6 Essential Steps for Giving Guitar Lessons to Kids

If you are planning to give guitar lessons to children, decide what type of lessons to teach, choose a curriculum, advertise your services, assess the level and capacity of your student, prepare a lesson plan, and schedule a recital.

Some children show potential or interest in playing musical instruments even at a young age, and oftentimes parents readily give their support. Offering to teach guitar lesson to kids might be a good idea especially if you consider your playing skills advanced or intermediate. Here are the things you can do if you are interested in giving guitar lessons to children:

Decide what type of lessons to teach

It will be best if you teach something from your personal experience and interests. If you are better at playing the acoustic guitar, then offer acoustic guitar lessons. If you have previous experience playing the electric guitar, then you can choose to provide electric guitar lessons.

Choose a curriculum

You will need to set a curriculum for your students. A curriculum will help you manage your time well and will also make it easier to link musical theory with practical application. There are many resources that you can use as the basis for your program. Try looking on the Internet or in music shops for books on guitar playing.

Advertise your services

The cheapest and easiest way to advertise your services is to use word of mouth. Tell your family, friends and acquaintances to refer you to potential clients. You could also talk with music teachers and professors to ask if they can recommend you to students that show potential or interest in playing the guitar. Other forms of advertising you can use include sending out fliers near schools or public places, posting a classified ad in your local paper and advertising on local radio programs.

Assess the level and capacity of your student

Begin your lessons by assessing the playing level of your student. You can do this by talking with the children during the first day or discussing it with their parents. Ask if the kids have had previous experience playing the guitar or any other instrument. You can also ask the reason why the kids decided to take guitar lessons.

Prepare a lesson plan

A lesson plan will help you systematize your classes and track your student’s progress. Additionally, it will let your students know what they can expect from each lesson. The lesson plan can be made to look like a calendar with spaces on each date where important notes can be written down. Give a copy to your student and keep one for yourself. Write notes after each session on the progress of your student and other important details.

Schedule a recital

A recital can help boost your students’ morale and give them an objective for the end of the lessons. You can set a recital date once you think that your students are all ready to perform. The event can be held at a local church or auditorium. Plan the program ahead of time and encourage your students to invite their family and friends.

Unlike teaching in a school or formal institution, private guitar lessons do not require licensing or formal training. Just as long as you have the time, patience and talent to share, this venture could prove to be rewarding.