online guitar lessons, Yes or No

[entz72]

so i am looking at taking guitar lessons, i take mini lessons now with my grandfather he been playing since he was 10. I thought about taking them at the local guitar store just 20 bucks for a half hour is steep. I was wondering how the online guitar lessons work

[Stackabones]

Depending on the teacher, 20 bucks can be steep or a heckuva bargain. Talk to a couple of teachers in your area about what you want from them and what you want to do. You don't have to sign up for once a week lessons--other options are available.

A friend of mine did some online guitar lessons. It looked pretty cool. Don't remember the site.

The main drawback to online lessons is that no one can help correct mistakes or encourage strengths that you may have.

Your local library probably has something: books, dvds, etc.

[guitarist21]

My first impression is no for the reasons Stackabones listed- no one to correct mistakes or encourage strengths. However, if you have a bit of a musical background (you already play piano or violin or something) it might not matter too much. If you have zero musical experience, I say try to get a teacher first. Then, once you've got the basics down, it will be easier to teach yourself stuff or do something like online guitar lessons.

Ellen

[entz72]

thanks for the suggestions think i am going to go look around for some teachers.

[Freeman Keller]

I have had very good luck with video and dvd lessons. They tend to run about your hourly price, usually teach anywhere from 3 to 6 or so songs, and you can go at the speed you like. Stop 'em, replay 'em, pause so you can see how some chord is fingere - you usually get a nice little tab book too. Homespun Tapes and Stefan Grossman have been my two sources.

For example , I got the new Rory Block cd for Christmas and liked it so much I bought the dvd where she teaches several of the songs. I'll never play them like Rory, but I've picked up quite a bit from them.

[knockwood]

I have had very good luck with video and dvd lessons.

 

 

+1

[zenbu]

I used a lot of stuff I printed out from the net when I was starting out almost 11 years ago, some of which I still use...scales and modes I run through while sitting on the sofa every day, I also printed out 4 big binders of songs...some of which are beyond my ability at this time but seeing as many of those sites have been shut down while legal action is pending, I`m lucky I did. I`d sung along to the radio for years and when I picked up the guitar was surprised to see how many were not that difficult to play and since I already knew the lyrics, it wasn`t hard to learn them after getiing the chords down pat.
So, combining all sources available to you certainly wouldn`t hurt. Bet your granddad would be tickled to teach you some stuff.