How to become a guitar teacher

Becoming a guitar teacher

Becoming a guitar teacher could be one of the best career moves you make as a guitarist. Almost everyone takes up the guitar for the love of music and/or the dream of success in a world-conquering rock band. When it comes to making a living in the world of music though, things are not easy. Even if you pack your diary with gigs, it can still be difficult to earn a good living. For this reason, many guitar players become guitar teachers - and this includes many world-class guitarsits.

To become a guitar teacher you don't need any formal qualifications, though you do need to be of a standard of playing that's well above that of the people you teach. Apart from this basic requirements, almost any guitarist can decide to become a guitar teacher. There are, however, a few basic steps that you need to take in order to launch your career as a guitar teacher, and to be successful.

Marketing

There are legions of people all around the world that would love to learn to play the guitar. Some of those people are in your area. But, if they don't know you exist they will never hire your skills. You must have a website and it must show you as a professinoal guitar teacher. Don't try to market yourself as a guitarist/songwriter/singer/etc... keep it simple and clear.

You need to optimise your website in order that you show up on Google page one when someone in your area searches for a guitar teacher. To learn more about this, Google 'SEO'.

Preparation

You need ot make sure you have a useable teaching space. It doesn't have to be big but it should certainly be tidy. The first impression your teaching area creates on a new student may well determine whether they come back again or not.

Material

You could, in theory, teach by just talking and showing your students aspects of guitar playing. This is unlikley to leave them feeling that they are getting high quality tuition though. Realistically, you must prepare printed material to give to your students, which they can practise from at home. 

Always review

Every lesson should start with a review of the previous week's material. How did they get on with it? Any problems? Can they play the song/solo/lick? Have the student attempt the last week's work and give helpful feedback.

Be positive

It's easy to get demoralised when learning an instrument. Part of your job is to encourage your students and help them to see when they are making progress. A song doesn't have to be perfect before you can give a compliment.

Be professional

Never cancel guitar lessons unless you abslutely must. Be punctual. Be efficient. Get to the point quickly. Try to use good clear language when explaining things.

Learn from others

Think back to when you had a guitar teacher. Try to identify what was good about it and was not so good. You could also take a course on how to become a guitar teacher or search the internet for tips.