Okay, I'm starting to think that all fingerstyle guitarists are just a little off. Thank goodness no one reads this. :) I'd hate to have my teacher know I think he's weird. Hopefully this isn't news to him, though.
But seriously, I had another first lesson with a different teacher, Rick Ruskin. This one was in Capitol Hill and a little less walking than my last one in Ballard, although both bus stops were practically at the front door of my lesson, so I'm not really complaining.
Again, the first thing I noticed was that this guy plays fingerstyle with his nails. Y'know, the funny thing is, I don't think I've ever met one of these guys in real life. The way you can tell if a person plays fingerstyle with their nails is if they have these ridiculously gross, long, witch-like fingernails. Seriously, it grosses me out. Look, I'm not Mr. Vanity here, but I would have to be the world's greatest nail fingerstylist to even CONSIDER keeping my nails that long. How can you shake anybody's hand and not get weird looks. You practically scream, "Don't ever come into my house if you want to leave alive" with those nails. Mistake #1: I entered his house...haha.
But anyway, I'm starting to think all these guys who teach are a little off. And I don't know if Rick is the best teacher. Look, he's certainly a great player, but great teachers aren't a dime a dozen. A great teacher needs patience and to be able to explain things to beginners in a way that the beginner will understand. This means that the teacher has to be able to remember what it is like to be a player of the student's skill level, which is not easy.
As most people who know me know, I don't like to be spoken down to. (There are so many things wrong with that last sentence. Move on, Quinton, move on...) And I have a hard time in one-on-one training of any kind because I feel like my intelligence is being insulted. I know the person doesn't mean to be doing that, but all the same, I feel like that's what it is. I'd rather they go too fast and I ask questions to slow down the pace if I don't understand something. As people who know me can attest to, I like to ask questions. A LOT. :)
Overall, I think I'll be going back to Rick, though. Even though I smell like his giant dog who wouldn't leave us alone, I think Rick is a very good player and a decent teacher. I think he can help me a lot, and at the least, help me improve my playing and give it some direction. While he seems to be a bit of a music snob, and I think he underestimates my natural ability, this is a good learning experience for me to be humble and patient myself. Lord knows I could use some practice in that, too. Haha.
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2 comments:
"Okay, I'm starting to think that all fingerstyle guitarists are just a little off. Thank goodness no one reads this. :) I'd hate to have my teacher know I think he's weird. Hopefully this isn't news to him, though."
I read this and I don't care one bit what you think. Do you care that I thought you were more interested in telling me what a big star you wanted to become rather than in what I was attempting to teach you about guitar?
That's a shame you feel that way, Rick, as I never once said anything about becoming "a big star." How do I know? Because my goal with music was never to become some big star, nor have I ever made such a statement to anyone.
Also, although you claim otherwise, clearly you were offended, and I truly meant no offense. I do apologize for that. But I didn't mean it in a negative way at all. If you read my tone, it was light-hearted, and I honestly do find most talented people to be somewhat eccentric, no matter what their talent is. Why should I take the time to link to your site if my point was just to mock?
But since you wanted to leave your feedback, I'll leave mine, especially since this is my blog: I never came back because a teacher/pupil relationship has to be just right, and I felt like you were not the teacher for me. You weren't personable, you were patronizing, and yes, your large dog sat in the room the whole time...I'd like to think that a teaching environment should be one where the student is comfortable, not the opposite.
So thanks for your feedback, Rick.
Good luck.
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