Teacher Feature
Learn about other guitar teachers’ experiences as each issue we compare notes from two teachers. This issue we feature Merv Young from Hampshire and Max Milligan from Bedfordshire.
GT: What do you enjoy most about teaching guitar?
Merv: The variety of musical styles you are confronted with. It's also a great feeling seeing someone play something that they just couldn't manage a couple of weeks earlier.
Max: The end result, whether it's a small grasp of knowledge in a lesson, passing an exam or a student finally unleashing some confident improvisation.
GT: What are the downsides of the job?
Merv: The hours!
Max: Students who don't turn up and don't pay for the missed lesson and students who have played for 3 months and think they know everything and can't stop widdling for more than 10 seconds. It's enough to make me kick a turnip through the garden shed window!
GT: How do you balance your teaching commitments with other aspects of your life?
Merv:This is generally OK as my wife is very understanding and supportive.
Max: I have my diary mapped out and I try not to work on Teacher Feature Learn about other guitar teachers' experiences as each issue we compare notes from two teachers. This issue we feature Merv Young from Hampshire and Max Milligan from Bedfordshire. Thursday evenings and on Sundays I have the day off. If something turns up on those days I try to move things around so I spend time with my family on other evenings.
GT: Summarise your approach to teaching guitar in a few sentences.
Merv: I try to inspire my students to develop the same passion and love for all types of music that I have. If the enthusiasm and love of the instrument is there then all the technical stuff will follow.
Max: I've always had a set plan with students to learn the basics and take it from there, build repertoire and try to write your own stuff. I'd hate to think someone could do a Degree in popular music or similar, then get to their first gig and find they don't know how to play La Bamba or a 12-bar blues!
GT: What styles of music do most students want to learn?
Merv: Mostly it's rock and blues styles on electric guitar. I try and keep things as varied and flexible as possible though.
Max: I'm fortunate there because I'm always aware of the direction they would like to take but almost 99% trust me to teach them how to play guitar over a broad spectrum. My lessons are roughly 30% RGT grade material, 30% what I think they will find beneficial in the future and the rest of the time on a target piece in the style they like. You just have to be honest about your teaching abilities and you'll be fine.
GT: Where do you teach your students and what kind of facilities do you provide?
Merv: I teach in a room of my house which is set up for this purpose with a pc based recording facility, as well as the usual collection of amps and guitars to deal with most eventualities.
Max: I teach above The Music Centre in Bedford which is a great shop full of gear for students to try. The guys in the shop always send new students my way so it has kept me very busy, and I would recommend linking into a shop to anyone starting out. I have a range of recording facilities including Cubase 5 with Amplitude 2 (a fantastic virtual amplifier programme for students to try in their Music Tech and GCSE Music assignments ). I also use Sibelius, the music score programme.
GT: Do you find the RGT exams useful? If so, in which ways?
Merv: Absolutely. Having a structured approach to teaching and evaluating progress is invaluable. Providing students with a goal is very helpful too; as is a bit of friendly competition between the students who know each other.
Max: I think the RGT grades are invaluable to get students motivated and also to show parents that progress is being made. I have also found them very popular with students doing Music Tech and GCSE Music at schools as they like to target at least the Grade Five in addition to their GCSE.
GT: How do new students find out about you?
Merv: The majority now is by word of mouth, with regular enquiries via the RGT website.
Max: As I've said, many of my students come to me through the shop, and I also advertise locally. Plus, I get some enquiries through the internet. Max Milligan
GT: As well as teaching privately, do you teach in any schools or colleges?
If so, how do you find this differs? 
Merv: I do teach in a few schools. Teaching in schools can be very effective provided you have effective communication with the Head of Music.
Max: I teach at the Guitar Institute in Acton with a set curriculum so I know exactly what the class will entail each week. I also teach at Bedford Modern School, and the lessons are more open-ended as I may have to work around a student's study commitments or have to prepare students for a school performance.
GT: How do you encourage students to practise?
Merv: By encouraging and enthusing and trying to ensure that playing and practising is not viewed as a chore, by promoting playing little and often.
Max: At the Institute and school the students have a practice diary, with set weekly objectives. In my private lessons I mark what needs to be covered in a practice schedule. I also give out backing tracks of pieces we are studying. I let students know that if they don't practise I have others willing to take their place - they have to feel they are making a commitment to learning.
GT: Do you have any tips to pass on to new guitar teachers?
Merv: Always keep learning and listening and don't block out the styles of music your students want to learn just because it's not to your taste.
Max: If you think a beginner is struggling turn your guitar upside down and try to play the exercise to remind yourself what the poor student is going through. Keep lessons varied - try not to labour on one subject for the entire lesson. Seek advice at the Registry of Guitar Tutors - they are always there for you and I always pick up some great ideas from the RGT Annual Conferences. Don't spend loads of money on fancy guitars and amps because you just don't need it for teaching. If students are not coming back for lessons find out why, it could be the way you teach, your teaching room or even just smelly socks!
