Originally Posted By: JohnJohnJohn
[quote=eddie1261] My second guitar teacher, at my first lesson, asked "what would you like to learn?" to which I replied "Stairway to Heaven"! And I have been hooked on playing and writing music ever since. And no, I have no clue what you mean when you tell me to try a "A minor diminished fifth neutered to the power of 2" nor do I care! I'm having fun and I'm doing it my way.


That's how I view it.

My POV:

When I was giving guitar lessons back in late 80's and one in early 2000's that was always my first question to any aspiring axe player.
All had only expressed a desire to learn guitar to play songs they liked for their own personal enjoyment.
They didn't give a rat's about learning theory of any kind.
They wanted to play what they liked.
That's what I helped them do.
The songs were never difficult for me but to see their faces on lesson 6 when they got from G to D with acceptable tempo on their favorite song was an absolute pleasure.

ADDENDUM:
I would always encourage aspiring musicians to eventually learn the language of music.
Not only for academic self-improvement but be able to communicate with others that are far better than ourselves.
That's a crucial aspect from my perspective.....just not right away for the new kid.

Most (to all) are not interested in 'theory' at the their beginning learning curve.
Show them what they want to keep them interested in maintaining practice discipline and slowly introduce theory concepts in a way that's not mundane or totally turns them off.
My goal/job as a teacher was to keep them interested and stay on the path.
Not to force feed (potentially) boring academics down their throat just because I think it's (eventually) an important aspect in the big picture.

Please forgive me....I waxed a bit verbose,...carry on.

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 08/17/20 11:52 AM.
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