The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > PLAY and Write

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 06-23-2009, 07:41 PM
DVGuy DVGuy is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,765
Default Help! Giving lessons is making me play less guitar.

I have gotten to the place in my life where I am giving more guitar lessons than I am spending time playing, and I am starting to lose the joy of playing for the fun of it.

Can anyone give me some advice, because I think my instruction is starting to suffer a bit as a result. How can I get the magic and wonder back?

Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-23-2009, 08:46 PM
ljguitar's Avatar
ljguitar ljguitar is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: wyoming
Posts: 42,556
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DVGuy View Post
...Can anyone give me some advice, because I think my instruction is starting to suffer a bit as a result. How can I get the magic and wonder back?
Hi DVg...
Teach less (learn to say 'No, I don't have anymore times right now.')

Play more for your own pleasure.

I keep 6-8 students who only come every other week or once a month. So I'm only tied down 3-4 times a week. And I quit taking beginners and only take intermediate or advanced fingerstyle students.

Being selective keeps me happier, and playing for fun.

I also have a gigging partner and a weekly gig at a coffee house, and a Worship Team that I play in on weekends. All that keeps me interacting with musicians more on a peer-to-peer than student-teacher interaction.
__________________

Baby #1.1
Baby #1.2
Baby #02
Baby #03
Baby #04
Baby #05

Larry's songs...

…Just because you've argued someone into silence doesn't mean you have convinced them…
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-24-2009, 03:59 AM
Sordello Sordello is offline
Was Sceptical. Unsure now
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Canuck Down Under in Oz
Posts: 2,405
Default

Maybe do something to break the 'commerce' connection - students paying money for your guitar time. Try a solo concert at a retirement home, or children's ward at the hospital (if you can play Polly Wolly Doodle?), and re-establish the connection inside yourself between the joy of playing the guitar and the gift that music is when you play for others and make them happy.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-24-2009, 08:19 AM
DVGuy DVGuy is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,765
Default

Thanks. I think you are both right. The lure sometimes, when you need money to do life stuff, just gets in the way of enjoyment.

I appreciate the reponse. Sometimes, simple things are not simple when they are happening to you personally.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-27-2009, 02:18 PM
Ryler Ryler is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,643
Default

DVGuy,

My son's guitar teacher told us this week that he sat and played for his own enjoyment this week for an hour. He loved it and apparently it's a rare thing for him. When asked what he usually did with guitar through the week, he said he prepared lessons, that's all. He does play each week for his church, but as far as just for his own self--I guess not. So you're not alone.

Now when he asks me son if he played through the week, I'm going to turn the question around on him! I hope you're able to make time.
__________________
Larrivee OO-05
Larrivee OM-03R
Eastman AC308
Pono OO-20
Pono OP-30DC
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-28-2009, 10:13 PM
RickI RickI is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 679
Default

hm Ive never had to be in that situation... never having taught anyone anything...

and I dont gig, and I dont play out, no one listens to me play..

I do the whole thing... for the last 40 years.. just because I like the way it feels..


I have no words of wisdom here..

But, I understand why you miss it...


Rick
__________________
Seagull Artist Mosaic
Seagull Artist Studio CW
'73 Martin D-35
Larrivee LV09E
2008 Standard Stratocaster
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-29-2009, 05:14 AM
815C 815C is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Hills Of Tennessee
Posts: 4,096
Default

I used to teach 3 nights a week, had 28 students (10 of which were in a single class), and each one was on a different musical path & level. This was in addition to having a day job. After a few years of this I started to get burned out.

I cut back to my 8 best students, limited my teaching to one night each week, and raised my price.

I actually find that teaching enhances my playing. As I'm forced to describe and explain different aspects of music & guitar, I find that I learn a great deal and continue to have cool revelations about guitar playing.

Also, when my students want to learn a style I haven't previously explored (e.g hybrid picking/country Tele) I find myself stretched in a good way as I learn myself in order to teach.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > PLAY and Write

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=