Posted by & filed under News.

Beginning guitar FAQs

When I get a new starter there are always things they want to know. So to make it easier for you all I have complied a list that will hopefully cover all the burning questions you have in mind:

  • Should I learn guitar?
    If you are reading this then you’ve been interested enough to look into it which says something. Learning guitar is a very rewarding and can be quite a cheap hobby in comparison to other things. Developing dexterity, memory, discipline, time management and many other qualitys which benefit everyone from a learning child to a retired grown up wanting to keep their mind trained. So basically…Yes!
  • Do I need a guitar to learn?
    Nope. I can provide a guitar whilst you get a feel for it and decide if you would like to continue. It is worth buying your own when you are ready as you can practice at home therefore making the most of your lessons but plenty of music shops do start up offers with guitars starting from around £50 and there’s always the option of second hand eBay buys too.
  • What age do you teach from?
    I recommend learning no younger than 9 years of age. I have taught younger but I have found they struggle to focus for the full 30minute lesson and aren’t as keen to practice on their own.
  • What type of music do you teach?
    I mostly teach modern contemporary music. This means everything from current tunes on the radio to any of the classics. You name it and we’ll learn it – Rock, Pop, Blues, Country, etc, etc! Unfortunately I do not teach classical guitar but I do teach Jazz and fusion to an advanced level.
  • How often should I practice?
    This completely depends on how quickly you’d like to progress and what fits in with your life. A few practice sessions a week should ideally ensure your ready to progress in the next lesson, making the most of your money, but the more the better – even if its just a few minutes a night before you hit the hay.
  • Will I have to read music?
    Not at all. Most guitar music is written in tablature, a noting system that is simple to learn which we will go over in lesson. However, if you are considering Graded Study sight reading is part of the exams.
  • Should I play acoustic or electric?
    It all depends on you really. If you fancy rocking out some power chords to some rock anthems and see yourself playing the electric then learn on an electric. If you’d prefer to play something more mellow round a campfire then acoustic may be better. Whichever you would rather learn in the long run is preferably what you should start with. You can try both in one of my lessons if you like! The brilliant thing about learning the guitar is that it doesn’t matter which you learn on, you will be able to happily pick either up and be able to play it despite what you have learnt on. In fact as many guitarist progress they usually end up getting one of each!
  • Where are you based?
    My guitar lessons are in the Chorley area branching out to Buckshaw Village, Leyland and Southport. You can visit my contact page for more specific locations.
  • Do you do home visits?
    Yes I do. Unfortunately these are limited due to work in my studios so are only available in the mornings or early afternoon and are charged at a slightly higher rate of £26 per hour to cover commuting.
  • Can I sit in the lessons with my child?
    Not a problem. Parents are allowed in the lesson with their child or until the child is happy on their own.

Closing Note: Be patient! One thing all new starters should know is; It Takes Time. Like any new skill, it will take a while to develop and the more practice put in the more you’ll get out of it. Just keep in mind you will get stuck, you may struggle with something but when you finally get it sussed, it will be all the more sweeter 🙂

If you have any more questions for me or think something should be added to the list then please see my site wmguitartuition.co.uk or feel free to get in touch at wayne@wmguitartuition.co.uk or through social media @wmguitartuition.

Comments are closed.