The method is called The Foley Method. I created the method myself and so I named it that. I seriously couldn’t come up with a better name. I could have called it the “Better way to learn guitar aside from getting a cruel, dull, and sadistic teacher method” or the “Trust me folks this is an easier method” method. Sometimes you pick an easy name and move on. At this time, I actually have other teachers across the country who are interested in using this method and some who already ARE using it. Kudos to them.
The method is simple. We start out with the first lesson as a quick intro to parts, direction and chords and then one song using chords. So the student starts out within the first lesson learning five things: the fingers (1, 2, 3, and 4 of the left hand – if you are a righty), all the parts of the guitar, direction on guitar (whats up and whats down with strings and frets), then it’s memorizing the strings and then a few chords. And when I leave (or any teacher who uses this method), the student should be able to play a song using full chords.
How the method is done is very important. I (as the teacher) go back and forth making sure everything is memorized. And I spend at least 10 minutes making sure the strings are memorized. Example: After going over the very first subject (the fingers), I go over it again to make sure it is memorized. After going into the second subject (the parts of the guitar), I go over the first part again (fingers) and then the second part (parts of the guitar). After going into the third part (direction), I go over the first part again (fingers) and then the second part (parts of the guitar), and then the third part again (direction). Then the strings are next and guess what? Yep. I go over everything from beginning to end. And I go fast. Very fast. Not too fast for someone who is struggling but as fast as the student can go. So, if the student gets it all and understands ow to read and play the chords, then we learn “Stand By Me.” I would say in all honesty that I have gotten 75% of all my students to learn and understand at least four chords using all the strings in the first lesson. Once again, if someone struggles, I slow down and we go over it again and again even using other examples and ways to look at it so they understand. I have had a very small percentage of people who don’t get it right away but after a few more lessons they all get it. The important thing about the method is: believing people can do it and telling them this often, having them memorize basics (fingers, parts, direction, strings and some intro chords) right away, going over back and forth from beginning to end (last part of first lesson) over and over until it’s all memorized, and actually explaining a few interesting details along the way (like a few historical points about the guitar and how things got their names). It may sound like guitar boot-camp but I make it easy and fun.
Some teachers would like you to learn theory on one string at a time. I’m not ignoring this (learning theory), but why would you torture yourself by starting guitar lessons this way when you could have a more positive experience in the beginning playing songs using full chords. As my students learn and as we go along, I sprinkle theory and detailed explanation of it all. I do an exercise where the student learns all the notes on every fret. One of my students is at that point now after a few months of guitar (because he is learning super fast). The average student gets to hat point after four to six months. But think about this, don’t you want to play music? Do you want to sing and play guitar? Don’t you want a fun, cool, awesome experience or one for your child? Or do you want to learn theory on one string at a time for many months? If you are the latter, than I am not for you. But if you want it all and you want to start with fun and music playing full chords right away using my method, than contact me.