Elements of Teaching
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Instrumental teaching is a very diverse subject, due to the vast amount of different instruments and their individual techniques, teaching methods, even the pupils themselves can vary drastically in style according to their musical tastes, meaning that there is no concrete way of describing 'how to teach'. But there are definite elements of teaching that are consistent to all styles of guitar tutelage.
Beginning with making sure the student's posture is as efficient as possible would be the best place to start. Finding a comfortable way to hold the guitar (with a straight back) whilst retaining an efficient picking hand position (with wrist reaching the guitar at an angle of around 45, and plectrum at a right angle to the strings for maximised sound production and clarity) is paramount it will help ward off (or prevent completely) injuries such as back ache or, in far more extreme cases, carpal tunnel syndrome. Electric/contemporary guitar players may wish to attach a strap to their guitar for support, whilst classical players may use a footstool to elevate the guitar's neck (although this practice has been deemed slightly damaging to the spine the safer option is resting the curve of the guitar on the back of the right leg [for right handed guitarists left leg for left-handers] to bring the neck nearer the guitarist).
Breathing, to many, would seem unimportant from a guitarist's perspective after all, it is played with the hands, not the mouth! However, in order to keep the hand muscles from getting tired out, it is important to retain a regular, deep breathing pattern. The circulation of air keeps the muscles moving which is why you may hear a guitarist taking a deep breath before or during a particularly taxing run!
Teaching contemporary guitar involves a lot more than simply teaching how to play the instrument. It involves the many outside aspects of getting the guitar to produce a sound through an amplifier...