The Importance of Technical Exercises

Technical exercises, scales, and etudes are essential tools that guitar teachers use to improve a student’s physical and mental abilities to play the guitar. These exercises are often structured in method books that teachers follow or adapt based on the student’s needs. In one-on-one lessons, these exercises are tailored to the individual student’s condition, making them a key component of personalized instruction. During the teaching process, real examples from classical guitar literature are used to illustrate the techniques being learned. Experienced guitar teachers carefully select pieces that meet several criteria: they must be within the student’s ability, incorporate the technique being studied, be musically interesting, and motivate the student. The goal is not just to teach how to play specific pieces, but to develop the overall ability to play the guitar and understand music.

The Role of Scales and Exercises

Technical exercises and scales are designed to improve the mechanics of guitar playing. They help students analyze situations occurring in both hands, developing the ability to choose logical and anatomically reasonable fingerings. This approach applies to any piece of music at a mechanical level. Experienced guitarists often notice a certain logic in finger placement and movement; technical exercises aim to refine this logic. While many standard patterns work in most cases, there are exceptions that require experience to navigate. Learning scales, etudes, and technical exercises is a necessary step in acquiring the essential guitar technique.

A Common Misconception

Some believe that technical skills can be developed solely by playing pieces and songs. While this idea is appealing, it is often impractical. The goals of composing pieces and the goals of creating exercises are fundamentally different. Imagine trying to learn English by reading Shakespeare without any background in grammar or vocabulary. It would be overwhelming and likely lead to frustration and failure. Similarly, without a structured approach to developing technique, most students would struggle to make progress. Effective education requires a methodical system that helps the majority of students, not just the naturally talented, reach a satisfactory level of skill.

The Value of Methodical Learning

When it comes to teaching guitar, discussing talent is less relevant. Talent, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who has a natural ability to be good at something, especially without being taught.” In the context of education, courses are designed for everyone, not just the talented. Talented students might succeed even with poor instruction, but a good educational system ensures that all students, regardless of talent, can achieve success. Therefore, relying on playing pieces alone to develop technique only benefits the naturally gifted, while others are left behind.

The Non-Academic Teaching Environment

Private guitar teachers often work in a non-academic environment without oversight from an academic body. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with different goals and motivations. Some may want to learn step by step, others might take lessons for fun, and some might want to learn specific songs, like a Metallica piece on classical guitar. In certain cases, using a piece that the student enjoys, regardless of its difficulties, can be a powerful motivator. However, this is more of a pedagogical strategy to achieve specific goals rather than a routine practice. Teachers constantly seek new ways to make learning approachable and effective.

The Teacher’s Perspective

As a guitar teacher, my primary goal is to help you become a good guitarist as quickly as possible. If I could give you a “guitar injection” to instantly make you skilled, I would! But since that doesn’t exist, technical exercises, scales, and methodical practice are the best ways to develop your abilities. Although these exercises might seem boring, they are crucial for your growth as a musician. Remember, your success is as important to me as it is to you, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way.