What type of teacher is the best for me?

[swillie]

Is it best to get lessons from a classical teacher or reading sheet music, or is it best to learn tab for my favourite songs?

[Danny Poole]

I have been teaching for about 15 years and this is one of the most common ways for teachers to teach (method via fav' songs). Most people who learn the guitar only want to do it for fun, therefore if you start them off with "this is the E,F & G notes, they are found on the 1st string, Open, 1st & 3rd frets" they can switch off right away. There is only a select few that start of saying "right, I want to learn the right way first!". This is actually an easier way for teacher because lessons then become structured and if you start teaching everything from the beginning, it may be slower at first but then as a teacher I don't have to back track when a lessons says "why is this called that?".

[Bernie]

hi...just joined this site. trying to get some info on how to properly place my fingers on the strings of a bass guitar. i have been practising for a while now and want to vastly improve my skill...i am self taught. some advice would be appreciated.

[Danny Poole]

On the bass more so the standard 6 string, finger stretching is important. There are 2 pics attached (both 6 string but it doesn't matter), the first one "finexe.jpg" shows front on how to position your fingers. Make sure they are stretched out over the 4 frets. Notice how the fingers are upright and not on an angle. The thumb is inline with the 2nd finger. The second pic "pos_hand_back.jpg" is where the thumb should be placed on the back of the guitar.


use this link to see more info on positioning you fingers http://www.guitartutoronline.com/com...the_basics.htm

[Vix]

Originally Posted by swillie

Is it best to get lessons from a classical teacher or reading sheet music, or is it best to learn tab for my favourite songs?

I don't believe anyone can answer that for you. You have to decide where you want to take your playing and what's the best way to get it there. For example, if you're only interested in learning to play songs by your favourite bands (don't get me wrong, that's perfectly all right), then, there's no real need to learn reading sheet music.
However, if you want to take your playing to the next level, beyond just covering songs, it'll probably be easier in the long run to learn some theory. Reading music is still not an obligation but it's actually very helpful.

So yea, it's really up to you and it depends strictly on what your goals are.