were way beyond their current abilities.
Pick a teacher thats right for you
There are lots of guitar teachers available, many of them quite good, some not so good, and some good but not for you. The best advice is to ask questions, make sure your teacher has experience with beginning guitar students, and can play and teach the music you like. It doesnt have to be the only style he or she is interested in, but at the minimum a basic understanding is needed. For example, Ive had students that wanted to learn classical guitar, flamenco guitar, slack key guitar and other types of music that Im not comfortable teaching, so I helped them find a teacher that would be more helpful. A good teacher will be up front with you and tell you if you should find someone else.
Once a beginner starts learning to play guitar, there are all kinds of advice being given by well meaning friends. They have your best interests in mind, but most of them dont teach and therefore the advice you get may not be all good. A good guitar teacher will steer you in the right direction, make sure you dont pick songs that are beyond your skill level and help you make steady progress. Your friends will suggest what they learned, try to help you, but not remember how hard it was in the beginning. Ive had students who got conflicting advice, ideas that would do harm than good, and shown songs, riffs and licks that were way beyond their current abilities.
Pick a teacher thats right for you
There are lots of guitar teachers available, many of them quite good, some not so good, and some good but not for you. The best advice is to ask questions, make sure your teacher has experience with beginning guitar students, and can play and teach the music you like. It doesnt have to be the only style he or she is interested in, but at the minimum a basic understanding is needed. For example, Ive had students that wanted to learn classical guitar, flamenco guitar, slack key guitar and other types of music that Im not comfortable teaching, so I helped them find a teacher that would be more helpful. A good teacher will be up front with you and tell you if you should find someone else.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Are You a Settler
Do you practice the same songs over and over?
Have you settled into a practice routine thats in your comfort zone? Is playing the same old songs keeping you from learning new material? While its a good idea to review and not lose the skills you have, you also can improve your guitar playing by working on newer, more challenging songs. I see students who pretty much refuse to move forward once theyre comfortable with their repertoire. Or, sometimes they get so hung up on a song they end up in a rut.
Become a pioneer instead of a settler.
While its not easy to pioneer new sounds, stretching out and playing other kinds of music, listening to different genres, and exploring the fingerboard are all ways to improve your guitar playing. Not sure what kinds of music youd like to play? Have your guitar teacher play some different styles for you, listen to some of the best guitar players and keep an open mind. There are fantastic guitar players regardless of the type of music they play.
How many of these names do you recognize?
Heres a list of guitar players you may or may not have heard of. Spend a little time listening and learning about them and you just might be surprised as well as inspired. In no particular order and in no particular style:
Have you settled into a practice routine thats in your comfort zone? Is playing the same old songs keeping you from learning new material? While its a good idea to review and not lose the skills you have, you also can improve your guitar playing by working on newer, more challenging songs. I see students who pretty much refuse to move forward once theyre comfortable with their repertoire. Or, sometimes they get so hung up on a song they end up in a rut.
Become a pioneer instead of a settler.
While its not easy to pioneer new sounds, stretching out and playing other kinds of music, listening to different genres, and exploring the fingerboard are all ways to improve your guitar playing. Not sure what kinds of music youd like to play? Have your guitar teacher play some different styles for you, listen to some of the best guitar players and keep an open mind. There are fantastic guitar players regardless of the type of music they play.
How many of these names do you recognize?
Heres a list of guitar players you may or may not have heard of. Spend a little time listening and learning about them and you just might be surprised as well as inspired. In no particular order and in no particular style:
- Chet Atkins
- Doc Watson
- Eric Clapton
- Jimmy Paige
- Tony Rice
- Joe Pass
- Django Reinhardt
- Carlos Santana
- Jerry Garcia
- Andres Segovia
- Julian Bream
- Les Paul
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Frequently Asked Questions and What You Should Ask
The most frequently asked questions:
- How much are lessons? Probably the top question and the one that should be much lower on the list. As with any other purchase, you get what you pay for. Do you really want to take lessons or have your child learn from the cheapest teacher? While price is no guarantee of quality its certainly wise to be leery of someone with ridiculously low prices.
- At what age should my child start guitar lessons? Most guitar teachers will start a beginner at age 7 or 8. There are some programs, Child Bloom and Kindermusic that start them younger. The critical decision here is how you as a parent will react when your new student doesnt practice as much as you think they should. The most important part of learning guitar at this age is for the child to enjoy the lessons. Nagging, reminding, and scolding them does much more harm than good.
