Is it worth taking lessons for one month???

[E5RSY]

I only have enough spare funds for a month's worth of lessons locally. Is it worth the effort with that limitation in mind???

If so, how would you approach it? Would you load up on materials/information for woodshedding later, or take at a normal instructional pace?

Thanks,
Scott

[Mike Bruce]

It depends on what you need, what the instructor can deliver, lesson length, and how much practice you can squeeze in. As an instructor, I would say yes, it's worth it, as long as you get practice time in and follow my instruction closely.

Good luck!

Peace, Mike.

[MikeS29]

I've done it. Twice. A month here, a month there. I got great benefit from it, got me out of my self-taught rut. I can feel another rut-adjuster coming soon, maybe in the next 6 months or so.

[boneyguy]

Well the next question might be "When can you next afford some more lessons?"

It's not a bad idea to do the month's worth of instruction and then go off and 'woodshed'. Under the instruction of a good teacher you can make alot of progress in a month and be given a very clear direction to head in while studyng on your own. The crucial piece is finding a very good teacher for that month. Then after you've set aside some more dough, maybe a few months from now, you can go back for more instruction. It could work.

[Mike Bruce]

I also do casual lessons, ie irregularly scheduled, for those who can't do weekly or bi-weekly lessons. I address whatever they need.

Peace, Mike.

[octatonic]

Depends.
I can give a dedicated and self-aware student 6 months work in about an hour.
Provided they don't have problems with technique that need to be monitored it is fine.

A lot of people seem to require the discipline of going to see someone weekly though.

[MickM]

With the right instructor, very well worth it! I was lucky to meet a guy from the Pittsburgh area in the early '80's named John Grunder. Taught me more in one month than I ever would've found on my own. 9th's, 13th's, 7th's, substitutions opened up a whole new world of blues playing! I'd like to know where he is so I could thank him but last I heard was he went to CA. to work in Fender's then new custom shop but that was 30 or so yrs ago.

[allen st. john]

Good idea.
I'd probably space them out: do a lesson, work on the material for a couple or three weeks, then come back.
The key, of course, is getting the right guy. I've taken some lessons that really didn't stick, and others that transformed my playing. The key is not whether the guy is a great player, but whether he's thoughtful, observant, and organized.

[dburns]

I would say go for it. Money keeps me from taking lessons as much as I would like as well, but if you've been playing awhile already and have a good grasp of the basics, a good teacher can really help you improve with only a month's worth of lessons. I still reference and draw on lessons that I've taken from over a year ago...and probably always will.

[speed monkey]

Yep, I say go for it.

As a long time teacher I will seek a local bad mofo or two for a month of lessons when I get in a rut...it really helps.

[otaypanky]

As an alternative, if you can find a good instructional DVD you'll have a lot to gain from a one time cost. Lessons are great and a skilled instructor could help with things that you obviously won't get from a DVD in terms of how you approach the guitar, your technique, etc. But for ideas and basic knowledge, a DVD lets you go back whenever you want. I have had a few lessons over the years, I'm taking some drum instruction every 2 weeks at present, and the time flies by and I retain what I can, but I'm sure lots goes by me.
The important thing is to find a good DVD. A bad one is a waste of $$$
Maybe a friend you know has some you could borrow ?

[E5RSY]

You know, the DVDs ain't a bad idea. For the price of a month of 30-minute lessons I could get 3 or 4 Hot Licks DVDs that I can always go back to. Hmmmm...decisions, decisions.

[dburns]

Don't mean to talk you down from the DVD idea, but the best players don't always make the best teachers, especially in an hour or so video. I just think there's something about sitting down one on one in a room with a good instructor. Plus, there's plenty DVD clips on youtube, for free.

[MickM]

Originally Posted by otaypanky

As an alternative, if you can find a good instructional DVD you'll have a lot to gain from a one time cost. Lessons are great and a skilled instructor could help with things that you obviously won't get from a DVD in terms of how you approach the guitar, your technique, etc. But for ideas and basic knowledge, a DVD lets you go back whenever you want. I have had a few lessons over the years, I'm taking some drum instruction every 2 weeks at present, and the time flies by and I retain what I can, but I'm sure lots goes by me.
The important thing is to find a good DVD. A bad one is a waste of $$$
Maybe a friend you know has some you could borrow ?

Big +1. Forgot all about the vids. Keith Wyatt had a couple beginner/intermediate blues instructionals on VHS but I don't know if they're still available.

[davie blue]

A month of lessons could be valuable if it gives you some clear direction and motivation for woodshedding. I would ask the instructor to evaluate your playing, tell him where you'd like to go, and together develop a practice schedule. Also he can point you to some books, videos, websites, and other resources. That way you've got material to work on for months after the lessons have ended, and hopefully the lessons will charge you up to really drive you to practice.

[jazztele]

I'm gonna come off like an a-hole, as I sometimes do on music education threads, but, ah...what the hell.

I can teach you more in one hour than any video. I know I can, and I don't don't even know you. I know I can becasue I'd be able to SEE what you're doing. Videos are fine for picking up some licks, but (from the content of other posts i remember) you sound like you really want to get better, not just have some new tricks in your bag.

i say do the lessons. I like the idea of spacing them out, and make some clear goals and share them with your instructor. Talk to a few teachers beforehand. Make sure they're hip to giving real "homework."

then pretend to practice your ass off to make it worthwhile.

go for it, have fun, work hard, and you will reap benefits.

[E5RSY]

Originally Posted by jazztele

I'm gonna come off like an a-hole, as I sometimes do on music education threads, but, ah...what the hell.

I can teach you more in one hour than any video.

Hey, no "a-hole" violation here. As we say in Texas: It ain't braggin' if it's true!

Both options have their pro's and con's. The DVDs are a one-time cost and I can use them for as long as I please, going back to them repeatedly, as needed or desired. On the other hand, the good thing about an instructor is the diagnostic aspect of it and the fact that they could supply me with an actual game-plan to execute. I may try to find a way to do a combination of both routes.

[jazztele]

as an aside, I encourage my students to audio record our lessons...I think any teacher who's worth a hoot would...

[jsepguitar]

The big advantage a good live instructor has over a book or video is that he can give you immediate feedback on your technique and can assess exactly what you need to work on to accomplish your goals. If you just want to learn songs or licks you can do that on your own, but if you want to learn to be a better guitar player getting that first hand feedback can help push you to the next level.

[Jonder]

i'd like to thanks everyone,this thread has inspired my to come out of the woodshed and go take a month of lessons. the video/youtube thang just isnt as much fun after awhile.now to find a good instructor in Springfield..