Back in the day, there were three main ways of learning to play the guitar. We could:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
That last one was fun but so hard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
We’d sit there, straining every sinew, listening to tracks repeatedly, and trying to work out what our guitar hero was doing. Then once we’d worked it out, we had to attempt to copy it. It was time-consuming work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
To learn the guitar these days, many people turn to the internet. But the internet offers so much, that the choice can be overwhelming. There are free courses and paid-for content. There are whole guitar schools with communities and teachers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
So how do we know where to look? What would suit us? And do we even know what we want?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This might be why research shows 90% of people<\/a> who start learning guitar give it up in the first year!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It’s a staggering statistic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So we’ve put together an article that guides you in depth through online guitar lesson options. To help you find your perfect guitar online course. And keep you in that happy 10 percent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We’ll explore whether online guitar courses are worth the money. And how to find the right format to suit our needs and ambitions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We’ll look at the essential elements of a good program and what we can expect for our money. And we’ll find out what commitment we will need to make. So we can benefit fully from the expertise that’s out there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Why Learn the Guitar?<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Can I Really Learn Guitar Completely Online?<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Free Online Guitar Lessons<\/a><\/p>\r\n Online Guitar Schools<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Are Online Guitar Courses Worth It?<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Getting Started: Choosing the Right Course<\/a><\/p>\r\n Essential Elements of a Quality Online Guitar Course<\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Tips for Success with Guitar Online Courses<\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Do I Need to Know Music Theory for a Guitar Online Course?<\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n What Next?<\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The unique appeal of the guitar lies in its versatility and expressiveness. (Plus it’s cool.)<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n A recent study<\/a> by Fender shows that 16 million people started to play guitar during the pandemic. Well, a lot of us had some spare time back then.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here are the three biggest reasons people give for wanting to play the guitar:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n (Who’s Learning the Guitar and Why?)<\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We feel it in our fingers. We feel it in our toes. Love of the guitar is all around us (as the song almost goes).<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We hear guitar music everywhere. It’s on the radio all the time and soaked into our psyche. It’s so much a part of life, that some of us might be in danger of taking the guitar for granted.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here’s why we love it:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So it’s no surprise so many people want to learn to play the guitar. And the most popular way of learning guitar these days is through online resources (Statista)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The online music education market is likely to reach a market size of US$3,700.084 million by 2028. (Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence, August 2023.)<\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n But can we learn guitar successfully<\/a> online?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The short answer is yes. We can access good quality tuition quickly and easily. We can enjoy all the benefits of learning from great teachers. And we can embark on cohesive learning paths.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Technology has made it easier than ever to pick up a guitar and start learning<\/a>. Opportunities have opened up for students worldwide.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Typically, an online guitar course will use a variety of ways to engage with students:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n They often offer a free trial or money-back guarantee to ensure we are happy.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So we’ve got our new guitar<\/a>. We might have an idea of what we want to play. We probably want to learn some guitar tricks.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n It’s only natural to think we can learn guitar online. So we search for something that looks interesting. Something that’s going to grab our attention. Preferably (we might think) something free.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Free guitar lessons can be an exciting find. Especially if we want to dip our toe in the guitar world but don’t yet want to commit to paying for anything.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We’ll find a wealth of free resources online. Lessons range from stand-alone videos to illustrated articles or short introductory courses. Sometimes they take the form of a free trial of paid-for content. They are often aimed at those wanting to learn acoustic guitar or electric guitar. And may be aimed at beginners rather than intermediate or advanced players.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n In a free guitar lesson, we might learn to play one or two chords<\/a> and some strumming patterns<\/a>. But other topics could include:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We might also find some free downloadable resources such as chord and scale charts<\/a>. Or fretboard charts.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n These lessons may not offer the same coaching or curriculum as paid-for courses. But a free guitar lesson can still provide some useful knowledge and skills for new guitar players. It might get us started on our journey.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So if it’s easy to find free resources, is it worth paying for online guitar lessons?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Let’s look at the limitations of ad hoc free lessons.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The most obvious downsides of trying to learn guitar through free lessons are:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n If these are concerns, then the alternative is to pay for our online guitar lessons.