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The best way to learn to play guitar is to take lessons, says Randy Vradenburg, who has played professionally and taught guitar for more than 40 years. Private lessons can get a beginner started off right, speed the learning process, and prevent bad habits that are later hard to break, says Vradenburg, who owns MyGuitar24/7 Teaching Studio in Southlake. Vradenburg, co-author of Scales Over Chords and Everything About Playing the Blues, offers these 10 tips for finding the right instructor:

1. Ask about experience. How many years has the instructor taught? Does he or she have a music degree or published works? A degree from a quality university or college speaks volumes about education and experience. But don’t stop there. Word of mouth is the best reference. Ask a friend who is taking lessons or who has a child doing so.

2. Consider the method the teacher uses. Child Bloom and Suzuki are great for some kids, but their lesson plans must be strictly followed. A student who lacks focus may need a teacher who is less structured, teaches more to the child’s personality and desires, and uses his or her own materials.

3. Keep cost in mind. Private lessons with an experienced instructor are usually between $100 and $150 per month for four half-hour lessons. (Some large music schools charge between $200 and $225 per month.)

4. Location, location, location. If you live near a teaching studio, by all means check it out, but go farther afield if you need to. Look for the best teacher, even if you have to travel a little farther.

5. Look for professional performing experience. A pro can share insights a non-player can’t.

6. Ask how long the teacher has been at the present location --- the longer, the more stable and reliable he or she is likely to be. A teacher who quits after only a few lessons can severely dampen a student’s enthusiasm.

7. A teacher should offer a free consultation. This gives the teacher an opportunity to evaluate the student and explain policies, and it gives the student (and parent) a chance to get a feel for the studio and teacher.

8. An instructor should be neat, clean and personable. The teacher and student work in close proximity, so, for example, lingering cigarette smoke on a teacher’s clothing could be offensive.

9. Look for enthusiasm. A teacher should be upbeat throughout the lesson. Enthusiasm is contagious.

10. Consider whether the instructor and the potential student seem to connect. When people hit it off, they usually do so right away.