Beginner Guitar Lessons
Your First Guitar Lessons
When you’re starting out with electric guitar, it is always beneficial to consider early on what type of beginner guitar lessons you could see yourself having on a regular basis. As with everything else in life, it is fare more likely things will go according to plan, if you have a plan to begin with :-)
Your options are more or less these:
- Doing it all by yourself, “happy-go-lucky style”
- Using on-line tools, such as the much applauded Jamorama or Guitar Superstars
- Picking up stuff from friends
- Playing along to free on-line video on YouTube and similar places.
- Taking guitar classes at a school or institute
- Learning from guitar books or DVD’s
- Hiring a private guitar tutor
- Any combination of the above
Learning on your own
Honestly, the only advantage I can see here is that you’d probably be more inclined to develop a unique style – for better or worse.
Seriously though, this is not something I would even consider. It is so easy to pick up bad playing habits. And if you want to learn electric guitar properly, bad habits and sloppy technique is the last thing you want to have!
Learning from a friend or with free video
This is an OK option I guess … if you have absolutely no money at all to spend on tuition. Still, you would need to consider this: How much real life skill and teaching qualifications does this other person have?
When you’re starting out it is a real challenge to be able to spot these things. And – the difference can mean a world of difference to your future ability as a guitar slinger. Sure enough, when you have gained quite a bit of experience, it is absolutely crucial to learn from others – left and right. At a more advanced stage, you’ll be able to pick up things and adapt the major or minor stuff you see fit.
Another thing to think about is the structure – or rather: lack thereof. Proper on-line or off-line guitar learning tools take into consideration a proper sequence and schedule. Without these guiding principles, you will likely, sooner or later, become stuck and frustrated. What you really need is a tested system, not videos or friends showing you some random cool licks…
Learning from guitar books and DVD’s
There are heaps of guitar books and DVD’s out there – some great, some not so great. If you find a book and/or DVD that is specifically geared at beginner guitar lessons, you can’t go much wrong. I would personally take a DVD over a book any time. It is much easier to see a playing sequence on video than than it is in a static book format.
However, the same DVD tends to be kind of boring and stale after a while, and it can be expensive to buy new ones all the time. Also, you don’t have the option to get feedback on your playing with these learning tools.
On-line guitar learning
This is where special tools such as the earlier mentioned Jamorama course (perfect for beginners) and Guitar Superstars come into play. Here you have on-line video, Jam tracks (play-along possibilities) proper learning structure laid out, feedback systems in place, fresh content being added, varied learning styles and more.
If you can’t afford a private teacher, this is the route I would advise you to take. I have tested both the above places, and they are both totally cool!
Guitar school or private teacher
Some schools (public or private) have classes or courses designed for teaching guitar. I would absolutely check this out if I were you!
Then you have of course the advanced, specialized institutions like LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) in Liverpool, UK; Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California – as well as a host of other, similar places. Here you will definitely need some skills before you apply though!
If you really want to be as good as you can be in the shortest amount of time, then nothing can beat a professional guitar teacher. Whether you want to learn classical, blues, rock or anything else – this is the way to go.
However… Having your own teacher will cost you – not an arm and a leg – but still, it’s an investment. Think of it more in terms of the time you will save!
If you choose this route, then do make sure you spend enough time to check out qualifications and if that persons style and personality is something you can be happy with.
Sounding off
Hope you’ve found some of this information helpful? I will come with more information on the issue of having a plan, as well as other stuff. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! Happy hunting for proper lessons in beginner guitar skills!
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Great blog. I’ve tried a few different books by Russ Shipton and Burt Weedon – the real classics. Then I moved on to free online videos. They’re great but I found myself floating from one thing to the next without much direction. I’m just getting in to Jamorama and feeling pretty positive about it. Glad you gave it a good review.
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Thanks for your comment! And you’re absolutely right about the description of floating aimlessly around. It is so easy to go from one free guitar tutorial to the next – in reality getting nowhere without a proper learning schedule and a well defined direction.
April 6th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Thanks for revealing such precious information about learning guitar as it will be of great use for my older son.
April 29th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Interesting beginner guitar article. Were did you got all the information from… :)
May 2nd, 2010 at 5:17 am
I searched many sites and here i found what i was looking for, thanks for valuable post
May 20th, 2010 at 10:38 am
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June 10th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I am constantly amazed by the number of people that I run into that mention that they always wanted to play a musical instrument but never got around to it. Most folks mention the guitar as that instrument of choice. As someone who has played guitar since I was a little boy, I know first hand what they are missing out on. When it comes to learn guitar, it makes no difference how good or bad you are. The reward is that when you sit down, alone or in a group, and begin to strum a simple song or an amazing piece of music, that it makes everyone, including yourself feel so much better. For anyone who feels like they may have missed their opportunity, remember that it is never too late to learn how to play guitar! Pick up a guitar, find a friend who plays or a good teacher and ask them to help you get going. I assure you that it is a move you will not regret and a skill you can carry with you forever.
June 13th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I just want to say like a someone who did this prior to, most men and women shy away from courses like Jamorama guitar on the web due to the fact they believe courses on the internet may not be able to offer them value. I was one of them myself, till I checked out Jamorama guitar course.
June 27th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I really like your post. Always been very informational about learning to play the guitar. I hope you’ll keep up the good work and maintain the standard. Best of luck.
June 28th, 2010 at 11:35 am
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July 2nd, 2010 at 9:14 am
Heya¡my very first comment on your site. ,I have been reading your blog for a while and thought I would completely pop in and drop a friendly note. . It is great beginner guitar stuff indeed. I also wanted to ask..is there a way to subscribe to your site via email?
July 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Just want to thank you for the efforts you have made in publishing this article about learning guitar for beginners. I am hoping for the same kind of work from you in the future as well…
July 17th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
This is amongst the better blogs I’ve read in quite a while. Your site is great for individuals who wishes to get cracking with guitar lessons for beginners. Great goings!
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July 29th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Excellent guitar material for beginners!