Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas

Subject: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: GUEST,Slickerbill
Date: 06 Apr 02 - 03:56 PM

I noticed from a few threads here that many 'Catters are teaching guitar. Maybe you folks can help me out here.

I was asked last fall to help my son's friend learn some improvisation on guitar. I said yeah kind of as a favour and for a pretty nominal fee. Problem is I'm self taught; never took a lesson. So over the years, yeah I've gotten into blues and some jazz comping, and I do okay. In my mind I've got tons to learn of course, and also my interests are divided between electric blues guitar and my singer/songwriter acoustic stuff; lots of irons in the fire.

So anyway I say yeah sure, and I start to teach him what i know the way I learned it. Basically I start out with pentatonic scales and their patterns up and down the neck, discuss the limited theory which I've been able to figure out and which might be of use. And the kid seems to really be enjoying it.

BUT... I'm out of ideas. I have no clue now what to do with this kid. Where do I go from here? I mean okay, I've done the pentatonic thing, then added notes and gone over the diatonic scales, relative minors and so on. But now what? Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: harpmaker
Date: 06 Apr 02 - 05:33 PM

"Rhythm", and a bottle of Jack Daniel's, of course!!!

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: 53
Date: 06 Apr 02 - 10:48 PM

Break your lesson down int parts. I teach beginner guitar and it should be no difference in beginner or advanced. Try to keep your student interested by teaching them songs instead of theory, try it it works.

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 08:31 PM

Good advice Bob. Chords and simple songs will get them hooked.....then you can bring some theory in. Ya might start off with what intervals in the scale make up the chords they've learned. Scales on their own can be pretty lonely....but chords can warm the heart.

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: GUEST,Slickerbill
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 10:29 PM

I'm with you on the chord idea. I have done a bit of chord theory with him; the I IV V stuff. The kid has some guitar background, and I get the sneaking suspicion that he's looking for an "easy" way to get good. But yeah, I guess you're right; finding some songs that he might want to learn and then kind of deconstruct them, perhaps do some improvisation over them? sounds good. SB

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: M.Ted
Date: 07 Apr 02 - 11:47 PM

Get him started putting together his "songbook" and, tune by tune, working out arrangements--help him to work out intros, the basic chord back up, substitutions, figured bass lines, turn-a-rounds, and solos--teach him where the improvisation goes, and where it doesn't go--that ought to keep you busy for a couple weeks, anyway;-)--also, play along with him, and teach him to play along with you--way to many teachers only use the guitar to walk through things when they work with students--oh, and do a little research so you can keep ahead of him--

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 01:37 PM

"Personal song book"....another great idea. Really helps the focus of both student AND teacher.

Rick

Subject: RE: Help: Giving Lessons, Out of Ideas
From: harpmaker
Date: 08 Apr 02 - 05:44 PM

~Rhythm~