Group Guitar Lessons Vs Online Lessons: Pros And Cons [Compared]

Many of us worry that we’re not making the most of our guitar study time.

Whether you’re self-teaching, paying a private guitar tutor, or learning bits and pieces from YouTube, it’s common to wonder if there’s a better way.

If you feel like you’re not making progress, it could be time to try something different - maybe with online guitar lessons or in-person group lessons.

To help you figure out if either of these options is right for you, I’ll examine the pros and cons of each and throw in my opinions along the way.

In this article, you’ll also discover different learning styles and why certain people find more success with a specific learning environment.

Learning how to learn

So, what are the different types of learning styles you need to be aware of so you can learn guitar faster and more effectively?

Everybody has their own preferred way of absorbing new information.

For some people, it can be tough to sit and memorize all 126 fretted notes on the guitar.

For others, the CAGED system of visualizing patterns, scales, and shapes can make this process super easy.

Discovering how your mind works and processes information can be like gaining a superpower when it comes to mastering guitar playing.

The best part is, once you find out your preferred style it’ll benefit many other areas of your life too.

Understanding how to learn effectively will inspire you to take on bigger challenges in your guitar lessons.

From the shortlist below, see which style you identify with most – this is called your predominant learning style.

The four learning styles

Aural/auditory: Learn by hearing or engaging in discussions.
Reading/writing: Taking notes or reading.
Kinetic: Tactile and physical input.
Visual: Picture aids, presentations, and lesson outlines.

Take some time to find what suits you best – for many people, a hybrid of two or more different styles can also work well.

Here’s more about the theory of learning styles and how they relate to learning music

In-person group guitar lessons vs online lessons: What’s the difference?

Firstly, online lessons are a totally different environment from face-to-face group guitar lessons – getting the most from either of these depends on your personality.

Some people prefer the traditional method of learning with an in-person guitar teacher, so group lessons can be the perfect fit for people looking to experience something with a more social aspect.
An added benefit is that group lessons are considerably cheaper than 1-on-1 lessons.

Online lessons are a great fit if you like to study at your own pace, around your busy schedule and like the idea of being part of an online guitar community with members globally, including near you.

Guitar education platforms have come a long way in the last few years and are much better at catering to people's specific needs and goals.

When online lessons first appeared on the scene, the majority of them were just simple video tutorials
Guitarists had been learning from VHS tapes and DVDs for a long time, so online videos were just an updated version of an old format.
It took a while for companies to realize that much more could be done with this new technology – classes could be interactive.

Here at Pickup Music, we work hard to make the online guitar learning platform as useful for beginners and intermediates as possible.

Whether it’s getting advice from our team about what to study, receiving personal feedback on your playing, or chatting with an awesome community in the forums and video meetups.

That's before we even get into genre-specific guitar courses and interactive jams.

There’s a ton of cool stuff you can do with online learning these days.

Of course, all that means nothing without decent instructional guitar videos – if you want a taster of that, here’s a freebie…

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So what about the other side of the coin?

There are beginner guitar players who have taken major leaps in their playing through group lessons.

Being able to practise with others is a fantastic experience to grow social skills both musically and personally.
Having the opportunity to share new discoveries with other guitar enthusiasts can be deeply encouraging – especially when you’re first starting out.
It’s also a great way to form new irl friendships and gain guitar buddies to jam with.

Group lessons offer a level of live interaction that can help players improve their performance skills and get over stage fright. For guitar players who dream of starting their own band, group lessons can be a great way to get a feel for that.

For players who dream of starting their own band, group lessons can be a great way to get a feel for that.

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What are the benefits of group guitar lessons?

Group guitar training sessions are the perfect environment for players who have little to no experience with the guitar.

Because everyone in the room will usually be at a similar level – it’s reassuring to be around other people who are at the same stage as you.

Have you ever heard the quote “two heads are better than one”?

Learning alongside other guitarists can have significant benefits to your playing, especially early on.

The opportunity to watch other people figure things out can help fuel more of those lightbulb moments for visual or auditory learners.
Some people can be more confident than others in the classroom setting and group guitar tutorials can offer you the chance to learn from someone else’s questions.
Group lessons can turn into mini think tanks which is great for interacting and building knowledge.