- Am I too old to learn guitar? In most cases, no. As long as you have desire and time to practice, youll do fine. Setting realistic goals, being patient and finding time are the biggest obstacles adults face.
- What guitar method do you use? Most teachers will start you off with a book of some sort, get you moving around on the guitar, and then gear the lessons more to the style of music youd like to play. Be wary of the teacher that uses the same approach whether youre 7, 17 or 70.
- What kind of music do you play? Lots of teachers advertise that they can teach you any style of music youd like, but be aware that it doesnt mean theyre equally good at all types of music. This is most important if you have a specific style of music in mind. While there is some overlap, there are different techniques, licks, (small musical phrases), and sounds that define the music.
- Have you worked with children before? Some teachers cant or dont want to teach younger students, so be sure you ask if you have a young child.
- Are you comfortable or qualified teaching my special needs child? There have been many instances where weve had parents register their child and then almost as an afterthought mention that they have ADD, a learning disability of some sort, or an emotional problem that well have to deal with. Its very awkward for the teacher to find this out after the fact.
- What qualifications do you have? While a college degree is nice, it shouldnt be the only consideration. When I hire a teacher I look for a combination of education, teaching, performing experience and a genuine interest in teaching. Our students trust that we know what were doing and we cant let them down.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Are You Spending Too Much Time in Your Comfort Zone
Practicing what doesnt need practicing.
First of all, yes, reviewing old material is good. What many beginning guitar students do is practice what they already know, not what theyre supposed to be learning. I hear the "thats too hard" excuse many times in the course of a week. Usually it means, "its easier to play what I already know". The way to improve your guitar playing is to be trying new songs, picking techniques, working on rhythm and all the other things your teacher is showing you.
Getting distracted.
Where do you practice and how many times during practice is there an interruption? Cell phones, the internet, texting, television, way too many distractions. I even had a student tell me one time that he had the radio on in the background while he practiced! Upon further questioning, he assured me that it was at a very low volume and not at all interfering with what he was doing. Wow.
Goals during practice.
Is it possible to have set goals and still have fun playing the guitar? Absolutely. There are times when you do need to be completely serious, but there are also times when you can let go. I encourage my guitar students to make a game out of practice. See if you can play the song or exercise a certain number of times without a mistake. See how slow or how fast you can play. Make up words to the songs, you get the idea.
Get out of the comfort zone.
Everyone needs to push once in a while to keep improving. Problem areas include never being able to memorize a song, going back and playing songs that are way too easy at this point, and never totally finishing a song. If there are still trouble spots, FIX THEM. Dont practice mistakes, and dont avoid the harder passages. Almost every song has at least one, so work it out.
First of all, yes, reviewing old material is good. What many beginning guitar students do is practice what they already know, not what theyre supposed to be learning. I hear the "thats too hard" excuse many times in the course of a week. Usually it means, "its easier to play what I already know". The way to improve your guitar playing is to be trying new songs, picking techniques, working on rhythm and all the other things your teacher is showing you.
Getting distracted.
Where do you practice and how many times during practice is there an interruption? Cell phones, the internet, texting, television, way too many distractions. I even had a student tell me one time that he had the radio on in the background while he practiced! Upon further questioning, he assured me that it was at a very low volume and not at all interfering with what he was doing. Wow.
Goals during practice.
Is it possible to have set goals and still have fun playing the guitar? Absolutely. There are times when you do need to be completely serious, but there are also times when you can let go. I encourage my guitar students to make a game out of practice. See if you can play the song or exercise a certain number of times without a mistake. See how slow or how fast you can play. Make up words to the songs, you get the idea.
Get out of the comfort zone.
Everyone needs to push once in a while to keep improving. Problem areas include never being able to memorize a song, going back and playing songs that are way too easy at this point, and never totally finishing a song. If there are still trouble spots, FIX THEM. Dont practice mistakes, and dont avoid the harder passages. Almost every song has at least one, so work it out.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
When Your Best Isnt Good Enough What Do You Do
What now, you may ask.
Beginning guitar students have lots of doubts in the beginning, and it can be very frustrating. Lets say your guitar teacher has given you a song you really like, youve practiced and practiced and its just not coming together. What do you do now? Have you reached a plateau, or are you not going to play any better?
Analysis, but not too much.
The first step is to record yourself and listen to what your playing sounds like. Is it as bad as you thought? Better? Worse? Be a critic, but dont beat yourself up over it. Listen with an open mind and be objective. Think about whether the whole song sounds bad or whether its certain spots that you continue to have trouble with. Play the recording for your teacher so you can get a second opinion.
