Susan Palmer of Lead Cat Press's Page

Since a person does not need any kind of degree or training in order to call him/herself a guitar instructor, you have to do some work to find yourself a good teacher. You may have a friend who knows of a good guitar teacher, but I encourage you to carefully research all of your options. Guitar lessons require an investment of money, time and energy. There are a lot of teachers to choose from, so take your time and make a smart decision.


Ask music store employees, performing musicians, schools… Continue

Most private guitar teachers set their own rates, schedules and policies. Since you will need to learn how each teacher runs her/his studio, the phone interview gives you the opportunity to listen to the way each teacher answers your questions so you can get a good feel for each teacher's style and personality.

The phone interview can help you determine if a teacher is a good listener, patient and able to give you the information you need to know. If a teacher cannot sufficiently answer your qu… Continue

Most guitar teachers will send you a packet of information before your first lesson. This packet will most likely contain a summary of the teacher's rates, payment plan, cancellation policy and it may include other information that you will need to know before your first lesson.

Read through the information as soon as you receive the packet and call the instructor right away if you have a question. Many teachers will ask that the person who is responsible for lesson payment sign their name to a… Continue

You will probably be very excited to begin your guitar lessons. Your teacher is also excited to meet you and learn more about you so that she/he can adapt to your learning style and help you reach your goals. At your first lesson, your teacher will most likely take an inventory of your current playing level and experience, talk about your daily practice routine and help you with your posture and hand position.

If you have never played an instrument before, you will be given a lot of information… Continue

Parents should not assume that their child will be safe during private lessons with a guitar teacher. Many music stores and music schools that employ or rent studio space to teachers do not run background checks on their teachers, so parents should not drop off their child for a lesson without first getting to know the teacher.

Parents should be welcome to sit-in on their child's lesson anytime. This gives parents the opportunity to hear the concepts that are being taught, and it also allows th… Continue