Teacher Feature
So that guitar teachers can learn about other teachers’ experiences, each issue we focus on the work of one teacher. This issue it’s Dave Jones from Kent…
GT: What do you enjoy most about teaching guitar?
DJ: I get great satisfaction at the progress of students, going from never having played guitar to performing in bands and passing grades etc.
GT: How would you summarise your approach to teaching guitar?
DJ: My approach to teaching is to motivate students with achievable goals. I feel it is very important that a student can actually play the things you teach them, with regular practice, each week. I never move too fast for a student, as all students need to want to practice and they will only do this if they can see improvement in their playing. Guitar playing should be fun. Not all students are going to be Joe Satriani and some students may have learning difficulties. I take this into account and teach, through experience, what I feel they can achieve each week. I also try to introduce students to new styles to keep them challenged and interested.
GT: What styles of music do most students want to learn?
DJ: Currently most of my private students want to learn rock, pop and blues styles. However, with younger students, I feel it is important to introduce them to many styles of guitar – as they may grow to like a style even if they'd never heard it before. I also find students sometimes enjoy learning and playing a style of music on the guitar that they would not normally listen to.
GT: Do you find the RGT exams useful?
DJ: I find RGT exams very useful. The main feature is their flexibility. The scales, chords and time signatures are the ones you would introduce naturally, regardless of interest in exams. The fact that students can gain accredited qualifications are a bonus. Students can learn various songs in the genre they want as the syllabus is so flexible, and the techniques expected at each grade are also a natural progression. The intermediate and higher grades also require a good grounding in theory for the spoken tests and this important area is often missed by many guitar players.
GT: How do you encourage students to practice?
DJ: I find most of my private students are keen to practice. That applies especially to adults as they seem more willing to practice things like scales, arpeggios etc. However, with more reluctant students I often use the ‘carrot and stick’ approach. If they learn a scale or arpeggio we are working on I promise to show them some cool licks or riffs in the next lesson, using that scale or arpeggio. I find this approach works very well.
GT: Do you have any tips to pass on to new guitar teachers?
DJ: Most guitar teachers I know didn't actually set out to be tutors, they sort of ‘fell’ into it. The majority of new teachers start with total beginners or at least novice players. With this in mind it is important to teach in a structured, systematic way. It is also important to be flexible to various students needs and requirements. Make sure that the student will be able to achieve the tasks you set, this will motivate them to practice through their own achievements. Make sure they develop a repertoire to keep them interested and making progress with their playing. Also be aware of the difference between teaching adults and children, for example, physical development, concentration span etc. Also be aware that you are the teacher and are in charge of the lesson. Although you should try to tailor the lessons to the students preferred styles, don't let the student lead every lesson with solely what they want to learn. Explain that there are basics that need to be mastered first before they can learn all their favourite songs. But do always try to make the lessons interesting and enjoyable – that way they keep coming back!
