by Joseph Pescatello

Created on: August 16, 2008   Last Updated: August 17, 2008

Whether you're a new student of music or an old hand, you will benefit from having a good teacher. An experienced professional who knows your instrument and knows how to teach it will ensure that you learn proper technique and save you years of frustration. This article will help you find one who is right for you.

Individual or Group Lessons? Group lessons provide benefits that individual lessons do not. Learning with others stimulates an automatic desire in some of us to excel. It also provides an instant band' so you get a feel for playing with a group right away. But group lessons have their downside, too. They have to move at a pace that leaves no one behind so the slowest player on the group tends to dictate the level of difficulty of the material that's presented. You also give up a large degree of individual attention in group lessons.

In the end, the answer lies in how you learn best. If you thrive in a group environment, try to find a group lesson for your instrument. If you learn better with individual instruction and tend to move at your own pace, private lessons are probably your best forum.

Finding the Right Instructor Great players make great teachers, right? Not necessarily. Teaching music is an art in itself and the skills that make someone a great musician aren't the same skills that make up a great teacher. That's not to say that the two are mutually exclusive the best guitar teacher I ever had was a terrific jazz player. But don't assume that every good player will make a good teacher.

To find a good instructor start out by talking to other players who might know of good instructors for your instrument. If someone else has had a good experience with a teacher, it doesn't mean that they are right for you, but they are worth a look. Another source for candidates is the local college. Call their music department and ask if they can recommend an instructor for your instrument. Faculty or advanced students could fit the bill. Many music stores also offer lessons and a reputable store should have good teachers. Call and ask if they offer lessons for your instrument.

Once you've identified a couple of candidates, call each instructor and see if he is taking on new students. Try to get a feel for the person. Is his manner stiff and formal or more relaxed? Does he seem like someone you'll be comfortable with or does he rub you the wrong way? Taking music lessons is a highly personal process and having an instructor to whom you can relate is paramount. If you feel uncomfortable talking on the phone with the person, you might want to keep looking.

Taking a Test Drive When you find someone who seems to fit the bill, set up an appointment to attend a few lessons. Your objective at this stage is to determine if the instructor's teaching style matches your way of learning. Some teachers' lessons are very formal and structured while others are loose and casual. If you're used-to a classroom with strict lesson plans and well-defined homework assignments, you may not excel with an instructor whose style is to sit around and jam for your entire lesson.

If, after a couple of lessons you find that the instructor and you aren't connecting, no big deal - you're in the driver's seat. Just inform him politely that you're not comfortable with the direction or material, thank him and start looking again. But when you find the right teacher and everything clicks, Congratulations! You're on your way to being a better player!

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