Do You Remember Your First Guitar Lesson?

So as guitar teachers we have all gone through the first time of actually doing a proper structured, professional lesson with a paying student! My Guitar Lessons tutor Mr John Becket talks frankly about his very first time he taught the guitar

It was during a period of unemployment in the early 1990s, having been out of work for about a year due to ill health, and at a disadvantage of getting back into work, that I voluntarily signed up for the Governments then known “Employment Action” scheme. This was to help the long term unemployed get back into work. At the initial interview I was asked what skills I had. Prior to my Unemployment I was a Milkman. Years ago prior to that however I was an Art Student & “Bedroom Guitarist”

Wishing to make a go of Art & Music professionally it was mentioned to the Interviewer that I had Art Experience. This led to being assigned to work at a local Community Arts Center as a Publicity Designer and Arts Worker. In this environment I was able to access a local Folk Music Club and performed there every 2nd sunday evening in the Month for 2 years as a floor spot musician. Although I would have very much liked to have been a professional Musician, it didn’t work out that way and the next best alternative, that of Guitar Teaching was tried. With a bit of primitive advertising mainly by word of mouth and free notice boards, couldn’t afford paid advertising, I eventually got my first lesson inquiry.

The inquiring Student said he wanted to play like Eric Clapton and required me to help him in this regard. A lack of confidence came over me but I had to start somewhere. The only instrument I had then was a Fender Acoustic Guitar, so I agreed to conduct the lesson. Struggling on the Bus with the Instrument and eventually finding my way to a tucked away Mews off the main street, I was ushered in. The guy had an electric Guitar, can’t remember if it was a Strat, and he showed me what he could do on it.

With lightening speed he ran up and down the Pentatonic Minor Scale. Far better than I could ever attempt at the time. At that moment a sense of dread came over me as there was no way I could match his skill. What do I do now? I kept silent, not wishing to lose credibility, continuing to listen and watch him play, when finished he said “That’s all I can do Mate, I can’t do nothing else”.

A sense of relief, now I could reasonably and confidently teach him chords and a few riffs which he couldn’t do. So the lesson continued, although I don’t think I did very well. Pleasently surprised, he paid me but didn’t ask me back again. At least it was a start. Over the years I have learned & hopefully improved from this experience and other positive and negative experiences.

My current situation? As a one to one Tutor with My Guitar Lessons I have added other instruments to my Guitar Teaching Repertoire, Mandolin, Banjo, Harmonica, Ukulele & Stick/Appalachian Dulcimer in order to keep a continuity of lessons going. There is always available space for New Students who are welcomed to come on board.

To find out more about Johns lessons please visit – www.myguitarlessons.co.uk/guitar-teacher/johnbeckett