Can a mature aged adult still learn guitar?Absolutely. In fact there as been research done that shows that learning a musical instrumental is beneficial as you age. www.helpguide.org rates learning a musical instrument at the top of their list for exercising the brain as you age.
How long does it take to learn to play guitar? This is a relative question but to give you an idea; - If you were 12 years old and over and were to practice guitar for 30 minutes a day it would take you between 6 and 12 months to play 'Stairway to Heaven'. I would stress though that if you followed the G4GUITARMETHOD step by step process to the letter it would probably happen quicker.
Are there any tips for learning guitar chords? - When most people learn guitar chords they begin by putting their 1st finger in place followed by their 2nd then 3rd and 4th. By reversing and mixing up the order of placement E.g. 3rd, 2nd 1st in that order the fingers will learn to be independent and land simultaneously.
Why do some people seem to be able to pick up the guitar faster then others? - Music is like a language. If you are exposed to music or better still music lessons from an early age you are likely to respond to the learning process faster. Many great musicians were children of musicians. E.g. Mozart was the son of one of Europe's leading music teachers. But this is not the only factor. Some people are just better at following instruction. They take a strategic approach to learning. I have been teaching guitar for over 20 years and I use the G4GUITARMETHOD and teach everyone the same way. The ones who pick it up the fastest are those who stick closest to the instructions.
How do I know who is a great guitarist? - There are lets say two poles in guitar playing. The North Pole and South Pole. The North Pole is the technical side of guitar playing. You must develop technical skills to be able to effectively execute. The South Pole is the Creative side. This is what makes people emotional. Imagine a blues player who can play one very simple note yet it sends chills up your spine. The trick is to live close to the equator. Mix skill with emotion for the best result.
Why should I go to a teacher? - A GREAT teacher will make all the difference. We need someone to make us accountable or we will rarely stick to the plan. Think of fitness. How often have you decided that today you are going to start jogging and get fit. A week later you miss a day, then two and before you know it your back flicking through the TV channels instead of jogging. Teachers generally know the approach to learning or at the very least will probably have a better idea than you if you are just starting out. For example the technique of guitar playing is important and a GREAT Teacher will ensure you stay aware of what is important. Self teaching guitarists often have poor habits which hamper their progress. Lessons are really worth the money. Especially if you are just beginning.
What age should my child start learning the guitar? - The basic answer is the younger, the better. Children are like sponges and they are able to absorb a lot more information during their early development years. A 5 year old child will learn around 1000 new words in a year compared to an adult who learns about a dozen. They receive information at a huge rate compared to a fully developed adult. Furthermore, the younger the student, the more likely the student will be able to attain perfect pitch. In general terms, perfect pitch is when a person is able to identify the pitch of a note by just hearing it. People with perfect pitch hear pitch like most people see colour. E.g. C note is like red and a D is like blue. There is no mistaking one for the other. It sounds easy but is quiet difficult to achieve if you start learning a musical instrument later in life. If a child starts at a younger age, they would more likely be able to attain perfect pitch due to conditioning of the ear and brain. It is like when we learn a language. Did you know that our brain actually creates filters in our hearing during our first year of life so that we are attuned to the sounds in our own environment. Children who have familiarized themselves with the process of playing music, ‘guitar-ing’ are usually able to solve musical problems, faster. This would be due to the sheer amount of time spent playing, reading and surrounding themselves with music. Lastly, besides all the science they will have a creative outlet that they can use that will stay with them for life. Now that’s cool.
What is the benefit of learning guitar? - The benefits of learning the guitar are numerous. Besides the abundant amount of studies conducted with the benefits of music (especially with children) here are the reasons why your child will benefit from learning the guitar via the G4 Guitar Method.1.) They will learn how to read TAB and musical notation ( a universal language in itself) and how to play the guitar.2.) In group classes, they will learn non-musical attributes related to real life scenarios, i.e. teamwork, cooperation, socialising, obeying rules and structures etc. They will learn how to learn in a group environment. 3.) The students will have a positive creative outlet and are less likely to spend their time on computers and video games.. 4.) And lastly they will exercise the right side of the brain, the creative side! This is especially important for someone who is in the logical, mathematical and scientific fields of employment, as music will let you discover the other side of the brain. Learning the guitar is fun and very helpful in creating beneficial outcomes for students in their schooling. Their musical education aids them in growing up and will help them become successful adults.
