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How and Where to Take Beginner Guitar Lessons

Beginner guitar lessons can help you learn to play and read sheet music for almost any song you want. While many beginners try to learn by merely "picking out" chords, they will stumble when it comes to playing more complicated songs or in a group or band. It is especially important to learn how to read the notes if you plan on playing classical guitar music.

With lessons, you can learn the basics and then develop your skills naturally as you add to your musical knowledge base. Lessons also enable you to play songs you've never heard before so you won't have to rely solely on hearing the music.

Should You Find a Music Teacher or Take Beginner Guitar Lessons Online?

This question will be answered differently for everyone. It really depends on the type of person you are, and whether you prefer instructional, hands-on teaching or learning on your own using reading and examples. A guitar instructor can teach you how to hold and use the guitar properly, how and where to hold your fingers, and how to read the guitar sheet music on all levels.

With an instructor you are able to make some mistakes because the instructor will correct you on the spot. You can also ask questions as you go along. But with lessons online or in a book, some of the instructions might be difficult to understand and the illustrations can sometimes be misleading without someone to explain it to you. You could actually learn to play a chord the wrong way if you're not careful. On the other hand, if you're really pressed for time and aren't able to squeeze in an appointment once a week for a teacher, you can benefit by taking an online course that fits into your schedule.

Choosing a Guitar Teacher

If you decide to learn from a guitar instructor, find one that specializes in your favorite type of music if possible. If not, find a teacher that is diverse in lessons to help you gain a broad range of skills including the music that appeals to you the most. Ask for references (former or current students) and find out what you'll be learning and what materials you'll need to get started. Also, ask about the lesson schedule to be sure it will fit well with yours.

Questions to Ask a Guitar Teacher:

- What is your teaching experience? (Look for a teacher with at least three to five years experience if one is available in your area.)

- Do you teach privately or in groups only?

- What styles of music do you teach, or do you specialize?

- How do you teach the lessons? (This is really a trick question, because a good teacher usually won't have a definite plan until they get to know more about you personally - your experience, your knowledge level of music, etc. An inexperienced teacher may try to explain the lesson schedule to you before knowing anything about you.)

- What is the price and time involved for each lesson?

Once you have the answers to these questions, be sure to discuss your playing desires to see if the teacher will be able to help you reach your goals. Do you want to play in a local band or a well-known band some day? Do you want to play casually at home with your buddies? Do you desire to teach guitar to others some day?

Choosing Beginner Guitar Lessons Online

If you decide that online lessons are for you, choose your lessons wisely. There are many free resources and learning tools, but a professional beginner guitar course will likely work better if you're a beginner. This will help you learn the skills from start to finish without skipping important steps. Find a course that has been authored by a professional guitar teacher. Also, check out the course examples and illustrations to be sure it will be easy to follow. Look for lots of clear illustrations with the lessons to simplify the learning process. See if the course offers online music help with the lessons. Having a real person to answer your questions throughout the course can be a lifesaver!

Ask around in online forums what the best online guitar manual would be for you. Either way, choose the guitar teacher or beginner guitar lessons that fit your style and budget.

~~~ Written by Candice Pardue

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