Teacher and Student

So...You have decided to take up learning a musical instrument, and have now found the music teacher to show you the way forward.

Well done for taking that first step of many on your journey to fulfilling that dream of being able to create music on the instrument of your choice.

Choosing your teacher is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your pursuit of musical progression, so make sure you have chosen wisely. Be careful though, as although the person you have chosen to guide you may very well be an excellent musician, and might on the outset seem like great person to learn from, this does not always necessarily make them a great teacher. There are many more things to be taken into consideration before you embark on your search for knowledge with regards to finding the correct tutor for you.

Firstly you have to make sure that you have chosen a teacher who has a great passion and understanding of music in general, and particularly in the instrument they are aiming to teach you, together with knowledge of the music theory you will need to accompany the practical side of things. They should also be able to advise you on how best to use that instrument to its greatest effect within any given song, and they should also be very accomplished at being able to play that instrument to a high level. A good tutor should also have a high degree of patience and understanding, and be able to advise and teach you in an organised way and a relaxed and respectful manner.

Once happy in the knowledge you have found the correct tutor, you must now also take on certain responsibilities yourself. It is up to you to listen carefully to everything that you are being taught. Ask questions along the way too as you are paying to learn, so if you are not 100% sure of what is being explained....please ask, and ask again, until you are entirely satisfied with the answer. A good teacher will never ridicule you for asking too many questions, it is their job to answer them, and most will indeed encourage you to ask, so never be afraid to query anything you are not sure about. A good tutor will always be willing to assist you in your search for knowledge in any way possible, and should without question, always have your best interests at heart.

As the student, you also have a responsibility towards your teacher, and so you should always follow the lead of the person who is guiding you. They will understand your musical requirements the more you work together, and they will gather an overall picture of what is the best course of action to take in your own individual case, and will advise and lead you with the appropriate instructions, information, and homework that they feel is necessary to enhance your learning status. The most important thing for you to understand as a student is that, when learning an instrument properly, there are no shortcuts. This will require hard work and dedication on your part, and a discipline that will allow you to carry out instructions and homework so as to enable you to move on to the next step in your becoming a real musician. This does not mean to say that every lesson should not be fun and enjoyable, but like everything else, you will only get out what you put in.

Have fun, work hard and enjoy.. and remember, being able to play a musical instrument proficiently is one of the most rewarding feelings that you will ever experience, I know this for a fact, because I have been playing Bass and Guitar for over 25 years, and I still have the same passion for music that I had from day one.