Any suggestions for a acoustic guitar instructor for my teen son? Prefer Shoals or even Russellville. (if there is anyone in rvlle)
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A guy they call Phil thats a police officer, I hear he is the best and reasonable. I have heard him play a few times at events and know people that have sent kids to him. I will try to get more info if you would like
Phillip is good!! Call him @ Sheffield PD !!
UNA has some continuing ed guitar classes...
You can download the current catalog here:
http://www.una.edu/continuing-studies/
You can download the current catalog here:
http://www.una.edu/continuing-studies/
Nothing can take the place of a good teacher and practice,but, youtube has a wealth of helpful videos for free. I have found them to be very helpful.
WFIX 91.3FM Evening DJ, Andrew, gives lessons. I go to church with him and could get more info for you if you'd like. He goes by Drew off-air. Drew Bumpas, to be exact. He graduated from UNA and plays guitar at church, as well as in at least one band.
Thanks! Is it ok to call Phillip at work? (Shefield PD?) I would also like to get info on Andrew. Either sound like safe guys to trust my son with. can email me at wow1mail@yahoo.com
Continuing ed class might be a good way for him to get his feet wet. Just home from school and he saw this so he is now on youtube.....Since some of you sound like you play, is it better to learn from one person or are multiple influences better?
Continuing ed class might be a good way for him to get his feet wet. Just home from school and he saw this so he is now on youtube.....Since some of you sound like you play, is it better to learn from one person or are multiple influences better?
That would be a hard question Wow. Probably at first a beginner should stick with one teacher just to avoid confusion. After the student had developed his basics it may be a good idea to branch out. Encourage him/her to keep an open mind about different kinds of music. I know
some things I hated when I was younger are some of my favorites now. As the parent encourage encourage encourage.
some things I hated when I was younger are some of my favorites now. As the parent encourage encourage encourage.
Just a thought, but maybe you could learn together. It can be GREAT therapy, not to mention fun.
Be prepared for sore fingers. It takes time for them to toughen up. If you play till your fingers are raw you will not be able to practice for a few days and that will be counterproductive. I'll shut up now.
Be prepared for sore fingers. It takes time for them to toughen up. If you play till your fingers are raw you will not be able to practice for a few days and that will be counterproductive. I'll shut up now.
It's very important that you get a GOOD guitar. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it needs to be playable. Walmart guitars don't cut it. And stay away from those Estebans that they sell on TV. If you know someone who plays, get them to go to a pawn shop or used guitar dealer and have them help you pick one out.
Once you get started there are a few things that will help, such as:
Make sure that he uses his pinkie on the G. Some teachers and books show you to use the ring finger. The pinkie is so much better because then you can use the ring finger to catch the third fret of the D string to make a much better sounding G7. PLUS you can now use the middle and ring fingers to play the basses when the next chord is C. (That makes it easier to get there quickly.)
I know that means nothing to you right now, but it will if you take lessons with him. THAT is a great idea. You can help each other, plus a little friendly competition makes you want to practice more.
And yes, MAYBE it's better to have one teacher at first, but I encourage all of my students to learn from as many different guitarists as possible. That way you will be exposed to different styles, different "tricks" to make playing easier, and once again, become more inspired to practice.
As for the sore fingers, play for ten minutes at a time, several times a day at first. If you overdo it, you won't be able to play at all the next day. Get guitar stands and keep the guitars readily available. Getting ready to go somewhere but you're waiting for your wife to finish her hair? Grab the guitar and play a song. Almost bedtime? Play one before you turn in and you'll sleep better. You get the idea.
And the MOST important thing is to remember they call it PLAYING for a reason. If your kids don't get into it because it's too much work, don't worry. Might be the wrong time, might be the wrong teacher, might be the wrong instrument. If that happens, I'd suggest keeping the guitar around for a while anyway. They may pick it up and play with it later when there is no pressure. If not, you can always sell it.
Once you get started there are a few things that will help, such as:
Make sure that he uses his pinkie on the G. Some teachers and books show you to use the ring finger. The pinkie is so much better because then you can use the ring finger to catch the third fret of the D string to make a much better sounding G7. PLUS you can now use the middle and ring fingers to play the basses when the next chord is C. (That makes it easier to get there quickly.)
I know that means nothing to you right now, but it will if you take lessons with him. THAT is a great idea. You can help each other, plus a little friendly competition makes you want to practice more.
And yes, MAYBE it's better to have one teacher at first, but I encourage all of my students to learn from as many different guitarists as possible. That way you will be exposed to different styles, different "tricks" to make playing easier, and once again, become more inspired to practice.
As for the sore fingers, play for ten minutes at a time, several times a day at first. If you overdo it, you won't be able to play at all the next day. Get guitar stands and keep the guitars readily available. Getting ready to go somewhere but you're waiting for your wife to finish her hair? Grab the guitar and play a song. Almost bedtime? Play one before you turn in and you'll sleep better. You get the idea.
And the MOST important thing is to remember they call it PLAYING for a reason. If your kids don't get into it because it's too much work, don't worry. Might be the wrong time, might be the wrong teacher, might be the wrong instrument. If that happens, I'd suggest keeping the guitar around for a while anyway. They may pick it up and play with it later when there is no pressure. If not, you can always sell it.
