Currently, I am in the process of setting myself up to give guitar lessons.  With over ten years of experience (as well as teaching for some time during college), I feel that I have something to offer people who want to start playing.  My technique may be different from what people are used to, however.

When people take lessons, really for anything, they are looking at an end result.  A swimmer has goals to swim faster and longer.  A golfer want to improve their swing and ball placement.  A students want to earn a degree.  A guitarist want to play songs.  These are all products, and this is not what I am trying to create.

My philosophy behind teaching is more process than anything else.  People are constantly learning on all levels.  By taking lessons, people are getting help along the way.  This technique does not necessarily state an overall goal, but rather smaller goals along the way.  It also implies that the process does not end.  By doing so the student will constantly be learning and (hopefully) making the most of every step.

A friend of mine who gives pitching lessons said he takes the same approach with his players.  Every step builds on prior steps.  There is a constant process of learning.  The product is really where they are at that point of time rather than an ending point.

Process over product can be applied on all sorts of levels.  By focusing on the process, we can produce a better outcome every time we perform.  If a recording artist never improves in what they play, fans generally get bored and move on.

I have yet to give a lesson as of recent, but this will be my approach.  Find out where the student is in their process, helping them as much as I can, and then give the resources to continue to learn.  Simple as that.