Learning a musical instrument is a rewarding and pleasurable – even therapeutic – hobby. If you are taking up the guitar, chances are you have been thinking about it for a while, but have been unable to finally take action. You may be overwhelmed by the choices in how to proceed. Learning guitar may be difficult in the beginning, and most people give up here. Eventually though it will unlock the creative potential within you and provide the artistic outlet you have sought. Like anything worth anything in life, it does take work, discipline and determination to learn. If I can emphasize one thing only, it is do not be discouraged!
One of the key strategies to efficiently and enjoyably learning an instrument is to find an educational path you are compatible with and follow it methodically. Over time it will be important to incorporate other styles, techniques and learning methods so your education is well-rounded. You may be interested in different genres like rock, jazz, flamenco, and classical. However all traditional styles are based on fundamentals like chords, scales, modes, tempo, tone, technique, and finger muscle memory. Starting here will pay off in the long run.
There are many music schools and lesson programs online. For a nominal monthly fee you will have access to a broad amount of learning material in the form of streaming lessons videos, documentation in pdf format, downloadable mp3′s, and more. There will (or there should be) a lively online community where you can ask questions, get feedback and share ideas.
As you compare different programs, look at key features:
- Is there a core learning system for beginners? You want to find a program with a fully developed, methodical series of lessons that builds up from core fundamentals. Some programs may simply allow you access to a library of lessons, but you will want guidance on where to start.
