Thoughts on Guitar Pedagogy and Andragogy (Part 2)

Andragogy, in simple terms is the method/approach to teaching adults.

Here is my perspective on teaching adults:

1) You don't teach adults, you guide them
2) Discuss a lot/do less during lesson
3) Help them form a repertoire set asap

1) Adults most probably already possess a certain amount of knowledge when they come to learning guitar, eg. they know some chords or licks. So instead of making start from the ultimate beginning, build and integrate what they already know, together with the basics that they need to learn.

2) Adults need to discuss key concepts with you, they need to understand what they are doing and why. Expect frequent discussions. Its better for them to grasp the concepts of the lesson and let them practice those concepts on their own.

3) Adults want to be able to have something to show to their peers asap. It's only human nature. Help them to achieve little milestones of success. They don't have time like children to go through all the technical exercises and etudes. Adults have heavy work and family commitments, so we should aim towards helping them play songs

4) I left out a point 4. Stop treating adults like children. It is really disheartening for adult learners to go through the rudimentary stuff like a child does. Play "Mary Had a Little Lamb"? Please....

Adults often will stretch you, as they will request for songs they want to learn. Embrace that, go the mile for them. They will appreciate the gesture. Help them figure out the guitar licks for Van Halen's Jump or the introduction to James Taylor's Fire and Rain. It will stretch your playing ability as well. The other way is to tell them you don't know the song. (This amounts to the very disagreeable teaching attitude that says "You learn what I teach you and NOTHING else.)

In summary, there must be a distinction between teaching adults and children. The differences are mainly in the approach and lesson structure. However, respect, patience and a commitment to help the learner should always be present in the teacher.