Taking lessons with a qualified guitar teacher offers tons of benefits for the beginner and experienced player alike - but how do you go about picking the right one? To find the right guitar teacher for you, you need to know how to narrow down your choices in an intelligent way. 

Read on to find out how you can make this process as quick and easy as possible.

What To Look For In Your Guitar Teacher

Most people choose to get guitar lessons from a particular instructor simply because they live close by. While this certainly scores some convenience points, choosing a teacher based on location alone doesn't guarantee a good fit. You need to do some homework first! To make an informed decision (especially when trying to choose between multiple teachers), you need to ask the right questions. Here are our question suggestions:

Tell me a little bit about yourself. Not absolutely necessary, but some people like to know a little bit about the PERSON, rather than the TEACHER, before they commit to them. If you find you have a lot in common (or don't), it could make your final decision a no-brainer.

How long have you been playing? Nobody wants a guitar teacher that's only been playing for a year. How long your teacher has been playing is a solid indicator of their ability - though it certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Different people develop at different rates and one teacher that has been playing for 5 years may be more competent than another playing for 10. Nevertheless, it's good to get an idea of your teacher's playing experience.

How long have you been teaching? This question seems similar to the previous one, but it another animal entirely. Just because a person has been playing guitar for 10 years doesn't mean they know how to teach it. By finding out how long your instructor has been working with students, you can get a feel for his ability to communicate information to you. Be wary of any teachers who have been offering lessons for less than a year.

Do you have any formal education or training? How did your teacher reach their current level of musical proficiency? Do they have a degree? Did they take lessons themselves? Are they self-taught? If so, what approach did they use and what sources of information helped them the most? This question helps you build a clear picture of your instructor's qualifications and abilities. 

Who are your biggest musical influences? Who does your teacher love to listen to? Which musicians had the biggest impact on their playing? If you are a fan of death metal but your instructor's biggest influence is Kenny Rogers, there may be a problem. On the flip side, if you and your potential teacher share the same musical likes and dislikes there's a good chance you'll get along during one-on-one lesson time!

What is your greatest strength as a guitarist? If you are looking to build your skills as a lead guitarist, but your teacher feels most proficient laying down rhythm, this could affect the value you receive from guitar lessons. See if you can find a teacher who's strengths match your musical goals. 

What type of guitar do you teach? Pretty straight-forward: If you want to learn bass guitar, there's no use in wasting your time with a teacher who feels most comfortable with an acoustic in his hands. 

Where are the lessons given? This is a pretty important point that can make or break the connection between a student and teacher. Many teachers are willing to travel to their students' houses, while others prefer the student to visit their home studio. Some who do travel require extra money to cover gas, while others will pay out of their own pockets. Teachers are usually flexible and willing to work something out that benefits both parties.

When are you available for lessons? If you work a 9-5 job or go to school, it does no good to work with a teacher that can only offer daytime lessons. Find an instructor whose hours and availability mesh well with your own weekly schedule.

What is your cancellation policy? Even if you don't anticipate breaking any appointments, things happen. What happens if you (or even the teacher) might have to cancel a week's lesson unexpectedly? Many teachers require some form of advanced notice and are willing to re-schedule the lesson, but some may require unconditional payment. Find out!

How much do lessons cost, and how do you prefer payment? Here's the big one! Though many people choose a guitar teacher based on price alone, we've left it as the last question for a reason - mainly, if you've found a teacher whose answers to the previous questions have impressed you, price is a moot point. Nevertheless, find out how much you'll be shelling out and how your teacher prefers payment. Almost all accept cash, usually paid in advance or before/after the lesson. Now's also a time to see if your teacher offers any special discounts or offers (first lesson free, buy 1 month-get one lesson free, etc). 

Pulling The Trigger

If you've made it through these questions, you should have an excellent lead on the perfect guitar teacher. All that's left to do is schedule the first lesson and see for yourself! No matter how an instructor answers these questions, you simply won't know for sure until you meet them in person and spend some strumming time with them.