Why You Need Guitar Lessons
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Music Lessons are Largely Recommended
In general, if you ask enough people about the best way to learn guitar, most of them would suggest taking lessons. That’s because most people have some experience with music lessons, at least enough to know that it can be more helpful than just hacking away at your own.
However, occasionally you’ll meet someone who will tell you not to waste your money on lessons. Why would someone advise against it?
In many cases, this person had a bad experience with lessons. Unfortunately, there are too many unprofessional music teachers out there, and they’re giving everyone else a bad name. Musicians are not always balanced people. Some people who have spent years learning an instrument didn’t manage to pick up any other marketable skills in the mean-time. This means that a number of private teachers aren’t really committed to teaching, and are only doing it because they have no other place to go.
A good teacher can save you lots of time by helping you to avoid bad habits, identify your critical practice path, and choose music that suits your level—allowing your guitar learning process to flow smoothly and evenly.
Common Questions about Guitar Lessons
But Why Can’t I Learn Everything Online?
As more lessons are published online, that will only increase the need for good teachers to guide students through the material. A teacher is more than a repository of lessons. A good teacher is a guide and coach that helps you plan your attack.
What Are the Benefits of Private Lessons?
A good teacher can help you in many ways, including the following:
- Watch your technique for signs of problems
- Help you to avoid learning bad habits
- Help you pick songs to play that fit your level
- Give you exercises for the specific challenges you’re facing
- Help you make appropriate adaptations, such as key changes, to music you want to learn
- Give you an opportunity to play with an experienced musician every week
- Hold you to a high standard and put a little positive pressure on you
What are the Disadvantages of Private Lessons?
- A bad teacher is no better than having no teacher
- Lessons cost money. The more in-demand the teacher (or the more rare the instrument), the more expensive the lessons
- Traveling to lessons every week can be inconvenient
- Students who frequently travel may have attendance problems
If you want to avoid ending up with a bad teacher, check out our tips for choosing a guitar teacher.
Common Reasons Learners Avoid Lessons
Financial reasons
If you can’t afford lessons right now, that’s okay. They’re not absolutely required. Financial stress is a normal part of life, even for the rich. If this is the case, it may be best to put off lessons and come back when it fits your budget. You can learn by yourself or online. Another option is to take less-frequent lessons, such as once every two weeks.
Lessons are too far away
For students who live too far from a qualified teacher, that’s really no problem these days as long as you have high-speed internet. Some of the best guitar teachers out there are doing their whole show through Skype. Many in-demand teachers have a busy travel schedule, too.
Travel schedule is too busy
Potential students with a difficult travel schedule can also take advantage of Skype. In fact, frequent travel is not a factor if you’re really motivated to learn. You do need a travel guitar, though. Some students meet their teachers from thousands of miles away through the power of the Internet.
Coda
Even experienced, professional musicians will take lessons from other professionals who have skills they want to acquire. The private lesson institution is ancient and endures for a reason. Find a qualified teacher near you, and reap the many benefits of good instruction.
As the creator of Hub Guitar, Grey has compiled hundreds of guitar lessons, written several books, and filmed hundreds of video lessons. He teaches private lessons in his Boston studio, as well as via video chat through TakeLessons.