What Is The Best Way To Learn The Classical Guitar?

I have already been teaching in excess of 30 years now, within both public and state schools and in my own home practice. I find no two pupils understand the exact same way or pace. It is ideal if you learn with a professional Classical Guitar Tutor, as they really know what are realistic expectations for your learning, and will set realistic objectives based on that. These smaller objectives will keep you inspired and make sure you go on to learn the Classical Guitar in the long-term. If you are a total starter, then a regular half hour session will be a good start. You will soon know the fundamentals and the more you learn, the more gratifying it becomes. Learning to play the Classical Guitar is just like studying to do anything else in life, the more time you commit doing it and the more hardwork you put into it, the more it will benefit you. I used to spend hours a day rehearsing whilst I was studying. Of course, not everybody may want to follow the Classical Guitar as a occupation, and instead as a leisure activity or as a skill. Learning by yourself will be tricky, and you may find yourself becoming upset with your progress or not being able to see an improvement. The Classical Guitar is technically complex, so having a Classical Guitar teacher there will give you the confidence that you are learning the correct way.

Ok, so you’ve decided to learn the Classical Guitar with a professional instructor. What do you have to get?

Make sure you have the correct Classical Guitar. This is obviously the most important thing! Most good online and offline retailers will have a specialist section on Classical Guitars, however your teacher may highly recommend a particular one. Make sure that you get the appropriate size, as if it is too small your playing position will develop poorly and if it’s too big you will find it hard to reach across the fretboard. These specifications will depend upon your physical size etc, so talk to the shop assistants or your Guitar Tutor.

Go to your first lesson with the correct guitar and any music books (if your teacher has recommended one for you). If it is your first session, it is likely that your Classical Guitar Teacher will already have some music books and helpful information for you to work from. Whilst picking your teacher, check they are a member of the ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) or Musicians Union, and that they have an up to date CRB check. It is always a good sign if the music teacher has a music room or studio if lessons are to be held at their residence. Obviously, for a guitar instructor to be in a school, they will have been CRB checked and are usually a member of one of the organizations I have just brought up. But it would be a positive thing to check to be sure.

As a parent or guardian, don’t feel reluctant to speak to the tutor direct, and ask to see the CRB or Membership number if you want to.

Some people who don’t want to agree to individual lessons immediately, could do a shared session with a friend but be warned, one of the friends may learn faster than the other one, so you run the risk of the quicker one being bored and the other friend being upset. This can be avoided by having different lessons from the very beginning.

Duet lessons and ensemble groups are the best way of playing together in a non comparative environment.

The Classical Guitar is a rewarding musical instrument, and can help you to connect with your inner guitarist! I hope you enjoy your experience in learning to play the Classical Guitar.

Janet Mosley
www.classical-guitar-teacher.com