October 23rd, 2006 by songbird


There are many opinions and points of view (pro and con) about studying with a private guitar teacher. No teacher can teach anyone how to play. This must be learned through experience and a lot of playing.

However, let’s not underestimate the great value of a good teacher. A teacher can help the student in many ways. The teacher can accomplish the following if the student is willing.

1. Help the student develop good technique.

2. Help the student learn how to read music.

3. Help the student learn to listen (ear training)

4. Help the student prepare for contests, auditions and work situations.

5 Provide encouragement and support.

6.Offer criticism and re-evaluation when the student begins to over-estimate their accomplishments.

7. Suggest players for the student to listen to that otherwise might be overlooked.

8. Help the student develop an awareness and understanding of different styles.

9. Discuss the students problems in confidence. Some of the best lessons are this type.

10. Help the student learn the fundamentals of music as well as guitar.

Now, here’s a few guidelines on choosing a teacher which might be helpful:

1. Try to set up an interview with the teacher or talk with some of his/her students. This will give you some idea of what the teacher specializes in and what you can expect to learn. Not every teacher can offer what you are most interested in. it will depend to some degree on the teacher’s experience in music and what he or she feels is important to emphasize with students.

2. Avoid teachers who spend a lot of time criticizing name guitarists or other teachers.

3. Avoid any teacher who constantly plays more during the lesson than the student. There may be times when this is necessary to make a point, but it should be the exception and not a regular occurence.

The best teachers stress the fundamentals of music and guitar playing. They strive to help the student develop the tools and knowledge he or she will need to develop their own style. By sharing their experience they can save a young guitarist lots of time by avoiding obvious pitfalls and bad habits.

The most important person in the learning process is the student. In the final analysis, each one of us determines to a great degree how much we will learn. Attitude, desire, willingness to work coupled with natural ability are the key ingredients for learning. Your most important tools are your mind, your ears, and the drive to succeed.

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Mike Hayes is a guitar teacher, author, performing musician and session guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience. Mike’s methods are legendary and have earned the praise of top authorities in guitar instruction. He reveals his guitar secrets at www.GuitarCoaching.com

August 3rd, 2006 by songbird

THE STONE

I’ve this creeping
Suspicion that things here are not as they seem
Reassure me
Why do I feel as if I’m in too deep?
Now I’ve been praying
For some way to show them
I’m not what they see
Yes, I have done wrong
But what I did I thought needed be done
I swear

Unholy day
If I leave now I might get away
Oh, but this weighs on me
As heavy as stone and as blue as I go
I was just wondering if you’d come along
To hold up my head when my head won’t hold on
I’ll do the same if the same’s what you want
But if not I’ll go
I will go alone
I’m a long way
From that fool’s mistake
And now forever pay
No, run
I will run and I’ll be ok
I was just wondering if you’d come along
To hold up my head when my head won’t hold on
I’ll do the same if the same’s what you want
But if not I’ll go
I will go alone
I go a long way
To bury the past for I don’t want to pay
Oh, how I wish this
To turn back the clock and do over again
I was just wondering if you’d come along
To hold up my head when my head won’t hold on
I’ll do the same if the same’s what you want
But if not I’ll go
I will go alone

I need so
To stay in your arms, see you smile, hold you close
And it weighs on me
As heavy as stone and a bone chilling cold
I was just wondering if you’d come along
Tell me you will.