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We can pay to have a one-to-one online lesson with a teacher. Or we can pay for single stand-alone courses. These can provide a more structured alternative to the free video lessons on YouTube.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n A better course of action might be to enroll in an online course or program from a guitar “school”. Let’s explore what an online guitar school might offer.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n An online guitar school is a platform that offers lessons and instructional material. Students can learn how to play the guitar from anywhere with an internet connection. Schools might attract beginners, primarily, or intermediate and pro players too.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n These schools provide a range of services. This can include:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The best schools provide a structured curriculum to follow. Our achievements are then measurable. We’re not plucking into an unresponsive void.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The curriculum is likely to cover various aspects of guitar playing.\u00a0\u00a0It might offer basic chords, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques. It could offer songs across different genres.\u00a0\u00a0Or it might specialize in providing a route to learning a certain style, like classical guitar playing.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Some schools are run by figureheads. These are often inspirational teachers or guitar players.\u00a0 They may be world-class instructors.\u00a0 And they have a passion to share their knowledge with others.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Others may feature video guitar lessons from experts worldwide.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Online guitar courses or programs will usually charge a fee. Some will ask for payment upfront. Some offer monthly or annual subscriptions.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n They may have some giveaways, or provide areas of their website that anyone can access. But a well-thought-through curriculum is likely to be available only to paid-up members.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So how do we rate whether guitar online courses are worth it?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We can do that by assessing the benefits of online learning, and then by exploring how to find the right course for us.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Taking individual lessons with a guitar teacher<\/a> has traditionally been a preferred route. But more people than ever now appreciate the benefits of learning online. These include:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n No packing and unpacking of your guitar, support, music and other gear. No changing clothes and preparing to leave the home. We can stay in our pyjamas. No travel holdups, rush, or anxiety.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Online guitar lessons can be much more affordable than in-person, private lessons. Often, the student pays a monthly or annual subscription. This gives full or selected access to the platform\u2019s content. They might receive individual feedback as part of that package.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Guitar schools can offer structured learning. Good programs have sophisticated frameworks for progression. This could be through various levels of achievement.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Online guitar courses usually offer a more flexible schedule than in-person classes.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n This type of flexibility is great for busy adults. Not everyone can commit to attending weekly in-person classes.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Good schools will offer a variety of multimedia resources. These might include a library of articles<\/a> to read, and video courses<\/a>. Books and sheet music<\/a> are often available to download.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n There might be one-on-one lessons, masterclasses, forums or open mic sessions to get involved in.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We can explore topics in different ways to suit our learning styles.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n One of the problems of teaching ourselves something is that we don’t know what we don’t know.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We may be unaware of the skills, techniques, and best practices that would enable us to succeed.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n When we learn guitar online, teachers will be able to offer expert guidance and personalized feedback. They will usually cover various techniques, theory, and practical skills.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n This generally leads to significantly more success than we’d have from teaching ourselves. We save time and frustration because problems are caught and corrected early.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n A structured learning route will inspire us, and give us something to work towards.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n This might be the achievement of moving up through a grade system or the reward of a certificate. It could be the satisfaction of adding more guitar chords to our toolkit or learning to read music.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n And the school community can keep us inspired and motivated. We are not alone! There may be live Q&A sessions, online forums, and community events.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Everyone’s working at their own pace. But we can share progress with like-minded fellow members. There will be people from all over the guitar world to get to know. Or we might meet people from our own part of the world whom we’ve never met before. It happens.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n To choose the right online guitar lessons, it’s a good idea to identify our current skill level. We can also think about the style of online guitar lessons we want to take.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We tend to know if we are a beginner. It’s easy. We’ve just started to play. It’s harder to judge whether we are an intermediate or advanced player. Who sets the criteria?<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n A free trial may come in handy here. But most guitar schools cater to all levels. The best online lessons usually recommend we start at the beginning of a program, even if we’ve been playing for some time. This ensures there are no gaps in our knowledge.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Next, we need to decide what style or genre of guitar we would like to learn. It often boils down to what sort of music we like.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The guitar is a versatile instrument. We want to find the right guitar-playing style and the best online guitar lessons for us.