How to Be a good student
Have a clear reason why you're doing this
Do you have a clear goal/vision that fires you up? That could be to play around the campfire, get grade 5, busk, or even become a rockstar.
Here's my vision from 2004 when I started out, it still fires me up now as I write this.
Here's my vision from 2004 when I started out, it still fires me up now as I write this.
Prioritise and invest
Guitars aren't cheap, but they're not even half the price you'd pay for a violin bow. You must be willing to buy a functional guitar and ensure it stays in good condition, or it will sound bad, hurt your hands, drain your motivation, or destroy your child's dream of being a rockstar.
£50 can get you a good second hand guitar... providing it's been approved by a trusted guitar specialist, I use Treblerock Clifton, Intersound Dursley, or A Remus Sound Gloucester.
£50 can get you a good second hand guitar... providing it's been approved by a trusted guitar specialist, I use Treblerock Clifton, Intersound Dursley, or A Remus Sound Gloucester.
Practice
To achieve anything on guitar you must practice often. Minimum 4 days a week. For a beginner 5 minutes every day is better than 2 hours at the weekend, that's pointless. If it's your dogs birthday and you're going out for dinner, get up 10-20 minutes earlier and practice in the morning. Don't find time, make time, if you value something you'll do it no matter how busy life gets.
Have a regular scheduled time, otherwise it won't happen.
Have a regular scheduled time, otherwise it won't happen.
Be organised
Keep your music together in a folder like this, put the current projects at the front and things you still play further back, ditch anything you no longer use.
Write down instructions and solutions to problems clearly, also use your camera to film me demonstrating or explaining troubled sections, then store videos in a folder well labelled and easy to find during practice. This way you improve faster and your money goes further.
Be sure to download any backing tracks and store them in the folder too.
Read all the small print (exam books, Ts & Cs, ect)
Live in different houses? Get 2 guitars. Make it easy for yourself to practice, otherwise you just won't.
Be on time
Be on time, don't be too early though, I won't promise to be ready before your agreed time, I could be teaching a student or eating lunch.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
If I'm ready early thats fine, but please don't expect or demand it.
Thanks for understanding.
Pay on time
90% of the time the people who pay fast, take guitar seriously, turn up on time, practice, laugh at my jokes, and are a joy to deal with. I also like being able to pay my bills, It's a win win for everyone.
When I first started I had a client build up £140 worth of debt, I then saw them buying Champagne in Waitrose...
Trust is everything, nobody gets discounts, mates rates, or special treatment here.
When I first started I had a client build up £140 worth of debt, I then saw them buying Champagne in Waitrose...
Trust is everything, nobody gets discounts, mates rates, or special treatment here.
Set goals, be ambitious
If you want to speed it up, set a goal that moves you towards your vision, even better a goal with a deadline and some healthy pressure.
Getting on stage or taking an exam is really powerful, as it removes the option not to improve.
If you play open mics with me you'll learn how the business works, if you're successful there I'll let you join me in my headline gigs.
Getting on stage or taking an exam is really powerful, as it removes the option not to improve.
If you play open mics with me you'll learn how the business works, if you're successful there I'll let you join me in my headline gigs.
Be respectful
I'm human like anyone else, I have bad days and make mistakes, be cool and don't get silly about it.
Relax and have fun
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©2018 Luke Aylward
©2018 Luke Aylward