Ask for your teachers honest opinion.
Any good guitar teacher will be honest about the good and points of your playing, so ask for his or her opinion. Maybe the song is too hard for you at this point in your development and you need to acquire more skills. I had a 10 year old student who wanted to learn Crazy Train after hed been playing for only a few months. He insisted hed "practice real hard", but the my bad news for him was that he just didnt have the technique down. Its hard to accept the fact that you cant play what you want to play, but like anything else, you need to be prepared to wait.
Trust your teacher or your gut instinct?
Ive had students who get advice from so many different sources it makes things worse instead of better. Keep in mind that not everyone teaches the same way, and not everyone learns the same way. I let my students give it a shot, but if after a few weeks the song isnt fun anymore and theyve hit the proverbial brick wall, its time to step back and learn the techniques youll need before you attempt the song again. Not ready to give up? More power to you, but again, dont be afraid to learn something thats a little easier to play.
Beginning guitar students have lots of doubts in the beginning, and it can be very frustrating. Lets say your guitar teacher has given you a song you really like, youve practiced and practiced and its just not coming together. What do you do now? Have you reached a plateau, or are you not going to play any better?
Analysis, but not too much.
The first step is to record yourself and listen to what your playing sounds like. Is it as bad as you thought? Better? Worse? Be a critic, but dont beat yourself up over it. Listen with an open mind and be objective. Think about whether the whole song sounds bad or whether its certain spots that you continue to have trouble with. Play the recording for your teacher so you can get a second opinion.
Ask for your teachers honest opinion.
Any good guitar teacher will be honest about the good and points of your playing, so ask for his or her opinion. Maybe the song is too hard for you at this point in your development and you need to acquire more skills. I had a 10 year old student who wanted to learn Crazy Train after hed been playing for only a few months. He insisted hed "practice real hard", but the my bad news for him was that he just didnt have the technique down. Its hard to accept the fact that you cant play what you want to play, but like anything else, you need to be prepared to wait.
Trust your teacher or your gut instinct?
Ive had students who get advice from so many different sources it makes things worse instead of better. Keep in mind that not everyone teaches the same way, and not everyone learns the same way. I let my students give it a shot, but if after a few weeks the song isnt fun anymore and theyve hit the proverbial brick wall, its time to step back and learn the techniques youll need before you attempt the song again. Not ready to give up? More power to you, but again, dont be afraid to learn something thats a little easier to play.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Are You Putting Too Much Pressure on Yourself
The race to be an awesome guitarist
Are you trying too hard to play guitar in the shortest time possible? Have you read too much beginner guitar player hype about how you can learn the guitar in a weekend, 7 days, play every song with little or no practice? Let me pop the bubble for you. Anyone that tells you that is being totally dishonest. Ask any accomplished guitar player or guitar teacher and youll be told the same thing. Learn in a weekend? Sure, I can teach to play in a weekend as long as youre trying to play the first few notes of Smoke on the Water.
Its all about muscle memory, practice and passion
Believe me, when I first started playing guitar I was sure, (or at least hopeful), that if I practiced enough Id get good really quickly. I practiced guitar several hours a day, tried to play music with my best friend Rich, hung around other guitarists who were better than me, and studied out of lots of books. My conclusion? You cant speed the process up too much. Yes, you may be able to play a song in a relatively short amount of time, but your fingers and your brain have to be trained to remember all of it. If you put in the time youll get there, but you cant do it without a commitment to practice. Ask yourself how much you want to be able to play the guitar. Do you have a real passion for music or does it seem like this quaint idea.
Get help, get motivated and get involved
If you dont have a guitar teacher or mentor, get one! A good teacher can help you figure out what you want to play, what youre capable of playing at each stage, and be a guide for your musical journey. To get motivated you need to listen to lots of music, challenge yourself when you practice, and have your teacher give you feedback and pay attention to it. I love when I suggest something to a student and he or she replies "that might be a good idea." No, it IS a good idea. Ive devoted my entire adult like to teaching and I can guarantee you that what Im telling you works. Getting involved means supporting live music, participating in jam sessions, and finding out what the music scene is like in your area.
Remember: Its not how many years youve been playing, its how many hours youve put in.
Are you trying too hard to play guitar in the shortest time possible? Have you read too much beginner guitar player hype about how you can learn the guitar in a weekend, 7 days, play every song with little or no practice? Let me pop the bubble for you. Anyone that tells you that is being totally dishonest. Ask any accomplished guitar player or guitar teacher and youll be told the same thing. Learn in a weekend? Sure, I can teach to play in a weekend as long as youre trying to play the first few notes of Smoke on the Water.