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n There are several styles to choose from:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n In a band, we\u2019ll find guitarists with differing roles. Some will be playing electric guitar rhythm chords or lead riffs. We’ll also find bass guitars supporting the harmonies and maintaining the beat.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n If we want to play rock guitar, we’ll want to learn power chords, solos, pentatonic scales, licks and riffs. We’ll need to get to know about guitar gear like amps and pedals.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Singer-songwriters will often accompany themselves on an acoustic guitar (or electro-acoustic instrument). To play this sort of music, we might be looking for song lessons. Undoubtedly, we’ll want to play chords and learn fingerpicking patterns. We might want explore courses providing ear training. Or we could look out for ways to learn how to compose original tunes.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The classical guitar has a repertoire that spans centuries. It’s often known as “Spanish guitar.” An online classical guitar school will include technique<\/a> as a core component. Lessons will likely incorporate reading music<\/a>. There may be libraries of sheet music<\/a> available.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Jazz guitarists often play with a band of other instrumentalists. Much of their music is improvised. To play jazz, we’ll be looking for a course dealing with the theory of extended chords. We are likely to want to build our knowledge of jazz standards.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n It’s best to try not to rule anything in or out, although acoustic and electric guitar lessons can be quite different.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n That’s the beauty of playing the guitar. Be we complete beginner, intermediate or advanced player, all the skills we learn as a guitar player are transferable.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n As we identify our current guitar skills and think about the sort of music we want to play, we can research our online guitar lessons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n It’s important to find out about schools we are interested in. Read the instructor profiles and student reviews.<\/p>\r\n Also consider the following:<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n So we’ve looked at the benefits of learning guitar online, and what we might want to consider before joining a program.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n But what about the content?\u00a0<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here are the essential elements we should look for in an online guitar school.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Feedback and assessment: Mechanisms for receiving personalized feedback on our progress<\/li>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n We will get the most out of any program by engaging with the school. If we organize ourselves properly and get involved with the community, we can make the most of its offerings.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n <\/a><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Once we’ve decided on a guitar school, it’s tempting to sit back and expect miracles.<\/p>\r\n There’s an old expression “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink”. Playing any instrument takes time and dedication. We have to be prepared to drink or we won’t flourish.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Here are some ways we can maximize our learning experience:<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Knowledge of music theory<\/a> is not always necessary for starting an online guitar course.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Let’s face it, we probably didn’t search for beginner guitar lessons because we couldn’t wait to learn our major scales.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Nor do we have to know a major scale before we can start to play chords. Beginner lessons would be a bit dry if they focussed on sub-dividing rhythms rather than trying out some hands-on guitar tricks.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n The best online guitar lessons will introduce theory in a structured way. And only as it applies to playing the guitar. That’s whether we learn acoustic or electric guitar.\u00a0\u00a0This means we learn theory in a practical context, and where it is relevant to our progress.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n Yes, having some knowledge of music theory can certainly enhance our learning experience. It can give us a deeper understanding of the music we are playing. It can help us communicate with other musicians. And it can help us learn new pieces more quickly.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n But it’s not usually a strict requirement to get started, especially for beginners.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n If we’re concerned about our music theory knowledge, it’s a good idea to reach out directly to the school or course providers.\u00a0 They can give us specific information about their curriculum and any prerequisites they might have.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\nWhy Learn the Guitar?<\/h2>\r\n
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The Guitar: A Wonderful Instrument<\/h3>\r\n
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Can I Really Learn Guitar Completely Online?<\/h2>\r\n
Typical Ways of Engaging Online<\/h3>\r\n
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Free Online Guitar Lessons<\/h2>\r\n
Benefits of Free Guitar Lessons<\/h3>\r\n
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Downsides of Free Online Lessons<\/h3>\r\n
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Online Guitar Schools<\/h2>\r\n
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The Power of the Curriculum<\/h3>\r\n
Are Online Guitar Courses Worth It?<\/h2>\r\n
Benefits of Online Learning<\/h3>\r\n
Saves Time<\/h4>\r\n
Cost-effective<\/h4>\r\n
Structured Learning<\/h4>\r\n
Flexibility<\/h4>\r\n
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Variety of Resources<\/h4>\r\n
Expert Guidance and Tailored Feedback<\/h4>\r\n
Motivation<\/h4>\r\n
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Course<\/h2>\r\n
Identify Current Skill Level<\/h3>\r\n
Decide Your Style<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
Electric<\/h4>\r\n
Acoustic<\/h4>\r\n
Classical<\/h4>\r\n
Jazz<\/h4>\r\n
Be Accommodating<\/h3>\r\n
Research the Courses: What to Look for in Course Descriptions<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
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Essential Elements of a Quality Online Guitar Course<\/h2>\r\n
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<\/ul>\r\n Unlimited email support, video reviews, and coaching calls<\/li>\r\n
Tips for Success with Guitar Online Courses<\/h2>\r\n
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Do I Need to Know Music Theory for a Guitar Online Course?<\/h2>\r\n
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