Learning to Play the Guitar
Traditionally, guitar tuition has been conducted through direct one on one correspondence, or in a group scenario, which has been thought to provide the optimum level of interaction necessary to perfect technique. Alternatively many people learning the guitar have taken to self-teaching methods, through a book or self-teaching course, and this too works well for some people, albeit results tend to take longer to show.
It could take some time befor you play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix
The Internet, as a teaching platform, provides a hybrid of these two methods, with the visual and aural tuition of an instructor, and the flexibility and affordability of a book. Usually in the form of videos, online guitar lessons aim to actually show students what to do and how to do it - if you don't pick it up, simply replay the video until you do. This is beneficial in as far as flexibility is concerned, and indeed in terms of money.
If you find yourself sticking at a particular point, it's easy to replay the video to get over that hurdle. However, if you've got a guitar tutor charging $40 an hour, a sticking point can be quite expensive. With the video, you can repeat the lesson over and over again until you manage to progress at no extra cost and in your own time. For the busy professional looking for a hobby, learning to play the guitar online is a great way to fit in some relaxation around your schedule.
With online guitar tuition, you get the benefit of a visual display of how to play the guitar, whatever genre interests you. However, online guitar lessons lack the direct correction of a tutor. If you're not succeeding, there's no one over your shoulder to tell you why. It's up to you to take the initiative and work out where you're going wrong. On the plus side, the minimal cost and flexibility will save you time and money in the long run, so the lack of correction may not be so much of a deterrent.
Online guitar tuition is an increasingly popular way to pick up the instrument, and to learn how to play competently. The ability to learn as you like from your own home, and the fact that the tuition is significantly less expensive than one on one lessons makes it an attractive option for students looking to learn the guitar.
So what is the outcome, should one play online or have lessons that cost a fortune. I would say that nothing beats learning on your own. Finding a good guitar tutor is fundamental to learning to play the guitar, and to say the tutor affects your ability to learn is an understatement. It is essential that you make a wise selection in picking your tutor, and there are various ways in which you can filter the masses to find the most suited guitar tutor to your needs, whether at beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
The first thing to consider when learning to play the guitar is how often you are going to practice, and from where you will access your guitar. As a beginner, it is desirable to pick up a second hand or cheap first guitar. There's no point spending hundreds, or even thousands, on a new top of the range guitar when there is no guarantee that you will be able to play it. When selecting a guitar, you should look for something that is sized appropriately for you, and that sits comfortably when playing. A Spanish or classical guitar is slightly softer on the fingers, although the acoustic guitar is better for smaller hands initially. Obviously each type of guitar has its own specific advantages for more advanced performance, but as a beginner it may be wise to put consideration into the actual size and shape of the guitar and how it fits with you.
Learning to play the guitar can seem like a mammoth task for the complete beginner, but with a few tips in the right direction it doesn't need to be out of reach. With the means to learn and some form of guidance, either through a book, online or through a tutor, learning the guitar can be a fairly straightforward process, and one which can prove to be very rewarding in a short period with drive and determination.
