| If the idea of shelling out lots of dough to learn guitar | | | | 3. With guitar software make sure that it has MIDI |
| doesn't sound appealing then you should try teaching | | | | capabilities. This allows you to interactive control over |
| yourself how to play guitar. There are many | | | | music recordings and musical notations, which is |
| self-teaching guitar methods and courses out there | | | | extremely helpful to the student guitarist. |
| that are much cheaper than traditional lessons. As with | | | | 4. Look for a course that offers support, be it phone, |
| any instrument, learning how to play guitar is challenging | | | | online, or email. No matter what the quality of the |
| and finding instructional DVD's, software, or books is of | | | | course is every student is going to run into problems or |
| paramount importance. You need a teaching aid that | | | | have questions that need answering. |
| will show you the proper way to play and keep you | | | | In closing I'd say that learning to play guitar on your |
| from acquiring bad habits. One of the worst enemies | | | | own is an extremely satisfying and viable option. |
| of a new guitar player is the acquisition of bad playing | | | | Private lessons are definitely a viable option too, but I |
| habits. Once you develop bad habits at the guitar, trust | | | | think they are somewhat overrated and certainly much |
| me, they are VERY hard to break. | | | | more expensive. When you check the price of any |
| When looking for a guitar course I suggest you keep in | | | | self-study guitar courses be sure to compare it to |
| mind these things: | | | | what you would be paying for private lessons. These |
| 1. Who is teaching you? The experience and | | | | usually run at least $20 an hour. Most teach yourself |
| credentials of your instructor are very important. Look | | | | guitar packages there are dozens and even hundreds |
| for an instructor or author who has been educated in | | | | of hours of instruction available. So, do the math and |
| music, won awards, and has been associated with | | | | compare the price - you'll be saving tons of money in |
| noteworthy musicians. | | | | the long run. In addition, with your own course you get |
| 2. With video or software instruction make sure it is | | | | to revisit it whenever you want and practice at your |
| professionally done and includes helpful graphical aids | | | | own pace. Just don't forget the main element involved |
| and diagrams to help you understand and visualize the | | | | with learning to play an instrument - your dedication |
| instrument. Book guitar methods always do this well, | | | | and discipline. You've got to push yourself to practice if |
| but some video and software instruction lacks these | | | | you want to become a good guitarist. |
| helpful additions. | | | | |