How to choose a guitar teacher - What nobody tells you.
So you’ve decided to learn guitar. Amazing decision! But now comes the bit nobody warns you about - finding the right teacher. There's so many teachers advertising online, it’s hard to know where to start. Here’s what actually matters.
Qualifications are great. Experience is better. You need both.
A formal music education matters - It means your teacher understands theory, technique and musicianship at deep level. But qualifications alone don’t make a great teacher.
Look for someone who has actually played - live performances, session work, real stages. A tutor who has performed professionally understands music from the inside out, and that comes through in every lesson.
Are they teaching you - or just following a script?
The best teachers don’t use a one-size-fits-all curriculum. Your lessons should be built around your goals, your favourite bands and at your pace - Not a rigid programme designed for the average student.
make sure to ask your tutor how they would structure their lessons for what you want to achieve on guitar.
Patience isn’t optional - its essential
Learning guitar can be frustrating, especially in the early weeks/months. A great teacher makes that frustration feel temporary and manageable. A poor one makes you feel like giving up.
Tutors who have reviews are your best bet, and if you see that they’re patient and encouraging, that’s not a coincidence - that’s their teaching style.
Always ask for a trial lesson
Any confident, experienced teacher will offer a free taster lesson before you commit. It’s your chance to see if the chemistry is right. Ask questions and get a genuine feel for how they teach.
If a tutor won’t offer a trial lesson - walk away.
Online or in-person?
Both work brilliantly when taught well, and in fact the vast majority of lessons here at Launchpad Guitar have been via online lessons for the past 6 years, with students progressing from complete beginners to playing full songs within weeks.
Online lessons offer flexibility and mean geography is no barrier, while in-person lessons work great for hands-on guidance.
The best tutors offer both - so you’re never limited by location or schedule.
Ready to find your perfect guitar teacher?
At Launchpad Guitar, Andy David offers online guitar lessons to students across the UK via Google Meet, as well as mobile in-person lessons across Chelmsford, Maldon, Witham and the surrounding Essex areas - travelling directly to you.
With over 15 years of teaching experience, a degree from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance and a background in professional performance, every lesson is tailored entirely to you - your goals, your styles, your pace.
And yes, the first lesson is always free. No pressure, no commitment.