I have been learning guitar for some months. I already read music well and understand theory as I play the piano. My technical ability on the guitar though, is not good yet.

I bought an acoustic guitar with the hope of playing some tunes I enjoyed but after a while practising chord shapes and playing from tabs, I found it wasn't very challenging. I like to play from real sheet music and think that I would like to play some classical and possibly jazz guitar.

My teacher is a real guitar polymath and interested in the whole subject, but I am not getting any homework, a book to practise with, and don't play much during the lesson. He talks about the theory and we dot about doing picking techniques one week, talking about chord shapes the next and so forth. But there's no cohesion. I have a friend whose guitar teacher just demonstrates his (wonderful) talent by playing riffs to the group every week! But she's not getting anywhere either.

So how do I go about choosing someone good who's going to give me direction? Are there specific questions I should ask of a guitar teacher so I get the right one?

Thanks

I think that it is a good policy to ask the potential teacher if he or she puts pupils through grade exams, and with what results if they do. Make it clear what your aims and ambitions are and book a consultation lesson or two to see what format the lessons take. Also ask around to see if you can find the best teachers in your area.

Have you actually discussed with your teacher how you feel? He may have perfectly valid reasons for doing the things he does in lessons. Instead of immediately looking for another teacher why not actually have a conversation with him?

David