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Post subject: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:35 am
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Aspiring Musician
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so, a new friend of mine's son has an electric guitar and wants to learn to play... he's 12, and has very little knowledge about guitar, but really wants to learn. I told him I'd bring my amp and stuff over and try to show him a few little things... any suggestions on where to start?
I figure I'll put together a little care package with picks and strings, a tuner... right now all he has is the guitar.
but what about actually teaching him something? Where would you start?

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:08 am
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Dan, very cool! Hopefully Texas will see this thread and offer some suggestions as she has some students now I think. :D

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:25 am
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1. The strings in standard tuning: EADGBE

2. E and A power chords, back and forth, on the 1, a slowly as necessary.

3. Two-string power chord shape. Show and explain how that can be used all over the fretboard.

(end of day 1)


Last edited by Her Wanna on Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:25 am
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I'd start with basics, i.e strings, tuning, etc. then
move onto chords and start on the circle of fifths.

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Good luck - patience is key! :wink:

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:10 am
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Is it a full sized guitar or a 3/4?
If a full sized, keep in mind that the size doesn't just make it harder to reach, but a bigger guitar is harder strung too. A 12 year old's hands aren't all that strong, but quite sensitive. Working on the first-to-third frets or doing barres - even partial - is going to be much harder than it is for you.
Don't give him fat strings. .009s should do.

Contrary to popular guitar methods, I'd avoid the open string chords and C scale exercises, and instead focus on learning how thirds and fifths sound, and how to be able to find them anywhere on the fret board.
Some easy twelve bar patterns at the middle of the fret board, and half-chords. It's going to be a heck of a lot easier to do a three-finger F than either the typical cowboy chord or barre on first. Easier means he might do it also when the teacher isn't around.
Try to do some of the playing without a pick, too.


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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:42 am
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Show him powerchords. Leave him on his own.

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:05 am
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I haven't had a lot of students, maybe a dozen or so but I always try to introduce them to the idea that learning at least some basic theory is constructive. Stuff like how to build a chord, what constitutes a major, minor, seventh, etc. Too much theory instruction too soon in the game will put them off. Of course that will also depend on his(her) current level. If they are complete beginners the instructional part will be limited to tuning and identifying parts of the guitar and memorizing the fretboard notes and chord shapes. I try to make 1/3 of the time devoted to learning a song of his(her) choice, within reason of course, 1/3 to exercises and 1/3 to basic instruction. The exercises are the hardest to determine in my experience. Some people have natural ability and don't need as much muscle memory training.

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:45 pm
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to be honest, some of the advice here goes beyond what I know :oops:
ha....but I do appreciate all the ideas. I was thinking along the lines of basic what's what on the guitar, tuning, and then a couple of basic chords to get him started. maybe if it goes well it'll give me some motivation to learn more myself. :) thanks, everyone.

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:46 pm
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SKcoppertele wrote:
Start with a E chord. Then an A, then a D. Then reach them a pattern using those chords. This will make it feel like they're learning more than scales.
+1 All three of those chords use adjacent strings for the fingerings, so he won't feel frustrated if he can't yet stretch to make an open chord like a C or G. Point out that his stretch will increase with practice time, not just age. Power chords are good too, they should be easy to get him started, especially if he wants to play rock or metal. And tell him to practice every day, even if it is only for 10 minutes.

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:52 pm
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spacewolf wrote:
SKcoppertele wrote:
Start with a E chord. Then an A, then a D. Then reach them a pattern using those chords. This will make it feel like they're learning more than scales.
+1 All three of those chords use adjacent strings for the fingerings, so he won't feel frustrated if he can't yet stretch to make an open chord like a C or G. Point out that his stretch will increase with practice time, not just age. Power chords are good too, they should be easy to get him started, especially if he wants to play rock or metal. And tell him to practice every day, even if it is only for 10 minutes.


Yes, but when you're young, pressing strings down on first and second fret is a LOT harder than you might think. Especially first fret. Remembering back, I didn't find the "easy" chords easy. D on --0755 was much easier than D on --0232, because it required far less finger strength.


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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:06 pm
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Teach him cords first not power cords.


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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 5:18 pm
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tbazzone wrote:
Teach him cords first not power cords.


Yes, cords first, or the sound will be very tinny. Including the power cord.
Then proceed to chords.


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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 6:36 pm
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:lol: this is happening thursday. getting some stuff together for him tonight. I'll let you all know how it goes!

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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 7:47 pm
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New friend? I'd just lone the guy some instructional vids, maybe give out some good youtube guitar links.


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Post subject: Re: taking on a student...
Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2013 8:11 pm
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Dan, I forgot a beginner book. Wiki says: Mel Bay Publications Mel Bay Publications is an American publisher of materials for musical instrument playing, particularly instructional books that teach a particular instrument or style. It was founded in 1947 and is based in Pacific, Missouri.

Mel Bay Publications' books target musicians of varying levels of proficiency, from the beginner who is unfamiliar with musical notation to those with advanced performance skills. Available introductory material includes methods for classical instruments such as the violin, clarinet and trumpet, folk instruments such as the harmonica, mandolin, banjo, and accordion, as well as material for various types of guitar. This material often emphasizes styles such as classical, rock, blues, jazz and folk music.

After the war, Mel was asked to write instructional materials on guitar for GIs wishing to learn music under the GI Bill. In 1947, Mel formed his own publishing company and wrote his landmark initial book titled The Orchestral Chord System for Guitar. This book is still in print under the title Rhythm Guitar Chord System. His Modern Guitar Method was penned shortly thereafter. For years Mel traveled from town to town talking to guitar teachers and players and showing them his publications. At one time, Mel claims to have known virtually every guitar teacher in America on a first name basis. The guitar and Mel Bay books caught on in a big way in the 1950s. His method books grew in popularity worldwide and helped establish the foundation for most of today’s guitar pedagogy. Guitar Player magazine referred to him as “the George Washington of the guitar.”

Mel used to sell D’Angelico guitars. At any given time he would have 5 or 6 “lying around the house.” Mel played professionally on his New Yorker model but his favorite was the initial Mel Bay Model crafted as a gift for him by John D’Angelico. This famous guitar had all of the main features of the New Yorker but was a “cut away” model and had a slightly thinner neck. This instrument has been pictured on the Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method for decades.

If you have the old beginner book you can pass it on to your student. :D

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