If you are an experienced guitarist and want to share your skills with others, you will need to have a plan. Here are some ways to start teaching guitar lessons.
Steps
Step 1. Practice teaching friends for free
You will learn a lot about how to teach and can make mistakes in a friendly environment before challenging yourself with a more demanding environment. Remember that being able to play and being able to teach are two different things.
Step 2. Start slowly showing the basic scales and chords
The first chords to learn are those of the "Caged System" (Do, A, A minor, Sol, Mi, Mim, Re and Rem), which takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon terms to identify the notes. These chords do not require the student to learn more advanced techniques such as barrè, where it is necessary to press multiple strings with a single finger.
Step 3. Focus on your student's goals
If your student absolutely wants to learn some songs, make him work in that direction. If the student doesn't like the idea of learning scales, deal with them later. By focusing on your student's goals, you will keep him coming back for longer and making him happier. Create a plan to achieve these goals.
Step 4. You can download a free table showing simpler chords from CAGED_major_chords Wikipedia
Step 5. Find out what the guitar teacher rates are in your area
Decide which amount is right for you and your students.
Step 6. Use multiple methods to promote your classes
Some examples: word of mouth, advertisements, online ads, flyers. The more methods you use, the easier it will be to find new students.
Step 7. Don't try to teach too many things in one lesson
It will be much easier for your students to learn a limited number of well-defined concepts.
Step 8. Always ask for prepayment for your lessons
If possible, ask your students at least the cost of a month of lessons. Offer flexible payment options but make sure you get your money within a reasonable time.
Step 9. Search the internet for sites that can help you improve your lessons
Instead of spending a lot of time creating your own lessons, you can take advantage of the resources already available. You can find some sources of educational material in the "Sources and Citations" section of this guide.
Step 10. Explain the theory that justifies what you are doing, but remember that in the early stages of learning you should focus on developing your students' technique
Step 11. Edit the lessons for each individual student
That's why they're paying for a private teacher.
Advice
- A great place to post your flyers are bookstores and record stores. Ask the owner's permission or your flyers may be thrown away.
- Be prepared to offer a free first lesson or consultation. It is a great way to propose yourself as a guitar teacher.
- Some musical instrument shops keep a register of local teachers and will name your name for free to those interested.
- Remember to make your students understand the importance of practicing. Regular practice sessions are more effective than one long session.
- Find out what model your student is inspired by and create simplified versions of that artist's pieces to encourage him to achieve his goal.
- Start with private lessons, as group lessons are more difficult to carry out if you are a beginner.
Warnings
- Make sure you play the guitar well enough to be able to teach.
- Be patient with your students.
- To be a good teacher you will need to be very prepared, so do some good research.
- Research teaching methods and techniques because knowing how to play the guitar doesn't make you a teacher.