The Difference Between Teaching An Adult Guitar And A Child The Guitar

Are The Teaching Techniques I Use Différent In Teaching A Child Guitar Compared To Teaching An Adult Guitar?

Depending on the age of the child, I go a lot slower than when I teach an adult. For example, a child of seven, I would start with learning the note durations a half note and a quarter note and having the child be able to count the durations aloud, clap them, and draw them would be enough for the first lesson. Then in the next lesson, I would start to introduce one note per week starting with the first string open E. I would not begin teaching fretting until maybe the third lesson with a child. For an adult, I would out teaching note durations and a song using open strings. I would teach the adult fretting in the second lesson and I could teach three notes at a time, starting on the first string E. I would teach how to read and play E, F, and G on the first string, and teach them two or three notes on the strings per week. For each string, they would learn to read it on the musical staff and play it using prescribed exercises and songs. For a child, they would learn the same thing, but it would take a lot longer to get there. Most important, is to keep them motivated to play and to continue learning the guitar.

How To Set Up Your Child for Success in Beginning Guitar

As a guitar teacher, like any music teacher, I experience a certain amount of student turnover. It was more so when I was a beginning teacher. I saw that a lot of it was due to my disorganization and lack of experience. Today, I have a small amount of students that drop out of lessons. This is due to many reasons, but the most common reason is lack of structure, support and organization provided at home. What typically happens is that the parents have good intentions thinking it's a great idea for the child to take up an instrument. They believe in the benefits of playing a musical instrument and they think that a guitar is a cool choice.  However, if there is no structure working consistently at home, the child is left to fend for themselves and after doing their homework for school, are overbooked with other activities and are distracted by video games and television(more in the last twenty years), and the guitar ends up being last on the list of things to do. As a result, the child ends up showing up to the weekly lesson unprepared and losing every ounce of self confidence they ever had and ultimately losing motivation and quiting.

So in order to avoid a scenario like the one I just described above, I would like to give you my ideas on how to create a structure for your child to thrive on his guitar and be successful.

1.  Create an environment suitable for practicing.
A. It could be in your child's room or wherever you have a quiet space away from distractions.
B. Have a music stand so the guitar can be out of the case with easy access to play.
C. Create a notebook to keep the child's music, notes and assignments from his/her teacher.
D. The parents and child should agree on designated time each day.

For students younger than 12, the teacher, child, and parent need to work together. Every week the teacher should provide your child with explicit directions on what needs to be practiced. I provide my students with a practice sheet which has boxes for each day and what exercise of song should be practiced. Some students like me to write the length of time for each activity. Every week, I go over the sheet with them so we are both clear on what is to be expected of them. I go over the sheet with the parents as well. I also have a space for comments. It is also a good way to be accountable and organized for the child, parent, and me as the teacher.

If these ideas are implemented, the result is the child developes an ability to focus, adapt practicing as daily habit, master the instrument, motivate himself/herself and raise his/her self esteem. He/she can use the same skills for their school work and improve their grades in school.

Playing an instrument can be a life long pleasurable endeavor where there is always something to learn.

For a copy of the practice sheet that I give to my students, feel free to email me a request at garyguitarist@yahoo.com.

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning the guitar, I teach at my studio which is based in Aix-en-Provence; and I also teach via Skype, or Zoom to anyone in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. You can get more information on my website at americanguitar.fr 

Guitar Classes offered in English and French in Aix-en -Provence, France

My passion is teaching guitar!

Whether you are a child or an adult,

My over 25 years of teaching experience and training, 

using proven methods, 

will enable you to play the guitar in less

time than you could ever imagine!

I specialize in acoustic guitar, with a

classic rock, jazz, finger style, and 

classical influence

Beginning Group Guitar Classes for Adults Starting in January, 2016 in Aix en Provence

Group guitar classes for beginners: for those who always dreamed of playing the guitar, but never had the time; or if you sing and want to accompany yourself, this is an opportunity for you!
You will start learning songs immediately in the first class.

Length of the Class: One Month (1 1/2 hours per week).

How many classes will be offered? 
2 classes: one during the day, and the other in the evening.

How many people will there be in each class?
A limit of 8 students per class.

Do you have extra guitars if I don't already own one to use for the class?
I have two adult full size guitars available for rental (15 euros per month)

Where will the classes be held?
Presently, we are looking for a location in the Aix. The host (can alternate) will get the class free of charge.

How much is the class?
For this introductory class, I am charging 60 euros (15 euros per each session).

For more information, contact Gary Saunders.

The 10 Top Benefits For Children Learning The Guitar

There are many benefits for children taking guitar lessons.  I have identified the top 10 why choosing the guitar for your child may be one of the best decisions you could ever make.

1) Better intellectual capacity
Besides helping your child get a better grade in music class, learning the guitar can help your child improve grades in other subjects as well.  Many studies have shown that students who play music have generally higher test and IQ scores than students who aren’t musical. If you’re past your school years, countless other studies have proven that practicing musicians of any age are more alert, which can lead to better memory retention.

2) Boost of confidence 
It can be extremely daunting finding out what to say to someone you are attracted too. What better way to boost your ego and calm your nerves than talk about your guitar playing abilities.

3) Physical benefits 
We all know playing guitar is an arm and a hand workout, but if you get your feet stomping along as well, you might be able to forego the treadmill.

