Giving guitar lessons - how ?
- Thread starter Plendakor
- Start date
I teach guitar for a living.
It's much harder work than you might imagine and to do it properly you need to be well prepared and honest. Most of your work will come from kids/beginners. You need to come up with a plan of attack to get results.
I wouldn't get too judgemental about the types of guitars you'll encounter...most people don't have any interest in expensive equipment: they just want to play some tunes they like and have fun.
I charge weekly or for a set of 4 lessons at a time. I charge 30 euro per hour or 100 if 4 lessons are paid for up front.
It's much harder work than you might imagine and to do it properly you need to be well prepared and honest. Most of your work will come from kids/beginners. You need to come up with a plan of attack to get results.
I wouldn't get too judgemental about the types of guitars you'll encounter...most people don't have any interest in expensive equipment: they just want to play some tunes they like and have fun.
I charge weekly or for a set of 4 lessons at a time. I charge 30 euro per hour or 100 if 4 lessons are paid for up front.
smy1
Member
If you think you are a terrible teacher and have a hard time with beginners then don't become a teacher. It'll be better for you and your students.
I've taught a few kids beginner guitar stuff, it's actually easy if the kid isn't a dunce. 35 bucks an hour, show em strumming, a few chords and you're done. Easy work.
LeSedna
Mat or Mateo
LeSedna
Mat or Mateo
Damn, my phone app always bugs with the euro symbol.
Basically I was saying : always put yourself in the perspective of the student, no need to get too deep too fast into something, and most of all make it enjoyable with him/her and tell him/her when he/she progresses. If you enjoy it, it's not hard.
1. Dont dress like a metal head, look sharp and clean
2. Curb your expectations. Most students will be starting around the ages 4 -12. And none of your students will be as passionate as you.
3. Think long term for your student and yourself. A hard working and capable student can learn all the open chords and basic scales and techniques in a couple of months. Then you're fucked cos noone wants to progress so fast and then discover music notation and bar chords.
4. Teenagers may be more rewarding musically but younger kids make you more money. IMO teenagers cancel alot, little kid's parents never miss a lesson. I almost exclusively teach younger people now because i make a lot more money. Also younger kids parents pass your number around, i only have one teenager's parents who recommend me.
5. Offer to come to the student for a surcharge. I sometimes have 5 lessons in a row all near each other and i charge an extra $10 per lesson. That day i earn just over $400 between my day job teaching at schools and then going to people houses at night. I used to earn less than that working 4 days a week.
You can make a very good living teaching guitar but the secret isn't how you are as a player. You just have to present yourself as someone worth visiting every single week.
2. Curb your expectations. Most students will be starting around the ages 4 -12. And none of your students will be as passionate as you.
3. Think long term for your student and yourself. A hard working and capable student can learn all the open chords and basic scales and techniques in a couple of months. Then you're fucked cos noone wants to progress so fast and then discover music notation and bar chords.
4. Teenagers may be more rewarding musically but younger kids make you more money. IMO teenagers cancel alot, little kid's parents never miss a lesson. I almost exclusively teach younger people now because i make a lot more money. Also younger kids parents pass your number around, i only have one teenager's parents who recommend me.
5. Offer to come to the student for a surcharge. I sometimes have 5 lessons in a row all near each other and i charge an extra $10 per lesson. That day i earn just over $400 between my day job teaching at schools and then going to people houses at night. I used to earn less than that working 4 days a week.
You can make a very good living teaching guitar but the secret isn't how you are as a player. You just have to present yourself as someone worth visiting every single week.
hurdy
Sup
Did it for about 4 years. It sucked. Much more work than you think if you want to keep people coming back for more
I love it. I've been teaching professionally for about 8 years now. I find it to be very rewarding.
The Unavoidable
jättebög
You would probably have to branch out considerably, and listen/play music you never have heard before since the kids coming in will want to play vastly different styles of music depending on what they like. I have had several encounters with professional guitar teachers who were totally snowed in on one single style of music, and were completely unable to comprehend that someone might not be as keen on learing every note from Pat Methenys debut album as they are.
Very true. I know of guys who think it'll be awesome because they think they'll be teaching Paul Gilbert licks all day. It just doesn't work that way.
ronnan
Tactical Header
Sometimes but I'm ok with that. I sometimes need time off for recording. I only ever charge if someone has a really lame excuse for not coming. For me, that approach works best and parents love the flexibility.
XxSicRokerxX
Gabriel R.
During my High School days, I occasionally taught a few peer girls how to play guitar...and occasionally it would lead to other things 
You'd be surprised how many times I've heard "You play guitar?!? I want to learn", its like they were saying "Here, take me"
You'd be surprised how many times I've heard "You play guitar?!? I want to learn", its like they were saying "Here, take me" 
Skinny Viking
¯\(°_o)/¯ How do Lydian?
You'd be surprised how many times I've heard "You play guitar?!? I want to learn", its like they were saying "Here, take me"
do they still play guitar?
If not, then they were
bryan_kilco
Member
