Instrument Tips - Page 5

quote Ten Time Clockwork

FLAME WAR

SCORE

Forte: 10/10!

Sten: ...Ummm...Yeah...

Forte has to be the most knowledgeable person I've ever met when it comes to musical equipment. If I won $20,000 and flew to ESP headquarters to make my custom, I'd have a laptop with me asking him for advice, not you, Sten. You have very fascist views, such as Fender Strats are good for everything. Sorry to burst your bubble, but no. A Fender Strat would not even come close to beating an ESP or Ibanez when it comes to Metal, and I don't care if Iron Maiden used 'em. They simply aren't the best for everything.

He's 14. And he'd school me and my guitar teacher any day in specs. So shutup.

You're seriously causing alot of *bleep!* in this forum. Stop it already; You've lost.

Gibson = Name

That sums up my views on most of what you've posted around here.

EDIT: OMG Forte you should be a Mod in this forum! That would be a good idea

quote Abused Child

However, if your 4th string is not exactly this pitch, it's not a big deal unless you're going to be jamming with a piano player or someone playing an instrument that isn't easily tunable. However, I dont know anyone that jams with a panio.

quote

First, don't double post, douchebag, second, Metal is hard to play, alot harder than whatever shit you play. I'd like to see you beat Randy Rhoads or Alexi Laiho in guitar, classical, country, whatever. You'd fail. And I'm not sucking up, I'm speaking the truth. Go ask your Daddy for some more advice on music, Okee dokee?

quote Ten Time Clockwork

Sten your an ass.

That sums it up well.

And everyone knows Jazz is way harder than Metal. Those time signatures are insane.

Back to the topic of this Thread, here's some advice on getting a good guitar teacher (taken from Guitar-Novice.com)

1. Location - It's important that your lessons take place in a location that's convenient for you. Some teachers will make housecalls, others operate out of their home or a music store. If you have to drive 30 miles in heavy traffic you're more likely to drop out. Also, a good teacher will provide recording equipment, music stands, stools, etc. If you show up for a lesson and you have to sit on a couch and lay the sheet music on a coffee table, you might want to find another teacher.

2. Technique and posture - It seems like many guitar teachers focus more on teaching chord fingerings and strum patterns than the fundamentals. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher to really break down the left hand fingerings or right hand position. It wasn't until 3 or 4 lessons in that my teacher bothered to correct my posture, showing me how a footstool could save me from bending over all the time. In my opinion the first lesson should always cover posture and basic technique. I think many guitar teachers forget how truly ignorant we can be, don't be shy about reminding them.

3. Styles - If you want to learn how to play Mississippi John Hurt-style country blues don't be afraid to say so. Just because you're a rank beginner doesn't mean you can't be ambitious. If you want to play classical don't waste everyone's time by sitting through power chord lessons. Let your teacher know what you want to play so he can structure the lessons accordingly. Conversely, if you have no idea where you want to go it's ok to admit it. Your teacher can help provide that direction.
It's also important to find a teacher who knows your chosen style. A classical player may know all kinds of theory and have great technique but he's probably not the best choice for teaching Delta Blues with a slide in open tuning.

4. Practice - Talk to your teacher about the best way to practice. My teacher would just give me material to work on and since I've never really practiced an instrument I would practice while watching tv or listening to talk radio. It wasn't until later that I realized practice means shutting out all distractions and focusing intensely on my lessons.

5. Cost - Let's face it, cost is the main reason most of us don't take lessons. If weekly lessons are too expensive, talk to your teacher about bi-weekly or monthly lessons. Keep in mind that the most expensive teachers aren't always the best and the cheapest can be very good as well. Sometimes you can get lessons at very low cost from college music students but caveat emptor. I would say try to stick with students in a formal guitar program. Self taught teachers, especially the very young, could pass on some very bad habits.

6. Respect - Look for a teacher that will respect your opinions and in return give that respect back to your teacher. If you have to cancel a lesson make sure you do it well in advance so your teacher can book another lesson. Cancelling at the last minute deprives him of your lesson fee and also the chance to recoup that loss with another lesson.

7. You're the boss - This isn't high school or a job, you're paying the teacher and that makes you the boss. If you don't like the direction things are going, speak up about it. If your teacher is arrogant or not receptive to your ideas or if it's just not working out don't be afraid to switch teachers.

8. Ask questions - Ask questions while choosing a teacher, don't just take the first name out of the phone book. Ask questions during and after the lesson. Most teachers don't mind if you email questions during the week but be reasonable. Your teacher has a life outside of your lessons and can't be expected to hold your hand through every practice session.

quote Ten Time Clockwork

NOONE WAS TALKING TO YOU.

This is the Tips Thread. Not the "Will Sten like this?" Thread.

quote Ten Time Clockwork

[size=1]Sten your an ass.