🎸 YOU BOOKED A GUITAR LESSON — NOW WHAT?
You did it! You booked a guitar intro lesson and now you might be wondering what to expect and how to prepare.
Let’s walk through a few key things to make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running come lesson time.
🎯 This Isn’t an Audition
You’re new to the guitar. Nobody expects you to be Jimi Hendrix, and it’s totally normal to feel a little nervous.
If you’ve played before, your teacher might ask you to play a bit, but that’s just to get a feel for where you’re at — not to judge your skills.
🎶 What’s the First Lesson All About?
Great question! Every teacher and school runs things differently, but here at I.R. Guitar Lessons, the free intro lesson is exactly that — a real lesson. No sales pitch. No pressure. No “consultation” vibe.
You’ll spend a few minutes chatting with your teacher about:
Your musical background (if any),
The kind of music you love,
Your goals with the guitar.
Then it’s straight into playing! Expect to leave having made real progress and a plan for what comes next.
🎸 What Do I Need to Bring?
If you already have a guitar — whether it’s yours, borrowed, or inherited — bring it! Also bring along any music, books, or materials you’ve been using.
Electric players: No need to bring an amp — we’ve got plenty at the studio.
No guitar yet? No problem! We have instruments available for in-lesson use, and we offer free student rentals so you can practice at home.
👨🏫 What Should I Look for in a Guitar Teacher?
It all starts with connection. You want someone you click with — someone you’re comfortable spending time with regularly. A teacher who gets you.
From there, look for someone who:
Has both playing and teaching experience.
Understands your goals and can create a plan tailored to your style, level, and musical interests.
Specializes in the styles you want to learn — whether that’s classical, jazz, folk, metal, or indie rock.
❓ Which Questions Should I Ask?
Here are a few great things to ask your teacher during or after your first lesson:
What’s your experience with teaching and performing?
What styles of music do you enjoy teaching most?
What should I focus on in my practice this week?
Where are my strengths and what should I work on?
How does scheduling work? What’s the pricing?
Getting clarity on these questions will help you feel confident moving forward.
💬 What Should I Share With My Teacher?
Be open! Your teacher wants to help you get where you want to go. Tell them:
What kinds of music you love.
Whether you want to sing and play, solo, join a band, or just jam with friends.
Any past musical experience (even if it’s just singing in the car).
Pro tip: Come with a “guitar playlist” — 10–15 songs that make you want to pick up your instrument. It’s a great way to help your teacher understand your musical identity.
✅ What Should I Leave With?
By the end of your intro lesson, you should walk away with:
A sense of the basics and what to practice.
Clarity on where you’re starting from (and where to go next).
Confidence in your teacher’s ability to guide you.
Excitement to keep learning!
First lessons are like a test drive — a chance to see what learning guitar feels like and whether it’s a good fit with your teacher. Not every match will be perfect, and that’s okay. Trust your instincts — you might not be a guitar expert (yet), but you know what kind of learning environment works for you.
📍 Bay Area Locals — Come Jam With Us!
If you’re in the Bay Area and looking to get started, I.R. Guitar Lessons always has room for new students. Your first lesson is free — just bring your curiosity and we’ll take care of the rest.
Happy practicing!