Imam Mekki Ibn Abi Talib said in his book الرعاية, in the chapter of Characteristics of the one whom you recite on to and quote from, Abu Muhammad said:
"for the student of the Qur'aan, when he wants to recite, he should choose from the people of religion, one who maintains an understanding of the sciences of the Qur'aan, and also possesses strong skills in the Arabic Language (their intonation and pronunciation of the words of the Qur'aan), and has learnt from (and is recommended by) the well-known Imams in the field of the sciences of the Qur'aan".
If a person has the above qualities, his condition is perfect, and he deserves to be a Qur'aan teacher (sheikh/Imam).
The reciters of the Qur'aan are characterized by their knowledge in intonation/Tajweed. Some of them learn it with particular attention to the subtle details and perfect it at the hands of a well-versed Imam (as mentioned above). Choosing this type of Sheikh/Imam is the most ideal situation and the best person.
Others learn it by hearing, listening, and imitation, and this is the less ideal situation. This second person will find themselves easily subjected to doubt and interpolation because of their lack of understanding of the sciences of the recitation of the Qur'aan and supporting subjects.
Abu Muhammad said:
"Transmitting the Qur'aan is a sort of science that requires intelligence and experience that goes beyond just transmitting it based on hearing it, listening to it and repeating as heard".
There are situations where listening and repeating has its importance, and there are other situations where learning the details has its importance.
The best person upon whom a memorizer of the Qur'aan should choose to recite to, is the one who combines the best of both ways and deserves to be the Imam (the one onto whom a memorizer should recite).
We live in different parts of the world and have access to different types of shuyukh/Imams. The ideal situation has been described so the memorizer of the Qur'aan should strive to find the best person in his vicinity with the closest description to the Ideal person as outlined above. This recommendation should not be taken as an excuse not to find someone in-person to recite to because they do not possess all of the ideal qualities.
The source and main material used in preparing the content of this blog is the book, Ways of teaching the noble Qur'aan and memorizing it by Abu Abdrahman, Jamal ibn Ibrahim AlQirsh (طرائق تدريس القرآن الكريم وحفظه).