Essential:
Two amplifiers - If you teach electric guitar, you’ll need an amplifier for both you and your student. While you may not play much in your lessons, you’ll want to have it handy for when you need to demonstrate a technique.
Two chairs - This may seem obvious, but you should give a little thought to what kind of chairs you use. For students, I like a stiff folding chair with a little padding to keep their posture upright. However, since the teacher will be sitting there for hours on end and frequently pivoting from student to PC, bookshelf, etc., I recommend a softer, swiveling desk chair.
A music stand - Again, this may seem obvious, but the type of music stand should be given some thought. A flimsy, portable stand which keeps falling over will make lessons a clumsy experience for students. A sturdy, adjustable stand is best, though be careful that the screws are kept tight or the stand will begin to tilt.
A desktop computer - The myriad resources available on the internet or storable on a PC for quick reference has eliminated much of the need for sloppy, handwritten transcriptions. While a laptop is serviceable, a desktop computer with a large monitor is best for allowing students to see information pulled up on-screen.
A bookshelf - You probably have a ton of books you use for teaching guitar. Here’s a tip: having fewer books is better. For all the books you own, you probably only use a small percentage of them. To reduce clutter and time spent looking for the right book, reduce your bookshelf to only the ones you use to teach.
Copier/Printer - This goes along with the previous two items. You should be able to quickly print or copy pages from your PC or books.
A Tuner/Metronome - While there are many metronome and tuner apps available, I believe having battery-powered versions on hand is best as they can be kept on the stand and used free of other distractions.
Useful:
Zoom Recorder - I adapted this idea from my voice lessons. A little Zoom H1 recorder can be used to tape lessons that you can share with students via Dropbox. If your students are having trouble recalling lesson information, this gives them a recording to reference.
Wall Art/Decoration - Here’s an easy way to brighten you studio: ask your younger students to submit artwork of guitars and music. It’ll be a huge boost to their self-esteem to see their work framed on their teacher’s wall.
A Couch - This is a “must” if parents sit in on the lesson. Make sure to sit in it and take in the view from their perspective; parents are spending upwards of 20 hours per year there. The couch will also serve as a noise dampener to keep sound from reverberating off plaster walls and hardwood floors.
Carpeting - Speaking of dampening noise, hardwood floors and drywall can cause a lot of echo. Cut down on this with a few area rugs to cover the floor while sprucing up the welcoming look of your studio
Extra Guitar Stands - If you have your students doing any kind of writing assignments, it’s best to have a stand for them to rest their guitar on so they won’t have to lay it on the floor.
Pedal Board - Effects are just as much a part of the instrument as the guitar itself. Setting up a pedal board with a few basic effects so you can show your students how to use them will greatly aid their development.
Hole Punch - I have all my students keep their music in three-ring binders to cut down on clutter. Punch every piece of music for them and instruct to place it securely in the rings.
A bowl of Extra Picks/Extra Strings - How many times has a student shown up to a lesson without a pick or broken a string mid-lesson? I collect all the lost picks off my carpet and keep them in a jar on my desk. I also use a broken string as an opportunity to show them how to change one out.
Mirror - Sometimes a student needs to see themselves to correct posture issues. Hanging a tall mirror on the wall across from their chair allows them to check their position.
White Board - Sometimes you’ll have a teaching idea you’ll want to flesh out quickly without wasting paper; a whiteboard is a great tool for this. You can also use it to write jokes or questions of the day!
Bonus:
Recording Equipment - If you teach songwriting or any of your students fancy themselves writers, it would be great if you had some equipment on hand to capture their ideas.
Additional Instruments - If you can play any other instruments, it would be wonderful to have a few available to accompany your students and give them a more realistic live playing experience.
Awards/Recognition/Progress Board - Students love to have their achievements recognized. Writing their accomplishments on a board will boost their sense of progress through public recognition.
This months post was by guest blogger Chris Primeau. Chris is a guitar teacher based out of Austin, Texas. You can learn more about him at Austin Guitar Lessons.
