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Hi there

Based on a thread I was active in recently, I am going to resume lessons probably from next month or so.

Here are my requirements. I hope I am not being too forthcoming or narrow-minded but you folks know how I am feeling at the moment but
never mind that, this forum is all about helping people out too

I am looking for someone to teach me to play guitar properly.

Current knowledge:
Open Chords E A B G etc...
Some specialty items (a few add 9 chords) I taught myself from video clips & the interwebz
Music theory- started to "grasp" it and then got very sick in '10 and lost the plot as I stopped going for lessons shortly thereafter because I became very nearly insolvent.

Aims and Goals
1)To simply be able to play a relatively simple piece of music without too much pressure or too much difficulty. Previous teacher assumed I could
"just do it" like he does. Everything was so incredibly RUSHED.. I had to hang on for dear life...

2)To build good and PROPER technique and not to move onto other stuff until each required skill is mastered sufficiently, even if it means not playing for a month or two.

Musical style
I really love music by The Police and some other 80's bands. Previous teacher tried to teach me songs from 1990's and 2000's bands I personally disliked which led to zero progress.
But in the main, I regard Andy Summers as a big influence and I have been a fan of Sting's music since childhood. I like some other bands, but I really couldn't be bothered with bands like The All American Rejects, Nirvana, etc... With the exception of Rammstein I am really not interested in anything guitar from 1991 onwards...

I also accept that to make further progress a decent instrument will need to be had. I am currently making a plan to save up cash for a Fender Strat so I estimate by June/July I will be sorted with one of those. I think that's enough indication of the seriousness of this undertaking. I could easily spend that money on something that earns me money (a new SLR camera for my sideline business of Wedding Photography) but am choosing it to spend money on this!

If you can put me in touch with anyone you think can help me learn, then please PM me. If you are a teacher and you feel you can accommodate me then let's talk please.

    Good on you mate, thats a positive step in the right direction, good luck. :yup:
      Thanks... I haven't found anyone yet, although I've seen a lot of ads of late in the local rags...
        Have you looked into the Rock-school courses? They might suit you and generally a teacher who teaches a specific course, conforms to a particular standard.
          Now yes I have known about those for a while...
          However I might be wrong but my impression has been that they're more geared towards those who already have some standard of formal training and are not green, like I am. Because of that I haven't honestly considered them!
            Your previous teacher sounds quite harsh. I cant even imagine having someone forcing you through guitar. Guitar isn't a discipline, its a journey! (although having said that, it does become a discipline the more serious you take it)

            I would offer my services, but I dont think you anywhere near Stellenbosch. Goodluck with the search. I hope you find the same teachers I had been blessed with.
              The rock school grades go from Debut, which is basic level stuff, to grade 8 which is more intense and obviously most advanced.
                FruitarGeek wrote: Your previous teacher sounds quite harsh. I cant even imagine having someone forcing you through guitar. Guitar isn't a discipline, its a journey! (although having said that, it does become a discipline the more serious you take it)
                I think teachers are entitled to have expectations and to have their preferred way of working.

                Say X-Rated Bob is giving little Johnny lessons. Say little Johnny doesn't feel like practicing that scale that XRB said he should practice. XRB, being a kind person, doesn't say anything or do anything when Johnny doesn't do his homework.

                6 months later word gets around from Johnny's dad that "I sent Johnny to X-Rated Bob and he hasn't learned a damn thing." Not good for XRB's reputation.

                Not saying that Tamago is a little Johnny. Just saying that teachers are entitled to have expectations of the pupil as well.
                  Slight hijack; but related.

                  As a parent you have to figure out which schools to send your kids to.
                  So you seek opinions.
                  People usually have strong opinions about which schools are "good" and which are "bad".
                  But the stories aren't consistent.

                  I've come to the conclusion that a good school is one where there's a good match between pupil and school (for whatever weird unknown reason)

                  I think it's the same with music teachers.
                  Just needs to be a match.
                    Tamago, congrats on your decision. I hope it also allows you to enjoy this forum more in the future.

                    Given some of your issues with your previous tuition, have you heard about www.justinguitar.com? This very pleasant Tasmanian fella (and a very experienced teacher and pro performer) has complete beginner's and intermediate guitar courses for free online - all broken down into not-to-long youtube vids with text commentary and guitar tablature.

                    Now obviously it's in many ways more difficult to follow a course of self-study, but given that you had problems with pacing, it might just be part of the solution.

                    Good luck. The learning curve with guitar is very steep. But that's also what makes it a lifelong pleasure.
                      5 days later
                      X-rated Bob wrote: I think teachers are entitled to have expectations and to have their preferred way of working.

                      Say X-Rated Bob is giving little Johnny lessons. Say little Johnny doesn't feel like practicing that scale that XRB said he should practice. XRB, being a kind person, doesn't say anything or do anything when Johnny doesn't do his homework.

                      6 months later word gets around from Johnny's dad that "I sent Johnny to X-Rated Bob and he hasn't learned a damn thing." Not good for XRB's reputation.

                      Not saying that Tamago is a little Johnny. Just saying that teachers are entitled to have expectations of the pupil as well.
                      Yes and No!

                      Teachers are allowed to have expectations, obviously, we all do, but the question becomes at what point will they start to push and force their students to learn. Ultimately the teacher is still getting paid, if the student doesnt want to learn yet, it just means more guitar lessons and more money for the teacher.

                      Im sure the parents will know the type of character their child is, and whether he does or does not do his homework. It is their duty to make him learn. But then again, how can you force someone to make them learn guitar. Guitar should come from you. I am a very good example. I went to lessons from when I was about 15, and because I didnt understand, I didnt learn, well I didnt erally do my homework. It would of made no difference if I did. Sure I would of knowon how to play the harmonic minor. But would I really have appreciated it, and known its use?

                      As of recently, since I have really become in-love with everything guitar related, I have taken the initiative to learn. I am further in my 6 months of training then I was in 2 years. You have to want it! Thats why my teacher doesnt really want to teach children under 13, cause do they really know?
                        And please excuse my typo's and possibly unstructed argument. This computer I'm on, wont let me see all the text that was written, so I was kinda going blind 8)
                          FruitarGeek wrote: I would offer my services, but I dont think you anywhere near Stellenbosch. Goodluck with the search. I hope you find the same teachers I had been blessed with.
                          Do you give lessons? or know of someone good in stellies who gives lessons?

                          I'm kind of toying with the idea of going for lessons again...
                            Thanks for the advice given.

                            Is there a list, in addition to the info given here, of all or most of the teachers in Roodepoort area, so that I can work through the list, go and meet the people and see who will suit me best?
                              is krugersdorp too far for you dude?
                                lol... Evolucian, Tamago IS in Krugersdorp ?
                                  Norman86 wrote: lol... Evolucian, Tamago IS in Krugersdorp ?
                                  His thingy says roodepoort... roodepoort stretches quite a distance... ?
                                    7 days later
                                    Sorry I didn't see the responses to my query, until now ☹

                                    Krugersdorp is not far... I am in Roodepoort, close to Ruimsig, which in itself is already far out of Roodepoort if you think Roodepoort central.
                                    I don't have issues travelling.

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