Here are some key points you will want to consider when auditioning a teacher:

• Always seek a teacher who can adapt to your own learning talents.

• Ask the teacher how he or she will go about helping you overcome any confusion you may have.

• Make sure the teacher uses lesson plans, schedules, and progress reports. These are important.

The ultimate goal of a teacher is to help you teach yourself to learn. Trust your instincts and be sure you hold to high standards when considering any decision about a teacher.

Researching Reputation

It is important to know the lesson reputation of your instructor. You should do some research and find out what the instructor teaches. The following are essential for learning in any guitar lesson:

• Music theory: In order to explain basic to advanced musical ideas, fundamentals have to be established.

• Ear training: Being tone deaf is not an option! You must be able to discriminate between high and low tones. This skill takes time to learn and develop, and a good teacher must have efficient methods on hand to guide you through.

• Sight-reading: Reading music is a skill. It must be practiced and gradually developed.

• Transcription: The ability to transcribe guitar licks and teach you how to do it is essential. Find yourself a teacher who has transcribed a good amount of guitar solos to begin to teach you improvisation, in addition to phrasing and dynamics.

• Improvisation: Improvisation can be taught and it must be explained thoroughly. Today's guitarist needs to know how to improvise as many styles as he or she can learn.

A good teacher can help the confused new musician focus on a goal and stick to it. It's up to you, the student, to eventually settle on an instructor. All players are students of music, and one can never know quite enough.