Online Guitar Lessons - Are They Enough For All Students?
As I look at the ever-increasing selection of online guitar lessons, I wonder if they are the best option for all guitar students.
For most, they are a good start.
But for some, those lessons may not be enough.
You've heard all those old sayings such as, "Turn your mountains into molehills.
"Henry Ford said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
" Or to quote a familiar song:"It only takes a spark, to get a fire going" - Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser One little spark! That may be all you need to get back on track with your progress as you learn to play the guitar.
My purpose in writing this article is to give those students who have gotten stuck at some point in learning the guitar - or who have lapsed in practicing or advancing as they hoped - these few words of encouragement.
Encouragement is one of the elements that may be lacking from downloaded or streaming video tutorials.
As a student, getting that "pat on the back" or a verbal "good job" can provide the motivation (or the little spark) it takes to give a student a renewed hope that they can continue to improve their guitar playing skills.
And, without the opportunity to have an experienced teacher give you pointers or tips in person, a student can form bad habits that may delay their ability to improve.
A worst-case scenario is when a student just does't fully understand the lesson and gets frustrated (and possibly gives up or stops trying).
One solution I can offer for struggling beginner guitar players is to seek out the advice of a guitar teacher.
You may have already invested some money if you bought a DVD guitar course or have paid for a subscription to view online videos.
If you end up quitting, you will never get over the feeling that you wasted your time and money.
Perhaps one more small investment would help get you past whatever obstacle you may have encountered.
Weekly lessons for a longer period of time might be too costly, but consider hiring a teacher for just a few weeks to get you past whatever is holding you back.
A good way to overcome any confusion you have with an online course is to bring a copy of what confuses you to a tutor or teacher.
Or, ask the teacher if they would view the course you are taking on their computer before you meet in person.
You may find that spending the small amount of time and money involved in having a "consultation"will make the difference between struggling at the beginner level and being able to move forward and eventually advance to the intermediate level.
Another more affordable and motivating option is group guitar lessons.
Your one-on-one time would not be as great in a class or group setting, but just being able to see what kind of feedback other students get can be of help (and you would have some personal input from a teacher, as well).
All good learning programs include some form of feedback.
Unfortunately there is far too little feedback for those who subscribe to online tutorials (and even less for those using free lessons online).
What do I mean by feedback? Well, specific instructions, tips, techniques and constructive criticism of what could be done better are some of the types of feedback that can help a music student - or any student.
It's been said that no one learns in a vacuum - isolation is not conducive to learning.
Other great fundamental truths about learning include the following*:
If you are feeling dejected or have lost hope of becoming better at whatever you are trying to learn, try to remember the passion you once felt when you started out.
Rekindle some of that intense desire if you possibly can.
Don't allow temporary obstacles to turn into permanent failure.
If learning with online videos or guitar lessons on DVDs is just not "cutting it" or producing the results you had expected, don't give up until you find someone who can give you personal guidance and encouragement.
Also, find ways to interact with other guitar players in forums or read the helpful articles and comments on blogs, such as Guitar Lessons For Beginners.
Athletes often need coaching, and musicians often need the guidance that can be found from a professional music teacher.
For most, they are a good start.
But for some, those lessons may not be enough.
You've heard all those old sayings such as, "Turn your mountains into molehills.
"Henry Ford said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
" Or to quote a familiar song:"It only takes a spark, to get a fire going" - Pass It On by Kurt Kaiser One little spark! That may be all you need to get back on track with your progress as you learn to play the guitar.
My purpose in writing this article is to give those students who have gotten stuck at some point in learning the guitar - or who have lapsed in practicing or advancing as they hoped - these few words of encouragement.
Encouragement is one of the elements that may be lacking from downloaded or streaming video tutorials.
As a student, getting that "pat on the back" or a verbal "good job" can provide the motivation (or the little spark) it takes to give a student a renewed hope that they can continue to improve their guitar playing skills.
And, without the opportunity to have an experienced teacher give you pointers or tips in person, a student can form bad habits that may delay their ability to improve.
A worst-case scenario is when a student just does't fully understand the lesson and gets frustrated (and possibly gives up or stops trying).
One solution I can offer for struggling beginner guitar players is to seek out the advice of a guitar teacher.
You may have already invested some money if you bought a DVD guitar course or have paid for a subscription to view online videos.
If you end up quitting, you will never get over the feeling that you wasted your time and money.
Perhaps one more small investment would help get you past whatever obstacle you may have encountered.
Weekly lessons for a longer period of time might be too costly, but consider hiring a teacher for just a few weeks to get you past whatever is holding you back.
A good way to overcome any confusion you have with an online course is to bring a copy of what confuses you to a tutor or teacher.
Or, ask the teacher if they would view the course you are taking on their computer before you meet in person.
You may find that spending the small amount of time and money involved in having a "consultation"will make the difference between struggling at the beginner level and being able to move forward and eventually advance to the intermediate level.
Another more affordable and motivating option is group guitar lessons.
Your one-on-one time would not be as great in a class or group setting, but just being able to see what kind of feedback other students get can be of help (and you would have some personal input from a teacher, as well).
All good learning programs include some form of feedback.
Unfortunately there is far too little feedback for those who subscribe to online tutorials (and even less for those using free lessons online).
What do I mean by feedback? Well, specific instructions, tips, techniques and constructive criticism of what could be done better are some of the types of feedback that can help a music student - or any student.
It's been said that no one learns in a vacuum - isolation is not conducive to learning.
Other great fundamental truths about learning include the following*:
- Learning starts by osmosis (in the womb) and this process of absorbing things unconsciously takes place throughout our lives.
- People learn through mistakes and (or by trial and error).
Not trying means not learning. - Learning won't take place without an interest in the subject matter.
- In order to learn, students need a certain amount of faith or belief that the desired outcome is possible for them.
- Nothing is really "learned" until it can be used (it is only theory until it is used or put into practice).
If you are feeling dejected or have lost hope of becoming better at whatever you are trying to learn, try to remember the passion you once felt when you started out.
Rekindle some of that intense desire if you possibly can.
Don't allow temporary obstacles to turn into permanent failure.
If learning with online videos or guitar lessons on DVDs is just not "cutting it" or producing the results you had expected, don't give up until you find someone who can give you personal guidance and encouragement.
Also, find ways to interact with other guitar players in forums or read the helpful articles and comments on blogs, such as Guitar Lessons For Beginners.
Athletes often need coaching, and musicians often need the guidance that can be found from a professional music teacher.
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