I think of myself as someone who never stops learning, but when I sat down to write this blog post about a lesson I recently took with the great Scott Henderson, I realized I could count on one hand the number of formal lessons I've taken in the past 10 years. Lately I’ve been teaching more than ever, but I hadn’t found myself on the other side of a guitar lesson in a while.
The wonderful thing about teaching, like music, is that everyone has their own approach and concept of how they do it. I’ve learned over the years that patience is one of the most valuable tools you can possess in your educational arsenal. When you teach, you’re not just selling your musical knowledge and expertise, you’re selling yourself and your personality, and providing a relaxed and open setting will result in a more effective learning environment. It’s not just the muscle memory and the physical movement in the music, it’s also the openness and willingness to embrace and convey your truest creative self. Sometimes, it’s about helping someone find their true musical path and calling.
