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[heretic]

ok, so i got a call yesterday from my friend at guitar center (woke me up too, the bastard) and he said they just lost a bunch of thier music teachers becasue they took all the clients and opened their own shop.
he put me through to the supervisonr or whatever i went in for an interview today.
i'd taught a class in highschool when the teacher moved away and they had noone else, but that was really informal and a bunch of the kids didn't really do anything. it was just a periosd to screw around on the guitars and try to learn a song for the christmas show.
but now i'm going to teach beginning guitar at guitar center, and i was hoping to draw from this weath of knowledge for any suggestions on songs, drills, or techniques to teach these kids. i've already decided i'm gonna leave a lot of it up to them, but i should have something in case the kid has no clue. i remember some stretching excercizes and easy warm-ups from the short time we actually had a teacher, but other than that all i can think of is teach them songs they bring in. maybe get a feel for what they like and suggest some stuff.
any ideas?

[Thrillho]

Well find out what they like.

Depending on the type of music they like, songs by Blink 182, Green Day, White Stripes or The Cure might be nice starter tracks.

[Johnny C]

I teach guitar for money and I'm having minor success, so uh here's my advice:

1) Before they learn a single song, get them to learn their chords (Full list of what I teach my students: E, Em, G, A, Am, C, D, Dm and every relative seventh).  I know you said you want to leave it up to them but honestly they deserve a firm foundation, plus it helps you teach them later on. As well, show them how to read chording sheets.

2) After that, teach 'em tabulature and all the associated techniques - hammer-ons, taps, stuff like that.

Those two easy steps should supply you with about two months worth of lesson plans if you draw them up in a manner that gives the kids both time and fun. While you're teaching them those basics, throw songs in. Find out what they like and supply them with chord sheets and, later, tabs for them.

[ForteBass]

I also highly reccomend running scales with them. Even the rudimentary major and minor scales (Hell, even modal scales) provides a strong foundation.

[La Creme]

Do not let them play Stairway. Seriously.

Everything's been covered, but:
Get them to start improvising and writing as early as you think they are capable.

[Storm Rider]

Songs by Blink 182 and Green Day might be nice starter tracks.

No. NO. Bad! We will not spread crappy pop-punk guitar playing.

[Thrillho]

Songs by Blink 182 and Green Day might be nice starter tracks.

No. NO. Bad! We will not spread crappy pop-punk guitar playing.

Oh fuck off. They're nice easy songs to start playing, half the kids will love those bands anyway and it's instant gratification. Plus they can show their mates 'hey, look what I can play!'

[ForteBass]

He makes a good point. Teaching kids songs you like can be helpful, but you also have to teach them ones they want to know.

[La Creme]

My first 3 songs were by Sum 41, System Of A Down, and Sugarray. I now play predominantly jazz and mad-psychedelic experimental stuff. Your roots in learning an instrument really won't affect what you'll play later; what you listen to will.

[Storm Rider]

I was kidding. Chill.

[Thrillho]

I was kidding. Chill.

1. Saying 'chill' to someone who's pissed off is just asking for a punch in the face. It's only slightly better than 'take a chill pill, Bill' or 'calm down dear, it's only a commercial.'

2. Using the word 'fuck' does not an unchilled person make.

[HeroX]

i taught guitar lessons for a while (back when i had the time) and the number 1 problem you'll run into is that anyone just starting out will have a hell of a time getting their fingers to work properly. you could make them walk scales if you want, but what i used to do was just make them work the first four frets. ie:
e|-------------------------------------------------1-2-3-4--|
B|----------------------------------------1-2-3-4-----------|
G|------------------------------1-2-3-4---------------------|
D|--------------------1-2-3-4-------------------------------|
A|-----------1-2-3-4-----------------------------------------|
E|--1-2-3-4--------------------------------------------------|

i'd get my students to do that ascending and descending, starting off really slow and then speading up the tempo. then we'd mix it up.
ex: 1-3-2-4 or 1-4-2-3

it doesnt sound as pretty as scales, but it saves trying to teach them theory before they've even gotten to know their guitar. it'll loosen up their fingers and get them comfortable with the strings and feel of the neck.

this exercise never wears out it's use either. i still do it before playing a show to warm up my fingers.

[Thrillho]

i taught guitar lessons for a while (back when i had the time) and the number 1 problem you'll run into is that anyone just starting out will have a hell of a time getting their fingers to work properly. you could make them walk scales if you want, but what i used to do was just make them work the first four frets. ie:
e|-------------------------------------------------1-2-3-4--|
B|----------------------------------------1-2-3-4-----------|
G|------------------------------1-2-3-4---------------------|
D|--------------------1-2-3-4-------------------------------|
A|-----------1-2-3-4-----------------------------------------|
E|--1-2-3-4--------------------------------------------------|

i'd get my students to do that ascending and descending, starting off really slow and then speading up the tempo. then we'd mix it up.
ex: 1-3-2-4 or 1-4-2-3

it doesnt sound as pretty as scales, but it saves trying to teach them theory before they've even gotten to know their guitar. it'll loosen up their fingers and get them comfortable with the strings and feel of the neck.

this exercise never wears out it's use either. i still do it before playing a show to warm up my fingers.

Got to vouch for these exercises, they helped me a whole load.

[IronOxide]

Sweet, this is like free lessons for me. Life ist gut.

[ForteBass]

I concur on that one. That little lesson can totally help me out!

[ImRonBurgundy?]

Songs by Blink 182 and Green Day might be nice starter tracks.

No. NO. Bad! We will not spread crappy pop-punk guitar playing.

so give 'em some good pop-punk instead.  Screeching Weasel, The Queers, etc.  woo-ha!

[Kai]

Go Screeching Weasel! My Braint Hurts is easily one of the greatest albums of my childhood.