Your First Guitar Teacher... Options

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hey guys! I would like to know how you started studying guitar.

I took classes with my first guitar teacher when I was 12 years old. It was at a music school and he used the Berkley method. I remember that the only thing that I wanted to do at that moment was playing alternative rock and learning songs. So I used to get bored, I didn't found it attractive at that moment. After a year I stopped because of this. My second guitar teacher was a rocker/bluessy guy that taught me the pentatonic scale and how to use it. I was so happy with that!

Is GMC your first contact with guitar learning and guitar instructors? Have you ever studied with a guitar teacher? How was the experience?

[JesseJ]

I first started playing guitar when I was 14 . This guy I knew played guitar and I asked him to teach me and he agreed . So I went through 3 months of lessons in which he covered ALOT of stuff , Although all I took away from the lessons was open chord shape's Haha I just wanted play songs !

I then played rythm guitar in church for a year , Then I stopped playing guitar for about year ( The reason being I didn't even own a guitar but my dad had a fender acoustic that I played but I always wanted to play electric guitar . So I got bored on my dad's old acoustic and just kinda quit .

Then the same guy that gave me lessons lent me a Vox electric guitar and I started playing again but By now I was bored with the same 10 chords and decided I wanted to learn lead guitar , but it got way to hard so I kind of put the guitar down again for a little while . But I didn't quit ! A little while later I picked up the guitar again and kept on trying. I was watching a video on youtube ( a sweet home alabama guitar cover ) And in the info section the guy said to check out guitarmasterclass.net so I did and found this place ! This is the sweetest site ever haha I love it here ! This is exactly what I needed, There are sooo many lessons and you can get mentored if you want!!

The guy that first taught me guitar still mentors me and lends me gear to try and stuff like that . Anyway he said playing guitar isn't about a destination but a journey and to enjoy it All I know is this time I'm not going to stop playing again !

[Gabriel Leopardi]

I first started playing guitar when I was 14 . This guy I knew played guitar and I asked him to teach me and he agreed . So I went through 3 months of lessons in which he covered ALOT of stuff , Although all I took away from the lessons was open chord shape's Haha I just wanted play songs !

I then played rythm guitar in church for a year , Then I stopped playing guitar for about year ( The reason being I didn't even own a guitar but my dad had a fender acoustic that I played but I always wanted to play electric guitar . So I got bored on my dad's old acoustic and just kinda quit .

Then the same guy that gave me lessons lent me a Vox electric guitar and I started playing again but By now I was bored with the same 10 chords and decided I wanted to learn lead guitar , but it got way to hard so I kind of put the guitar down again for a little while . But I didn't quit ! A little while later I picked up the guitar again and kept on trying. I was watching a video on youtube ( a sweet home alabama guitar cover ) And in the info section the guy said to check out guitarmasterclass.net so I did and found this place ! This is the sweetest site ever haha I love it here ! This is exactly what I needed, There are sooo many lessons and you can get mentored if you want!!

The guy that first taught me guitar still mentors me and lends me gear to try and stuff like that . Anyway he said playing guitar isn't about a destination but a journey and to enjoy it All I know is this time I'm not going to stop playing again !

Nice story man! It's really inspiring. I love that quote that your teacher says. Can't agree more!

[Sensible Jones]

I was completely self-taught from the age of 13 through to about 21. I then had a couple of lessons with Tim Renwick. These were organised by the Record Company we were with at that time.


From then I'm still mainly self-taught but spent more time doing Tech work than actually playing! GMC has been a great place to interact with Teachers and Students alike!!

[superize]

My first guitar learning experience was from GMC.

I have only worked with one teacher in person.

Its this guy



I have worked with him at summer course two summers now and he changed the way i look at playing and music. He dident teach anything how to master the instrument but he talked about more important thing that involves playing in a band. It has been a really helpful for me and the other guys in my band that also have been participating in these summer courses.

We are still getting a lot of help from him as he comes once a month to help out with my band

[Cosmin Lupu]

My first experience with the guitar was at 13 years I had a friend in the neighborhood who was very respected by everyone. He was that sort of dude that knows how to pick up chicks, skate like crazy, be cool, kick the butts of all the nasty guys, dress up extremely awesome for those times and of course...play the guitar.

We met in the parka few times and all my friends were revering him for being able to play Metallica, Nirvana and GNR songs. First hit! I knew he would be my first teacher, so I was following him around all day long and asked him to write tabs on NAPKINS for me that's how I learned my first chords

Later on we became best friends and started a band together, in which we played from 2001 to 2009. Had a big argue and haven't spoken for about 1 year. Back in 2010 we started talking again and figured out we were a bunch of idiots. Currently we are going to the gym together and we came back to being good friends!

Cosmin

[JesseJ]

My first experience with the guitar was at 13 years I had a friend in the neighborhood who was very respected by everyone. He was that sort of dude that knows how to pick up chicks, skate like crazy, be cool, kick the butts of all the nasty guys, dress up extremely awesome for those times and of course...play the guitar.

We met in the parka few times and all my friends were revering him for being able to play Metallica, Nirvana and GNR songs. First hit! I knew he would be my first teacher, so I was following him around all day long and asked him to write tabs on NAPKINS for me that's how I learned my first chords

Later on we became best friends and started a band together, in which we played from 2001 to 2009. Had a big argue and haven't spoken for about 1 year. Back in 2010 we started talking again and figured out we were a bunch of idiots. Currently we are going to the gym together and we came back to being good friends!

Cosmin

That's sweet that you guys are friends again

Nice story man! It's really inspiring. I love that quote that your teacher says. Can't agree more!

Yah that guy is my best friend and mentor ! He know so much about guitar it just blows me away . He can tell what key a song is in just by listening he doesn't even need his guitar with him , and for most of the time if a band is using a big name company like Gibson , Fender, PRS he can tell what kind of guitar is being played and through what amp.

And you should see his collection of guitar's
Fender Stratocaster
2 Fender Telecaster's
Fender blacktop jaguar
Vox strat copy
Line 6 variax
A handmade acoustic
A gretsch ( not sure what model )
A fender P-Bass
12-string acoustic

He is an inspiration to me !

[Cosmin Lupu]

Awesome man it's always very inspiring to be able to learn from someone you respect and admire!

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Nice posts guys! It's really cool to know that your first guitar teachers are still a part of your life.

[Gitarrero]

My dad was my first guitar teacher, he taught me the basic open chords (yeah, open chords!) when I was 11. We went on to barre chords and different strumming and picking patterns.
I never learned to read music, I just figured everything out by hear with my da's help. I started with playing rhythm guitar to some songs of The Shadows, since my father happened to play in a Shadows tribute band.
At 16, I taught myself to play along to Green Day, Die Ärzte and so on.
My black Ibanez guitar actually was the last present my dad gave me before he passed away, that is also the reason why I got it tattooed on my arm. But I'm going off topic here
With 18, I discovered tabs on the internet and some time ago (feels like yesterday) I became a member here. And I think it helped my guitar playing to some extent And my english got better too...I'd say it's pretty darn brisk now , not to say spiff