So you're looking for a guitar teacher, but aren't sure where to start? Here are a few hints and tips to make the best choice.

1. A guitar teacher's ability to teach is more important than their ability to play
   
   It is important that your teacher have a decent grasp of their instrument, and a reasonable ability. But don't get too caught up in looking for blistering fast leads or extremely complex rhythms, particularly if you are only starting out yourself. By the same token, if your teacher has never taught before, be aware that they will be learning to teach just as much as you are learning to play.
2. Look for a teacher that has done what you want to do
   
   Teachers will draw on their own guitar playing experience when they teach you. If you want to learn guitar so that you can one day form or join a rock band, then you should try to find a guitar teacher who has performed live before. A guitarist who has played live will have plenty of tips and tricks to share about how they have used the material they are teaching as they go through the lessons. Similarly, if you are learning guitar to so that you can perform your own songs one day, then try to learn from a guitarist who has their own songwriting experience. They will be the ones who are best able to show you how what you are learning can apply to songs you might want to write.
3. Find somebody you can share a rapport with
   
   It's easier to learn when you have a teacher who will listen to what you say, and who you won't feel shy about playing in front of. It also helps that you're confident you know what they're talking about when they say something!
4. Teaching experience matters more than teaching qualifications
   
   Qualifications are certainly a good thing, whether in teaching, performance or in theory. The best thing about these is that they give the teacher the ability to easily articulate in words what they know about playing guitar. But the best teaching ability will come from teaching experience.
5. Don't expect your teacher to learn for you
   
   Even the best guitar teacher can't do that! You will have to practice regularly. Most of your learning will happen between lessons during your own practice time. A good teacher can make you practice "smarter", by showing you how best to use your practice time, but it's still down to you to do it.
6. Ask your teacher what style they teach best
   
   And be wary if they say "any style", because every teacher has their own natural bent.  Don't be too picky about trying to find somebody with exactly the same preferences as your own.  If you are looking to learn Rock or Pop, it is probably not so good to learn from somebody who specialises in Jazz or Classical, but you might learn well from somebody whose background is in Country and Blues.