Oh No! if you are interested send me info on your teaching wow1mail@yahoo.com. Thanks for all the good info.
Great advice from Ono! What she said about the pinky for the g chord...that goes for other chord shapes as well. Keep an open mind and stay flexible. It takes work but the instant you do something that sounds like music you will be hooked.
First, listen to O No! She knows what she's talking about.
Second, see this (I followed Chuck's link): http://www.peopleware.net/inde...ubeventdisp=11-PE129
It works out to about $20/lesson. Quite reasonable.
Enjoy!
nsns
Second, see this (I followed Chuck's link): http://www.peopleware.net/inde...ubeventdisp=11-PE129
It works out to about $20/lesson. Quite reasonable.
Enjoy!
nsns
quote:Originally posted by O No!:
It's very important that you get a GOOD guitar. It doesn't have to be expensive, but it needs to be playable. Walmart guitars don't cut it. And stay away from those Estebans that they sell on TV. If you know someone who plays, get them to go to a pawn shop or used guitar dealer and have them help you pick one out.
Once you get started there are a few things that will help, such as:
Make sure that he uses his pinkie on the G. Some teachers and books show you to use the ring finger. The pinkie is so much better because then you can use the ring finger to catch the third fret of the D string to make a much better sounding G7. PLUS you can now use the middle and ring fingers to play the basses when the next chord is C. (That makes it easier to get there quickly.)
I know that means nothing to you right now, but it will if you take lessons with him. THAT is a great idea. You can help each other, plus a little friendly competition makes you want to practice more.
And yes, MAYBE it's better to have one teacher at first, but I encourage all of my students to learn from as many different guitarists as possible. That way you will be exposed to different styles, different "tricks" to make playing easier, and once again, become more inspired to practice.
As for the sore fingers, play for ten minutes at a time, several times a day at first. If you overdo it, you won't be able to play at all the next day. Get guitar stands and keep the guitars readily available. Getting ready to go somewhere but you're waiting for your wife to finish her hair? Grab the guitar and play a song. Almost bedtime? Play one before you turn in and you'll sleep better. You get the idea.
And the MOST important thing is to remember they call it PLAYING for a reason. If your kids don't get into it because it's too much work, don't worry. Might be the wrong time, might be the wrong teacher, might be the wrong instrument. If that happens, I'd suggest keeping the guitar around for a while anyway. They may pick it up and play with it later when there is no pressure. If not, you can always sell it.
You're right in every thing you said, Likeable Liberal. The best thing one can do when learning is to have it in their hands, ecspecially after they develop their calluses. And start out making the chords right using the pinkie, even though it is harder. Then you'll have no bad habits to break as you advance. Learn both your chromatic and pentatonic scales, and practice them using the pinkie.
I cannot for the life of me remember his name, but you can contact him through The Sound Shoppe. He will ask to listen to the songs on your son's IPOD or play-list and then teach him accordingly. He's great. My son loved learning guitar from him because he was playing the songs he loves most. The Sound Shoppe should know who it is by that description. Someone else here may know his name? If nobody has given his name by tomorrow, I'll have spoken with my son by then and get the name. 
quote:Originally posted by _Joy_:
I cannot for the life of me remember his name, but you can contact him through The Sound Shoppe. He will ask to listen to the songs on your son's IPOD or play-list and then teach him accordingly. He's great. My son loved learning guitar from him because he was playing the songs he loves most. The Sound Shoppe should know who it is by that description. Someone else here may know his name? If nobody has given his name by tomorrow, I'll have spoken with my son by then and get the name.
Is it Barry Billings? He's great.
Thanks for all the great input. Lucky to live in the Shoals where there are so many great musicians.
Keep us updated Wow. And nsns was right ONo! knows her stuff.
Stuck, I have heard of Barry Billings, but don't think I know him. He may teach the same way though if they both teach at The Sound Shoppe.
Well, I am ashamed to say that we can only come up with this man's first name, which is Scott. In our defense, my son stopped taking lessons a couple of years ago. The son says that Scott is a really nice guy (translation from "yeah, Scott's cool"...lol) as well as an excellent teacher.
True, wow...I imagine finding a talented someone will be no problem.
Well, I am ashamed to say that we can only come up with this man's first name, which is Scott. In our defense, my son stopped taking lessons a couple of years ago. The son says that Scott is a really nice guy (translation from "yeah, Scott's cool"...lol) as well as an excellent teacher.
True, wow...I imagine finding a talented someone will be no problem.
quote:Originally posted by _Joy_:
Stuck, I have heard of Barry Billings, but don't think I know him. He may teach the same way though if they both teach at The Sound Shoppe.
Well, I am ashamed to say that we can only come up with this man's first name, which is Scott. In our defense, my son stopped taking lessons a couple of years ago. The son says that Scott is a really nice guy (translation from "yeah, Scott's cool"...lol) as well as an excellent teacher.
True, wow...I imagine finding a talented someone will be no problem.
Scott Boyer?
Okay, so I decided to just call and ask...brilliant, right? His name is Scott Todd.
His name is Scott Todd.