Learning to play the guitar

[Mom of teen]

My teenage son wants to learn the guitar, but not sure what kind of guitar to start with --  acoustic? electric? classical? 

Also, can anyone recommend a guitar teacher who can provide private lessons? We are near the Bukit Timah/Holland Village area.

[guitar]

mine just started with yamaha at clementi. there's another school in turf city. they both offer 1-on-1 sessions. you'll probably be advised to start with classical, if there's no prior experience, but better talk to the teacher.

[Teen = Rock]

Your teen wants to lean guitar so he can play songs that he likes! Let him start with electric. If he is really interested, he can segue into acoustic a little further down the musical road. It's got to be fun or he won't enjoy it/make the most of it!

[Teen = Rock]

I forgot to mention that we used Yamaha to get started. After the basics, it is really all practice that makes perfect. Does your teen know how to read music? If not, it is not too difficult to learn. Useful for writing those award winning songs!

[Mom of teen]

Thanks all.  Great to know Yamaha has branches besides the one at Plaza Singapura. Clementi and Turf City are much easier for us to get to.

I also discovered on the web that electric guitars are supposed to be easier to learn and play.  So I guess electric it is then. 

[we went here]

We used Christorfi for guitar lessons for our daughter as they were one of the best value that I found.  The teacher was really good but unfortunately our daughter didn't take to playing so she's given it up now. 

The one we went to was at Funan but they have other branches.

[eric clapton]

Here's my take - find an independent teacher that'll come to you. That will make life much easier and flexible, rather then signing up for lessons at a school where timings are much more rigid and it's harder to postpone a lesson if something comes up.

Also, ask some questions about how the lessons will be taught. Find a tutor that won't obsess over theory, scales and reading the music. Instead, find one that'll get your son playing something quickly - it's so much more rewarding to be playing a song you know and like within a couple of weeks. When I started lessons a couple of years ago, my tutor asked me what sort of music I liked, and then came up with a couple of easy tunes to play to get me started. It was lots of fun to learn to play something I really knew and enjoyed rather than some guitar lesson standard. Seeing some results early in the process is key to making further progress.

Finally, if your son doesn't have a preference, I'd recommend starting with acoustic. It gives a much better grounding in technique than electric and it's much easier to make the transition from acoustic to electric than the other way round.

[Mom of teen]

Here's my take - find an independent teacher that'll come to you. That will make life much easier and flexible, rather then signing up for lessons at a school where timings are much more rigid and it's harder to postpone a lesson if something comes up.

Also, ask some questions about how the lessons will be taught. Find a tutor that won't obsess over theory, scales and reading the music. Instead, find one that'll get your son playing something quickly - it's so much more rewarding to be playing a song you know and like within a couple of weeks. When I started lessons a couple of years ago, my tutor asked me what sort of music I liked, and then came up with a couple of easy tunes to play to get me started. It was lots of fun to learn to play something I really knew and enjoyed rather than some guitar lesson standard. Seeing some results early in the process is key to making further progress.

Finally, if your son doesn't have a preference, I'd recommend starting with acoustic. It gives a much better grounding in technique than electric and it's much easier to make the transition from acoustic to electric than the other way round.

Thanks for your advice.  The problem is we're in Singapore and I get the feeling we will have a pretty narrow range of available teachers. 

If anyone knows of a teacher with the above qualifications, please post it here!!!  Thanks!

[Elec vs Acoustic]

Electric is easier to learn than acoustic. For a start you need much less finger pressure on the strings. Acoustic is more social as you can play anywhere and entertain a group of friends.

[eric clapton]

I found my teacher by googling Singapore Guitar Lessons...the first hit from that is a kind of matchmaking service. They have a list of independent tutors -- tell them your location and when you want the lessons, and they'll try to find a suitable teacher.

Can be hard, though, to find one who's available on a weekend. I ended up with a tutor who could only do Tuesdays at 830!

[cost]

The school my son goes to cost $80 per month (4 half hour lessons), does this compare with someone coming to your house?  It's for acoustic guitar...

[eric clapton]

I pay $40 an hour, which works out exactly the same as $80 for 4 half hour lessons.

It's good value - one to one tuition, in my home, with no travel hassle. Also, no problems missing a week or 2 because of vacations.

[Cost]

yes, sounds much preferable to the ridiculous set up i have at the moment.

[SAE]

yes, sounds much preferable to the ridiculous set up i have at the moment.

I agree, but PP I just did a google for that match making service but couldnt find it - can you maybe give the name or another hint

[eric clapton]

Well, I tried googling singapore guitar lessons again, and it's definitely the first hit.