Its all about muscle memory, practice and passion
Believe me, when I first started playing guitar I was sure, (or at least hopeful), that if I practiced enough Id get good really quickly. I practiced guitar several hours a day, tried to play music with my best friend Rich, hung around other guitarists who were better than me, and studied out of lots of books. My conclusion? You cant speed the process up too much. Yes, you may be able to play a song in a relatively short amount of time, but your fingers and your brain have to be trained to remember all of it. If you put in the time youll get there, but you cant do it without a commitment to practice. Ask yourself how much you want to be able to play the guitar. Do you have a real passion for music or does it seem like this quaint idea.
Get help, get motivated and get involved
If you dont have a guitar teacher or mentor, get one! A good teacher can help you figure out what you want to play, what youre capable of playing at each stage, and be a guide for your musical journey. To get motivated you need to listen to lots of music, challenge yourself when you practice, and have your teacher give you feedback and pay attention to it. I love when I suggest something to a student and he or she replies "that might be a good idea." No, it IS a good idea. Ive devoted my entire adult like to teaching and I can guarantee you that what Im telling you works. Getting involved means supporting live music, participating in jam sessions, and finding out what the music scene is like in your area.
Remember: Its not how many years youve been playing, its how many hours youve put in.
Friday, July 26, 2013
What Do You Do to Learn A New Song
How to go about learning new material
Listen to the song. Get a copy of the new song and listen to it several times. Before you attempt to play your guitar on a song you have to listen and understand exactly how it goes. Many times a student will insist he or she knows how it goes, only to find a part they dont remember. Being able to hum or sing the song means you have the ability to know what its supposed to sound like.
Dont practice mistakes. When youre just starting to learn a song on your guitar, go slowly enough that you cant make a mistake. Guitar playing is all about muscle memory and your fingers remember all of it, good and bad.
Do what works best for you. Everyone has a different way of learning. Some guitar teachers advocate learning one measure or even just a small phrase while others encourage you to play the whole song. The best thing to do is experiment and see what works for you.
Be patient and dont try to rush. A common beginning guitar player mistake is to try to play fast. Remember, if you cant play it slow, you cant play it fast.
Using these playing tips should help you improve at a faster rate, so experiment and give them a try.
Listen to the song. Get a copy of the new song and listen to it several times. Before you attempt to play your guitar on a song you have to listen and understand exactly how it goes. Many times a student will insist he or she knows how it goes, only to find a part they dont remember. Being able to hum or sing the song means you have the ability to know what its supposed to sound like.
Dont practice mistakes. When youre just starting to learn a song on your guitar, go slowly enough that you cant make a mistake. Guitar playing is all about muscle memory and your fingers remember all of it, good and bad.
Do what works best for you. Everyone has a different way of learning. Some guitar teachers advocate learning one measure or even just a small phrase while others encourage you to play the whole song. The best thing to do is experiment and see what works for you.
Be patient and dont try to rush. A common beginning guitar player mistake is to try to play fast. Remember, if you cant play it slow, you cant play it fast.
Using these playing tips should help you improve at a faster rate, so experiment and give them a try.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Are You Learning Guitar the Right Way
Have you ever wondered if youre learning guitar the right way?
After working on playing guitar for a few months, a beginning guitar student will wonder if theres something he or she can be doing better so that they learn guitar the "right way." The first thing to keep in mind is that everyones tastes and goals are different, so you may want to start thinking instead in terms of learning the "right way for me."
The guitar is a very versatile instrument.
Since the guitar is so versatile, there are many approaches to teaching and learning. One of the first things you and your guitar teacher should do is have an interview to help you understand the different teaching methods and ways of getting started. The type of music you like, the equipment you own, your previous musical background, and the level of commitment will all be considerations. Its a good idea to think about these things before you set up your first lesson. Hint: "I just want to learn guitar, I want to learn songs," and other general statements Dont Help! Dig deeper and find what really would make you want to stick with learning guitar. Think about particular artists, bands and styles of music. The more details you can provide the better.
So, whats the right way to learn then?
Set goals, learn technique and remember that youre supposed to be having fun. If youve never played an instrument before youll have to develop a basic skill set to work from. Your guitar teacher will help you learn what tools youll need to play the style you like. For example, if you want to play rock guitar you need to work with using a pick, and you cant give up on it. Too many beginning guitarists get discouraged and think theyll find a short cut to learning. Believe me, it will catch up to you and youre not going to like relearning something.
