I already have a system for teaching, why should I ask my students to purchase this guitar method book?
The Guitar Lesson Companion allows you to teach your way, only better. Since the best way for students to learn how to play the guitar is to study with a good teacher, it's about time for a book that understands that. As a teacher, I know that each one of us has a unique way of prioritizing, explaining and applying musical concepts to our students, but we all agree that there are certain concepts that are important for all guitar players to understand.
This book provides a basic roadmap for teaching, and plenty of progressive exercises that sound cool, so your students will learn them faster. If you already teach the fundamentals of music: Reading, Chords, Theory and Improvisation, this book will truly complement your style. With this book, there will be no more crumpled up pieces of paper in your students' cases, and you won't be spending all your time planning lessons and assignments for each student.
I know this stuff is important, but how do I convince my students to learn it?
Explain to them how a person with a solid foundation of music skills can play more songs and be a more adaptable and creative guitar player. Talk to them about the guitarists they admire and point out the skills that make each player great. Tell them that you can help them learn those skills in the quickest and most effective way possible, and you both are going to work very hard to reach your goal.
I only teach songs to my students, why should I change?
There are thousands of guitar teachers who are trying to make a living, and you must stay competitive to be successful. If you use a more effective method to teach people the songs they want to play, you will attract more students. If you teach people not just how to play the guitar, but to understand music on their instrument, you will gain the respect of other musicians, who will refer new students to you. If you use a clear system that keeps students on track and learning new concepts each week, your students will stay with you for longer periods of time. This book will help you accomplish all of these goals and keep your studio full of happy and successful students.
How do I assure my students that this guitar method book is worth the $30?
Show them that it contains more concepts and exercises than the competition’s entire series; if they buy this book, they will save money. Tell them that this book was specifically designed for students who are studying with a teacher, so it will help both of you make the most out of your lesson time. Finally, play one of the studies with the CD from this book, and then compare it to a study from another book. Ask them which one inspires them to practice.
What if I don’t know all of the concepts well enough to teach them?
Go through the whole book yourself, before using it with your students. Check out the free online lesson library if you need help understanding a concept, or if you would like a suggestion on how to teach the concepts to your students. You can also become a member of the Online User Support Group and ask the author questions.
Students
Can I learn to play guitar with this guitar method book and these videos?
The Guitar Lesson Companion is a guitar method book that was specifically designed for students who are taking guitar lessons because the best way to learn how to play the guitar is to study with a good teacher. If you do not have the opportunity to learn from a teacher right now, the Free Guitar Lesson Library and the Online User Support Group will help you work through the book on your own. For suggestions on finding a good teacher in your area, check out this article.
If I use this book, how long will it take me to get good?
That depends on your practice habits and your definition of “good.” This book will definitely help you become a better player because it contains the concepts that you need to learn in order to play a lot of music. You will save time if you use this book because it breaks down challenging concepts and walks you through each one, step-by-step, so you learn the material right the first time.
Won't learning all this stuff make me sound unoriginal?
Students who learn the fundamentals of music can play more songs in a shorter amount of time, and students can apply those skills to whatever songs they wish to play. In the long run, students who know the fundamentals of music are able to express themselves more clearly, and understand their fellow musicians easier. Without training in the fundamentals of music, guitarists eventually reach a road block and they have to come back and learn the fundamentals to overcome it. Yes, there are a handful of absolutely amazing guitarists who did not study music, but they are not amazing because they did not study music.
Why should I spend $30 on this guitar method book when I can purchase a cheaper one?
This is a better book and a better value. It contains more concepts and exercises than the competition’s entire series; so if you buy this guitar method book, you will save money. You will improve faster with this book because the unique and flexible structure will help you and your teacher stay on track and make the most out of your lesson time together. The studies also sound better, especially with the ultramodern jam-CD, which will make your practice time more fun for you.
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