Around The Neck

In the United States there is no national certification for guitar teachers. Looking at other countries (i.e. Canada or the U.K.), there are very specific requirements for guitar teaching, especially in the classical world. However, the classical world need not be the only genre where certification can be beneficial. We must first address the problems and then address the benefits for students and teachers alike.

There are basically two types of guitar teachers, those trained on a university level and those not. One is not better than the other. When it comes to teaching the non-university teacher might be more qualified to teach than the university student due to a natural teaching inclination. Throughout my time at the university I had one class of three credits in order to teach me how to teach (pedagogy). The rest of my classes were devoted to performing and musical understanding. My schooling gave me the knowledge but not the “know how” to become a successful teacher. Therefore, certification must include these two perspective types of teachers. One must be educated on the fundamentals of music or where their lacking musical training will cause hindrance in their teaching. The other must be educated on the fundamentals of good teaching practices. Of course, there will be any number of people that fall between these two areas in varying degrees. Certification can help teachers fill in the gaps and raise the level of expertise.

With a fully developed teaching certification there are obvious benefits to the student and teacher alike. The teacher will be assured that perspective students will know and trust in his/her expertise in guitar and music training. This is a common problem with teachers in an area due to the great fact that someone who knows enough guitar to play fairly well can through up an advertisement and charge a minimal amount to teach students. However, there is no guarantee that this teacher is really worth the money. They may be able to teach some licks but do not have the depth needed to produce effective results from each student. Certification will allow a teacher to advertise and charge according to their certified skill level freeing them from worry of being undercut by “fly by night” teachers that are just trying to make a buck until their recording contract comes in.

This idea works in tandem with the student’s benefits. The student will know and be willing to pay for a teacher that has been certified to teach effectively. The student will know that when paying for a lesson they are getting top level instruction from a qualified teacher.

In conclusion, there is a great need for certification in the guitar community. You would never go to a doctor or therapist to deal with your problems that is not certified to practice in those fields. You can get advice from a friend but that does not mean that it is sound or has research backing their advice. Why would you want to do the same for music? If you are paying for private lessons, then would it not be beneficial to know that the teacher can not only play at an acceptable level but also be able take you to the place you want to go in your guitar playing?