After working on playing guitar for a few months, a beginning guitar student will wonder if theres something he or she can be doing better so that they learn guitar the "right way." The first thing to keep in mind is that everyones tastes and goals are different, so you may want to start thinking instead in terms of learning the "right way for me."
The guitar is a very versatile instrument.
Since the guitar is so versatile, there are many approaches to teaching and learning. One of the first things you and your guitar teacher should do is have an interview to help you understand the different teaching methods and ways of getting started. The type of music you like, the equipment you own, your previous musical background, and the level of commitment will all be considerations. Its a good idea to think about these things before you set up your first lesson. Hint: "I just want to learn guitar, I want to learn songs," and other general statements Dont Help! Dig deeper and find what really would make you want to stick with learning guitar. Think about particular artists, bands and styles of music. The more details you can provide the better.
So, whats the right way to learn then?
Set goals, learn technique and remember that youre supposed to be having fun. If youve never played an instrument before youll have to develop a basic skill set to work from. Your guitar teacher will help you learn what tools youll need to play the style you like. For example, if you want to play rock guitar you need to work with using a pick, and you cant give up on it. Too many beginning guitarists get discouraged and think theyll find a short cut to learning. Believe me, it will catch up to you and youre not going to like relearning something.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Guitar Wiring Problems 5 Things to Check Out Before You Spend Money on New Parts
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| photo by notsogoodphotography |
I've got a few tips for you that will help you repair your guitar and probably also save some money. This is what you should check out when your guitar wiring doesn't work properly:
Open your guitar's wiring cavity. Watch out on the body finish.
1. Switches
A (Gibson): If you have problems with a Gibson-style switch, try to look at it closer. Do you see that springy, thin pieces of metal. Try to carefully push them to the inside of the switch. Sometimes, after years of work, they are pushed out a little bit.
B: Use compressed air (or just blow) to get rid of dust inside the switch. You might be surprised what a little bit of dirt can do.
2. Connections, joints:
Read more »
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Is Your Guitar Teacher Inspiring You or Showing Off
Inspiration or show-off?
Theres a fine line when it comes to showing a beginning guitar student how a song goes, and having him or her interpret it as showing off. Ive had students tell me I was showing off or trying to show them up, when actually I was playing the song fast enough that they would hear what it was supposed to sound like.
Does your teacher show off sometimes?
Absolutely! Most of the time its when Im asked to play something, maybe even on a different instrument. Students have asked me to play the banjo for them, or if they play banjo to play something on the guitar. Sometimes theyre searching for credibility or checking to see if you really can play a particular song.
Whats the problem?
The problem pops up when your guitar teacher does more playing than teaching. Were not talking about accompanying you, but rather playing instead of teaching. This happens a lot with teachers who are either inexperienced, lacking in self confidence or just trying to impress the student.
What should you do?
It depends on how comfortable you are with it. When Ive been accused of showing off I explain why I played that song or passage in that way. I try to lead by example and make it clear that what I just played is for the benefit of the student. There are times when a certain technique or song has to be played at a faster pace for it to make sense. So, listen to what your teacher is playing, and if you have any questions or concerns about the motive behind it, just mention them and see what the answer is. Most of the time it will be played with every intention of instructing rather than showing off.
Theres a fine line when it comes to showing a beginning guitar student how a song goes, and having him or her interpret it as showing off. Ive had students tell me I was showing off or trying to show them up, when actually I was playing the song fast enough that they would hear what it was supposed to sound like.
Does your teacher show off sometimes?
Absolutely! Most of the time its when Im asked to play something, maybe even on a different instrument. Students have asked me to play the banjo for them, or if they play banjo to play something on the guitar. Sometimes theyre searching for credibility or checking to see if you really can play a particular song.
Whats the problem?
The problem pops up when your guitar teacher does more playing than teaching. Were not talking about accompanying you, but rather playing instead of teaching. This happens a lot with teachers who are either inexperienced, lacking in self confidence or just trying to impress the student.
What should you do?
It depends on how comfortable you are with it. When Ive been accused of showing off I explain why I played that song or passage in that way. I try to lead by example and make it clear that what I just played is for the benefit of the student. There are times when a certain technique or song has to be played at a faster pace for it to make sense. So, listen to what your teacher is playing, and if you have any questions or concerns about the motive behind it, just mention them and see what the answer is. Most of the time it will be played with every intention of instructing rather than showing off.
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