Which type of guitar teacher should I choose?

[littlecabbage]

Morning All, I posted this in "extra-curricular activities" but got no response!

My 8yo DS has been asking to start guitar lessons. I think he has seen people playing electric guitar in bands rather than seen anyone play acoustic guitar. There is a local “rock school” which teaches keyboard, electric guitar, drums, etc, and seems to be generally well-regarded.

On their website, they say they put kids in for grades, and there is a photo of a grade certificate for Electric Guitar, issued by RSL. Can anyone advise if this seems like the right sort of direction to head in, or should I be looking for a teacher who teaches various styles of guitar, for a more rounded tuition?

And would RSL be a good examination board to attain grades with? I only learnt classical instruments, and did grades with ABRSM. I see that they offer guitar grades also - would these be considered better?

It’s not all about the accreditation, obviously. Most importantly, I want him to enjoy it enough to work hard at it and have the satisfaction of progression. But I wonder if just doing electric guitar may be a bit limiting in the future? Equally, would a teacher who does various styles be likely to include some electric guitar stuff?

TIA.

My children both learned classical before heading towards bass at ages 11. They both play bass now...electric rock style bass.

I think classical is better. It's easier for beginners as the strings are softer.

I'd go with classical too. Nylon strung is a lot easier to learn on when earning your callouses on your fingers. Steel strung is difficult to learn on as it's bloody painful. And is where most children tend to give up.

My DD plays bass. This was after a heavy practice.

To answer your question, why not try a few different teachers. What may seem like a good option for the future may mean absolutely bugger all if the teacher and the kid dont gel. Or as in our case, the setting didn't work for DD as it was a group lesson whereas she prefers a one on one lesson.

Acoustic for me - this is a bit like the question of should you learn to drive in an automatic or manual car - manual, because you can then drive both.

I'd also value rapport with teacher over which school of grades they will put them in for. As a child I learned the flute, and I adored one teacher, despite her always promising to put me in for a higher grade of exam then switching it to an even higher one and I never actually did any - when I moved schools I had a boring and disinterested teacher and I lost all will to practice. He told me he wouldn't put me in for exams until I was more committed to practicing at home in between lessons, I did it every god damn night that week and he had an even bigger go at me the following week telling me it was clear I hadn't practiced at all . I quit soon after with the full support of my mother, a head teacher who didn't take any crap from me!

Gift your son the first type of teacher of the two, not the second, it's a hobby activity and let him fall in love with it over exams.

Thanks everyone - you're all saying the same thing, and confirmed my suspicions. I hadn't even considered the difference in strings, but "ouch" *TodaysFish", that picture is definitely off putting!

Good to know that he can indeed progress to electrical later if he wishes to, and I will definitely choose one-on-one lessons.

Based on all your comments, I'll see if the local teachers offer trial lessons to see who DS clicks with.

Learn acoustic before electric. I work for a music service and we get quite a few applying for electric or bass guitar lessons when they have never picked up a guitar at all. Electric and bass guitars are pretty weighty, too.

DS2 (10) learns acoustic. He still finds his Dad's electric too loud!

They are the same instrument. They have different playing styles and there are some things you can do on one that you can't do on another.

I would prioritise what he wants to do first of all. There's no point doing it the "right" way with a classical acoustic if he won't enjoy it and doesn't like that music. He'll just get fed up and quit, probably. Once he has some ability he'll easily be able to transfer this to another type of guitar or style of play in the future.

Thanks everyone. I spoke to a local teacher today who is on the Royal Schools of Music "find a tutor" website, and teaches all styles of guitar to grade 8 level. My son has a trial booked with him and will start on an acoustic guitar but with scope to try other styles also.

Grade exams are an option but not compulsory.

I really appreciate all the advice, thanks.

Yeah I would do the first, but still get him a nylon stringed acoustic to start so his fingers can build up strength.

Half the fun of guitar at that age was the whole social aspect and putting bands together.

I had to go through classical acoustic before i graduate to electric anx i absolutely hated it by the time i was good i was so sick and demotivated i ended up cringing just from the sight of guitars 😂
Passion and feeling you are progrrssing in what matters to you is more important in music.

That checklists of grades and techniques

I would ask him! It’s an appropriate choice for him to make.

I agree string pain is the number one reason to stop but the number two reason is being forced through “The Guitarist’s Way” when you want to play “Smoke on the Water”.

The rock music teachers are more than capable of advising on strings.....

Agree with Coughyforyou.

Bear in mind too that the national curriculum has turned education in all core subjects into a series of fixed progress points. Reproduce that in a hobby only if it’s good for the particular child I reckon..... (it may be right for your son)

Hi OP, I’ve been playing guitar for over 25 years. I’d recommend starting with acoustic first of all. Once he’s learned how to play an acoustic electric will be easy for him to pick up. Starting with acoustic will help build up his finger strength, and if he starts on electric he’ll struggle with acoustic.

In my experience it’s important to find a teacher who will teach him good technique. The amount of guitarists I come across who have awful technique in unbelievable. It’s fine if you just want to play easy stuff, or hammer away at power chords, but if you try to play harder pieces, of any type, and your technique is crap you’ll really struggle. If you look at all the shit hot guitarists they all have good technique. People do have their own ways of doing things, but that tends to come after they’ve learnt the basics well.

Good luck to your DS. Learning to play guitar is great, but it’s something he’ll really have to work at. It’s more of an obsession than a hobby.

Thanks Whatisthisfuckery. I hope that by choosing someone from the Register of Guitar Tutors from the London College of Music (think I said name slightly wrong upthread), I will be ensuring DS is taught well.

We have discussed that he will have to practice at least twice a week in addition to his lesson, and he's agreed to that, so I hope he gets the bug!