Here’s a quick recap on the benefits of group lessons:

Get to know others on the same journey as you.
Meet new people to jam with.
Learn from other players’ learning discoveries.
Gain a sense of accountability.
Get instant feedback.

What if you’re beyond the beginner guitarist stage?

Adult group guitar lessons also exist for intermediate and more advanced players – often referred to as clinics, masterclasses, or group seminars.

These kinds of group lessons can be conducted like an interview with an experienced professional.
You can find numerous guitar masterclasses with the world’s top players online and there are often masterclasses happening locally at universities, colleges, or performing arts spaces.
If you are an intermediate or advanced guitarist looking for the next level in your playing, this could be a useful avenue.

As well as the opportunity to have your personal questions answered, most guitar clinics also offer the chance to share the stage with a professional guitar god.

Here’s an example of a masterclass with guitar guru Paul Gilbert:

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Guitar clinics and masterclasses can sometimes feel a little scary to take part in, but they remain incredible opportunities to learn from the best in the business right before your eyes.

With the availability of online video platforms, you can discover past masterclasses with many of your musical heroes and pick up secret tips that many are not aware of.

Clinics and masterclasses from popular websites teaching guitar lessons online are not always recorded, so it’s still preferable to log-in live.

What are the benefits of online video guitar lessons?

In the last decade, the demand for guitar lessons in general has skyrocketed.

During the 2020 pandemic alone, it is estimated that 16 million people took up the guitar as a way to keep entertained through lockdowns.

With a new generation of guitar players discovering online lessons, guitar education platforms have flourished and found exciting and fresh approaches to teaching online.

Online guitar classes have gained popularity due to many new innovations and some benefits that can’t be found anywhere else.

If you’re someone who benefits from visual or auditory learning styles, online lessons can be fantastic for helping you see and hear professional players in action.

Close-up video tutorials of your favorite players can give you new insights into technique, performance, or creative problem solving.

You’ll never be short of materials to work on as many guitar education websites provide excellent visual graphics for chord charts, TABs, and theory breakdowns.

There are also online guitar training webinars that provide interaction between the presenter and attendees.

These webinars are usually targeted towards one specific area of learning per webinar for more effective learning.

If the webinar is held within a membership site there won’t be a sales pitch at the end of the webinar so you can rest assured it will be purely informative and educational.

Here are some of the benefits of learning guitar online:

You can move at your own pace.
Online forums for students to share ideas and challenges.
Return to harder challenges when you’re ready.
Replaying videos can help solidify new concepts.
Huge selection of materials available (tools, graphics, jam tracks, print-offs, etc.).

Meeting in the middle

Gone are the days of lonely guitar lessons online.

Combining different methods can bring a 3D effect to your learning.

Also, the lines between each learning style are starting to blur…

Students can now share ideas and learn together through online forums and experience the group-guitar-lesson vibe via live-streaming events.

With more online meet-ups, jam nights, and live masterclasses becoming available, there has never been a better time to pick up a guitar and start learning.

Web-based guitar lessons are perfect for beginners and intermediates who feel most comfortable learning in the comfort of their own homes and at their own pace.

But, there are plenty of ways to get involved with other learners and recreate the group-lesson dynamic when you’re ready.

Here are some ways that you can get started with learning guitar on the web:

Trying some free sample guitar lessons out can be the perfect way to dip your toe into online lessons.
Get involved with the Pickup music forum and meet other like-minded players.
Discover Pickup masterclass live streams with top guitar and music production professionals.

If you want the full online learning experience check out the various learning pathways and online community support Pickup Music offers.

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Author: Jack Handyside

Jack Handyside is a professional jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher from the UK with extensive experience in performance and education. A long-time member of the Pickup Music team, Jack serves as a course writer and feedback instructor, providing 1:1 video feedback to Pickup members.

He's also a seasoned private guitar instructor with an international student base and a strong social media presence. Jack's dedication to both performance and education has made him a respected voice in the jazz guitar community.

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