The timeline for this blog is now conspicuously missing February of 2019. Sometimes I wonder: “Is writing a blog worthwhile? I should be shooting video.” Years ago, people would seek out tablature of the song du jour on various websites. At this point, any student who walks into the lesson room saying: “I learned ______” or “I’ve been working on ________” was looking for the song on YouTube. As with tab websites, I still wind up saying: “Let’s correct this” or “We need to make adjustments.” Ultimately, more and more students want someone to show them. They’re not looking to read the information.
When I began teaching guitar in 1997, I sought to hide the sources of my information, believing that a student would question why they would bother with lessons when they could read the same book or magazine.
Competing with videos online is similar to competing with print: It’s out there, but people don’t necessarily understand what they’re encountering. That’s where experience speaks.
How many students (mostly adults) have said they can’t ask a screen questions?
A few people have stated I should film videos. I don’t disagree. My “go to” mindset for guitar instruction has always been to address the person sitting across from me, as necessary. Offering up a “This is a I IV V progression” or some other concept without the ability to see and hear what the student is doing with it feels lacking or incomplete.
Concepts that are important, but aren’t a how to kind of lesson on the other hand…that’s hanging in the air waiting for me to write scripts and set up cameras. I guess and written blogs will be there…at least until I can establish a studio space.
Alex Kelley 