Anyone could call themself a guitar tutor without having any qualifications whatsoever. Some unqualified instructors (who may have limited knowledge) avoid using standard music notation and instead teach by demonstration alone employing a 'copy this' type of strategy or else they advocate ONLY the use of tablature.
The use of tablature or 'tab' for guitar has become entrenched nowadays because it requires no knowledge of music and there are many books using only tab'. In my experience, I have found it fairly common that Guitar players who start this way tend to get confused when they attempt to progress to learn 'proper' music notation the same as used by other instrumentalists (or vocalists). This confusion arises, amongst other reasons, because tab' players become used to seeing the tab' grid of six horizontal lines instead of the five lines of a stave as used in standard music notation - ignoring the extra leger lines.
I have seen many students over the years who came to me after having previously been subjected to unqualified teachers. These unfortunate students often parted with much hard-earned money yet didn't even know how to tune up without the use of an electronic device. They had not been taught even the most basic rudiments of music or shown HOW TO LEARN...
MUSICIANSHIP is a LIFE-LONG LEARNING SKILL which depends on good foundations at the outset. Knowledge requires to be assimilated gradually and layered on top of solid foundations. Therefore, if you are considering guitar lessons for yourself or your child, please remember the story about the 'tortoise and the hare'. Be a tortoise to win in the long run - take the time to find a dedicated and QUALIFIED teacher.
Qualified music instructors/teachers in the United Kingdom will usually have a diploma accreditation beginning with the letter 'L' which stands for Licentiate (teacher's or performer's diploma) which means LICENSED.
For example, LTCL = Licentiate of Trinity College of Music London; LGSM = Licentiate of Guildhall School of Music, LRAM = Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and so on. There are also instructor/teachers with degrees in music e.g. B.Mus, D.Mus (Doctorate) or perhaps with a degree plus PGCE ( Post Graduate Certificate in Education).
There will, of course, be many guitar teachers (and performers) who don't have formal qualifications but who are nonetheless highly proficient teachers.
However, this highlights an important question...
How can a beginner student or a parent seeking a teacher for their child tell the difference between a good unqualified teacher and a bad unqualified teacher?
Qualifications alone do not necessarily imply a good teacher but may help in narrowing the field of choice.
I think the best teachers will have a natural affinity for teaching, have ample knowledge and experience of teaching and performing in many situations, and ideally, have sacrificed the time to study for (and acquired) a teaching accreditation.
Genuine recommendations from current or ex-students may also be useful when choosing a teacher.
Don't be afraid to ask what qualifications the instructor has. A bona-fide instructor/teacher would be happy to let you know - good luck.
Click here for some pros and cons of Music Notation versus Tablature
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Copyright (c) 2009 by Dr Bill Mann, Scotland