How old is too old? - When you believe your too old...
Why are fundamentals important? - Fundamentals are important because songs are based on most, if not ALL of the fundamentals detailed the G4 Guitar Method. In the G4 Guitar Method, the fundamentals are explained in the First 5 Week Special. They are explained in plain English to help the student realise the importance of proper technique and form. These fundamentals are then implemented in the different levels (Junior and Senior levels), carefully designed by David Hart to maximise the students learning. After the student is aware of the fundamentals and is practicing each area on a regular basis they will notice an improvement in the speed and articulation in which they are able to learn new songs. Why? Because we breakdown the learning information into simple steps so it’s easily digested. We teach correct technique and form, because we believe in it will make you a better guitarist long term. And isn’t that what you want?
What should I be expecting from the G4 Guitar Method? You can expect to be an AMEB CPM Advancing Grade 1 guitarist after 2 years. We cannot promise you that you will necessarily achieve this grading as that is ultimately up to you but if you stick with the course and do the practice then I can say that its highly likely that you will receive your Grade 1.
Why do I feel like I am not getting anywhere? It is usually a very simple case of the “I want it now” blues. Think Bart Simpson "Are we there yet?". Learning the guitar requires the development of fine motor skills. Developing fine motor skills is a slow tedious process. Most people get frustrated because it seems to be taking too long to reach their goal. The return on your time investment seems too small. If you are wanting quick results the best case scenario is to practice 6 hours a day for 6 months and you will seriously begin to feel like you are getting somewhere. Break that down to what you are doing for a rough idea. E.g. 1 hour per day will take 3 years.
I feel like I already know what is being taught. Why? For students who have experience it is quite possible that the first part of the course (the first 15 weeks) will cover material you already know. This may frustrate you at times but it is necessary to ensure that you fully understand what is required in each area. Intermediate students often return to lessons because they feel like they have come up against a wall. In others they do not feel like they are improving. This is usually the result of a lack of focus on motor skill development often referred to as the basics. Ask any pro player how they improve and they will almost always say ‘by going back to the basics.’
What if I am practicing 3+ hours a day and want more work, is the 30 min lesson enough? The G4 course is a combination of a structure course with a clear goal and a flexible open component to allow for individual interests and levels of skill. If you are wanting more out of your lessons (e.g. learning particular songs, working on specific interests or styles) I would suggest you take up additional private lessons . The G4 course is primarily about getting you to a AMEB CPM Grade 1.
Other students in the class seem either too advanced for me or vice versa. Is this ok? At times you might feel like you are either behind the class or too advanced for it. Especially in the early stages. This is natural. No two people are the same. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses but no matter what your level the Six Daily Skills are the same. The advanced student needs to be reminded of these skills just as much as the beginner. These skills will help you improve your playing at any time whether it be reading music, executing a riff, changing between chords, strumming out a rhythm etc. So next time you are in a class and feel like you have heard it all before ask yourself “Do I really know this?”. Make the most of every class.
I don't really want to learn music. I just want to play some songs. Can I do that with G4GUITAR? Regarding the G4GUITARMETHOD I will say you are not the first person to raise the issue that we teach not just songs but the foundations of effective guitar playing and music. I have personally been teaching guitar for over 20 years. Prior to teaching I had more than 20 different teachers throughout my youth and only two of those teachers were honest and brave enough to teach me what was good for me in the long run opposed what I wanted in the moment (at the time it was Led Zeppelin and ACDC riffs). At G4GUITAR we assume anyone who takes up guitar plans to play for the rest of their life. Teachers who teach with out a long term plan (which are most) for their students are mostly entertaining to keep you happy in the moment. We are of course a business and business to most people is about keeping your customers happy (spending money) but I have chosen to do what’s best for our students in the long run. We live in a fast food/instant gratification society and unfortunately as we know fast food may be quick and momentarily satisfying but the long term results paint a grim picture. In fact I feel responsible because I know what will happen if you just learn song after song with no attention to skill development. So in summary our goal is to have a school that does not compromise or take short cuts in learning guitar. After literally teaching thousands of students and studying some of the world’s best and most successful methods of teaching music then applying those methods and witnessing the progress of students I can say with 100% confidence that what we offer is best method I am aware of for learning guitar. By learning the and following the G4GUITARMETHOD you will be able to play whatever you wish. It is just a matter of time.
