As well as being a highly regarded performer and teacher, Dr Bernstein also writes articles and reviews for Just Jazz Guitar and Jazz Improv magazines, and has presented papers at two International Society of Music Education conferences.

Dr. Bernstein sat down with me last week to discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching guitar in the 21st century.

MW: How did you get your start as a guitar teacher?

 BB: I first began teaching guitar while attending college.  It started with a few of my colleagues from the school wanting to take lessons with me.  I loved it immediately.  I continued to teach privately during my undergraduate degree.  When I began graduate school, I received a teaching assistantship and began teaching formally.  I realized what a positive impact I could potentially have on students as a teacher.  In graduate school I knew that I wanted to have a complimentary marriage between teaching and being a performing musician as a living.

 MW: Did any of your teachers have an influence on your private teaching approach?

 BB: All of them.  I learned as much from the bad teachers as the great ones.  The great teachers have a way of making you feel completely inspired after every lesson—even in the midst of critique.

 MW: How has going through the process of getting a DMA affected your teaching approach?  Has it changed the way you approach your teaching methods?

 BB: Pursuing my D.M.A. was an amazing experience that taught me a lot about teaching.  During the degree process, I taught a lot of classes and private students for the school.  Each semester I continued to grow as a teacher, learning and absorbing from both my mistakes from the previous semester and what I may have done right.  (I feel sorry for the students that had me my very first semester as a teacher—they were my guinea pigs).  I also took high-level classes dealing with teaching philosophies, sociology, music psychology, and pedagogical methods that helped me immensely.

 MW: In your opinion how has technology, especially the internet, changed the landscape of guitar education in recent years and where do you see it headed in the future?

 BB: There are so many resources available on the internet and they just keep growing.  Lessons, transcriptions, videos, music, live streaming—you name it, the sky is the limit to what is now available.  It is getting to the point where one does not have to travel to take a lesson with a teacher or one of their heroes; you can now have an interactive lesson with a video camera and a high-speed internet connection.  In the midst of so many resources, students must be careful not to become overwhelmed.  It is still better to take one idea and get a lot of mileage out of it, then to have ten things to learn and just barely scratch the surface on each item.  Although the internet is an extremely valuable tool, nothing can take the place of having a one on one lesson with a great teacher.

 MW: You are such an experienced and accomplished performer as well as an educator.  How has your teaching experience influenced your performing and vice-versa?

 BB: I learn as much from my students as I hope they learn from me.  Teaching helps to reinforce your methods and practices into your playing.  I am also learning the power of how both music and teaching can really have a strong impact on the growth of other people.  I believe that a large part of life is the positive impacts we make along the way—both performing and teaching can move people profoundly.

 MW: What advice do you have for people who are just starting to teach guitar?

 BB: Be patient and open-minded.  Seek knowledge from all people and sources and try not to let your ego get in the way.  Strive to be a great teacher, to make a long lasting impact on each student.  Our main goal as educators should be to enhance the love of music in each one of our students.

 MW: What advice do you have for students when they are looking for a private teacher?

 BB: Seek some great local players and ask them whom they would recommend.  Know ahead of time what you are looking for and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.  Some time the best players don’t always make the best teachers and vice-versa—(just because you don’t recognize someone’s name don’t dismiss their teaching potential).  Lastly, don’t be afraid to take a few lessons with several instructors and then decide which one is the best fit for you.  A great teacher is one of the best investments you can make in life.

 MW: Thanks for sitting down with me today.

 BB: My pleasure!