Thinking about taking online guitar lessons? Read on as online teacher Justine D. explains what type of student excels best with online lessons, what to expect, and more:
Online guitar lessons are a great way to learn how to play the guitar without having to leave the comfort of your own home. But with so many different online guitar lesson providers out there, it can be hard to know where to start.
In this blog post, we’ll give you a run-down of how online guitar lessons work, so you can decide if they’re right for you.
Can You Actually Learn Guitar Online?
You can definitely learn guitar online! While it’s true that there’s no substitute for in-person instruction, online learning has come a long way in recent years. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- First, find a reputable online guitar teacher who offers the best online guitar lessons. There are a lot of great teachers out there, but there are also some not-so-great ones. Ask around for recommendations, and read reviews before making your decision.
- Second, make sure you’re using a high-quality guitar. A cheap guitar will make it harder to learn and will likely discourage you from sticking with it. Conversely, an expensive guitar isn’t necessarily any better – it’s more important to find something that’s comfortable for you and that you enjoy playing.
- Third, practice, practice, practice! The only way to get better at playing guitar is to play as often as possible. Set aside some time each day to practice, and soon you’ll be shredding like a pro.
Ready to start learning guitar? Sign up for online guitar lessons today – and get an idea of what you’ll learn by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZ64yEGPok
What Are the Benefits of Online Guitar Lessons for Beginners?
If you live in a rural area, play a difficult-to-find instrument, or are interested in playing a specific musical style, it may be hard to find a teacher in your area that fits your goals. Fortunately, the advent of the Internet and video-chatting technology have brought new ways for teachers and students to connect!
I’ve been teaching online guitar lessons for two years and have worked with students of all ages and all learning levels. Many of my beginning students are a little hesitant about online lessons, but once they know what to expect it becomes easier!
Why should you consider online guitar lessons?
Guitar Lessons Online are Convenient
Learn in the comfort of your home. You won’t need to travel to your teacher’s studio! This saves you money on gas or transportation.
You Can Find an Online Guitar Lesson Anywhere
Take lessons anywhere. All you need is an Internet-connected device and your guitar. If you want to continue your lessons while on vacation, you can!
Guitar Online Lessons Are Cheap
Finally, they’re affordable. Online guitar lessons are often slightly cheaper than in-person lessons. This is primarily because you will not be able to receive physical feedback or adjustments during your lessons.
Are Guitar Online Lessons Right for Me?
Online guitar lessons are great for students who can follow directions well and are independent. You should also feel comfortable making small changes in your hands and body and know your lefts from your rights.
This is especially important if you are just getting started out with guitar chords. Your teacher may need to give you specific directions about how to adjust how you’re holding your guitar.
Learning online also makes you dependent on your computer, tablet, and connection. Most video-chat issues, like lagging or freezing, are easily fixed by restarting the call, but if your connection is too slow it can hamper your musical progress.
How Do Online Guitar Lessons Work?
Any video-chatting software will work for online guitar lessons, but most teachers will use Skype or Google Hangouts. Both of these programs let you video-chat from a computer, smartphone, or tablet and are free to use. Talk to your teacher to find out more about what he or she recommends.
After you’ve connected on your video-chatting software, you’ll see a big video of your teacher and a smaller one of yourself. Take a moment to look at the video you’re sending to make sure that both your left and right hand are in view! It’s important to have your guitar neck and where you’re strumming in the picture so your teacher can observe your playing.
If you know how to tune your guitar, feel free to do so before your lesson! If tuning is new to you, though, don’t worry: you can always ask your teacher to help you tune your guitar, just like an in-person lesson.
The exact format of your online guitar lesson will vary based on your teacher and your musical goals, but rest assured that you and your teacher will still be able to hear and see each other! I often play with my student at the same time, though I sometimes do ask students to play by themselves so I can really focus on what they’re playing.
Despite the physical distance, you and your teacher will still be able to look at the same music, chords, or other materials thanks to screensharing. Both Skype and Google Hangouts have this feature! I like to open music on my computer and share it with my student so I can use my mouse to indicate what we’re focusing on.
To get your learning materials and songs, your teacher will either email you files or links or recommend books or sheet music for you to purchase. Some of my students like to print out their materials, while others open their files on the computer and practice in front of their screen. It’s up to you!
Can You Find Free Online Guitar Lessons?
The answer is yes! You can find guitar lessons online free of charge if you know where to look.
There are many websites that offer guitar instruction, and some of them even offer free lessons.
The best way to find free online guitar lessons is to search for them on the internet. You can also find free online guitar lessons by asking around at music stores or by talking to other guitarists.
Many times, people are willing to share their knowledge with others who want to learn.
Once you find a few sources of free online guitar lessons, you can start learning how to play the instrument. In no time, you will be able to play your favorite songs and impress your friends with your new skills.
What is the Best Website to Learn Guitar?
Maybe you’re new to the guitar and don’t know where to start. Or maybe you’ve been playing for a while but feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Either way, there are plenty of online resources that can help you improve your skills. In this blog post, we’ll recommend five of the best websites for learning guitar.
1. TakeLessons
If you’re looking for one-on-one instruction, TakeLessons is a great option. You can search for guitar teachers in your area and read reviews from other students to find the perfect match. Plus, with the TakeLessons Live feature, you can take live online lessons with a webcam (no need to leave your house!).
2. GuitarTricks
GuitarTricks is one of the most popular guitar learning websites out there. And for good reason! They offer over 11,000 high-quality video lessons covering all sorts of topics, from beginner basics to more advanced techniques. Plus, they have a handy feature that lets you control the speed of the videos so you can go at your own pace.
3. JustinGuitar
If you prefer lessons in text format, JustinGuitar is a great website to check out. The lessons are well-written and easy to follow, and they cover everything from basic chords to more advanced concepts like soloing and songwriting. You can also find helpful articles on topics like how to choose the right guitar and how to string a guitar.
4. TrueFire
TrueFire is another website that offers both video and text lessons. One thing that makes TrueFire stand out is their Guitargasm feature, which is essentially a library of short instructional videos covering specific topics (like strumming patterns or alternate tunings). These videos are perfect if you need a quick refresher on something or if you just want to learn something new without commitiing to a longer lesson.
5. Fender Play
If you’re looking for high-quality video lessons from world-renowned instructors, Fender Play is worth checking out. They offer lessons on everything from basic chords and strums to more advanced techniques like fingerstyle and slide guitar.
Consider Online Guitar Lessons for Beginners Today!
So there you have it—a quick overview of how online guitar lessons work. If you’re thinking about giving them a try, we recommend that you take advantage of a free trial period so you can find a provider that’s right for you. And remember, all you need is a computer or mobile device and an internet connection, and you’re ready to start learning!
Online guitar lessons are an affordable and convenient way to become a better guitar player! As long as your teacher can hear and see you well, the sky’s the limit. You’ll still be able to review music, tabulature, and chord progressions, get feedback on your guitar technique, and play duets together.
Just make sure to pay close attention to what your teacher has to say, especially if he or she is giving specific directions. It’s up to you to listen and make the right adjustments to how you’re holding or playing your instrument.
Good luck with your guitar playing!
Justine D. teaches guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, and music theory lessons in San Diego, CA, as well as online. She received a double major in in music and psychology at Kalamazoo College, and joined the TakeLessons team in 2011. Learn more about Justine here!
Photo by Jesus Solana
Suzy S.