4) Sense of accomplishment 
While the guitar can have some of the simplest melodies to learn, it also features extremely complex arrangements. Challenging yourself to learn a difficult piece and then completing it is like very few other feelings in the world.

5) Develops discipline and patience 
No one can pick up a guitar and sound like Eric Clapton or John Williams right away. Taking hours of time and practice before even making yourself listenable is a task in and of itself. By learning the guitar, the discipline and patience required are skills that you will find carry over into other parts of your life.

6) Connecting with others

 Being one of the most popular instruments, it isn’t too difficult finding others to jam with. Whether it’s a close friend, local guitar workshop, or an impromptu street session, learning a couple chord progressions will allow you to play the guitar with anyone regardless of their skill level.

7) Get Your Emotion’s Out 

Feeling down? Play some blues. Feeling angry? Create a furious solo. If you are head over heals in love: play some melodic chords or phrases. The guitar is one of the best tools to release your emotions. Especially for introverts who have a difficult time expressing themselves.

8) Getting Started is Simple and Inexpensive

The cost of a beginner guitar is relatively inexpensive (100 -200 dollars or euros) compared to most instruments. The cost of lessons varies, but you can find lessons at reasonable prices individual and less for a group class.

9) Relieves Stress 

It doesn’t take very long to learn a few chords and put together a song. Playing guitar is an easy way to relieve stress and these simple chords can help take your mind off any troubles you might have.

10) Create Your Own Style 

The versatility of the guitar allows you to create your own style and not be abided by certain styles of playing. Funk, alternative, metal, Flamenco, jazz, soft rock, the list goes on and on for the different styles you can play. It’s not uncommon for people to bridge many genres together to create their own style of guitar playing.

Now that you have settled back into the school routine, there's never a better time to learn the guitar.

Guitar Workshops Will Be Offered This Summer

I am happy to announce I will be giving guitar workshops this summer starting in July.

Introduction to Guitar for Children ages 6-10
July 6th through July 8th,

I will be doing a workshop at Kid et Sens, located on Bd Victor Coq, in Aix-en-Provence on Monday, July 6, Tuesday, July 7th, and Wednesday, July 8th from 11-12. This workshop is very reasonably priced.  For more information and registration, contact Kid et Sens at 04.42.64.11.86.

Register soon as there is only a couple of spaces left.

Advanced Beginner Guitar (Teens and Adults)
July 6th, 8th, and possibly the 10th

This is for those who have basic knowledge of chords and strums and are ready to take the next step.  We will be using popular songs as a basis for learning new chords and strums that will be enjoyable as well as educational.

This class will be held at a private home in Ventabren.  Each session will last 2 hours from 3-5pm.

If you would like to take individual lessons or are interested in group lessons, you can email or call me.

New workshop in July / Nouveau Stage en juillet à Aix-en-Provence

Besides my private one to one guitar classes, this July I will be offering courses for those new to the guitar and classes for those who have had some experience who are beginning/intermediate.

Guitar Initiation for children from 10 to 14:
This class will meet for an hour and a half on July 15, 16, 17, and 18 from 10 -11:30.  It will include simple finger positions, beginning chords and basic strums.  In the three days, the students will learn several songs and be set to continue studying the guitar in the fall.

Beginning /Intermediate Guitar
This class is for those students who know some basic chords and strums, who want to take their playing skills to a higher level quickly.  It will meet for three days for 3 hours a day.  We will cover areas including "How To Jam," "Improvisation Made Easy," "More Sophisticated Strums," and "More Interesting  Chords."  The students will learn several new songs of which they can apply these skills.  The class will meet July 15, 16, 17, and 18 from 2pm to 4pm for children (10 to 14 years-old)  and from 6pm to 8pm for adults.

The classes will be given in Aix, although the exact location has not been determined at this time.  The space is limited to a maximum of six students per class and will be given in English and French.
Fees for each workshop to be paid at the time of the enrollment: garyguitarist@ yahoo.com
The Guitar Initiation is 80 euros.
Beginning/Internediate is 120 euros.

En plus de mes cours particuliers individuels, je propose en juillet un stage de guitare pour les débutants et ceux qui ont un niveau débutant/intermédiaire:

Initiation pour enfants de 10 à 14 ans:
Cette classe aura lieu les 15, 16, 17 et 18 juillet, de 10h à 11h30: positions des doigts simples, accords débutants et rythmes de base. En trois jours, les participants apprendront plusieurs chansons et seront prêts à enchainer sur des cours réguliers à la rentrée s'ils le souhaitent.

Débutant/intermédiaire:
Cette classe est destinée à tous ceux possédant déjà les accords et rythmes de base.  Nous nous rencontrerons pendant trois jours deux heures par jour: les 15, 16, 17, et 18 juillet de 14h à 16h pour les enfants (10 à 14 ans) et de 18h à 20h pour adultes.
Nous verrons comment faire un "jam", comment improviser, différents rythmes plus élaborés, et davantage d'accords sophistiqués. Les participants pourront appliquer tout cela à travers différentes musiques et chansons.

Les classes auront lieu à Aix, mais le lieu exact reste à préciser.
Classes limitées à 6 participants, et seront données en Français et en Anglais.
Prix pour chaque stage, à réguliers à l' inscription:
Pour l'initiation: 80 euros
Pour débutant/intermédiaire: 120 euros
Pour s'inscrire, prenez contact par mail: garyguitarist@yahoo.com