Online guitar lessons vs. guitar books

Learning to play guitar is something many people would love to do, but there’s a big difference between having the goal, and making it a reality.

So why do some succeed while others watch their guitar gather dust in the corner of the living room?

It really comes down to two factors:

1. A genuine desire to get good at guitar – it needs to be more than just a ‘someday maybe’ idea.
2. A solid game plan with clear steps towards reaching a specific goal/level – bouncing around on YouTube just won’t cut it.

If you’re reading this, then it seems you’ve already got the first box ticked – so what about the second one?

There’s now a huge array of options for learning guitar. With endless choices comes endless confusion – especially for beginners. Today, we aim to clear the fog around two popular ways to learn guitar: online lessons vs. guitar books.

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll have a better idea of the pros and cons for both, and feel more confident choosing a style that best suits your needs.

‍

What do I need to get good at guitar?

A guitar! Done. Hmm, okay it’s gonna take a bit more than that.

If you’re a total beginner, it’s worth getting some advice on the real fundamentals before you start playing.

“But we’re living in the future! Can’t AI just teach me how to play guitar?” Let’s find out:

‍

Beyond the essential tips Sam and Karl just offered us, there are three really important concepts that you need to include in your practice routine.

If you can cover these, you’ll avoid the most common guitar-learning pitfalls.

1. Structured learning

“I wanna get good at guitar” is not enough – you need to get specific with your goals.

Once you know exactly where you want to be, it’s way easier to plan your journey to get there. Many guitarists (even intermediate level) feel unsure of what to work on next – you want to avoid this at all costs.

When you have a structured pathway laid out, you’ll never feel lost – this means genuine progress every time you pick up the guitar.

2. Practical exercises

If your routine only covers the ‘theoretical’ side of things, it can be difficult to see improvement in your actual playing.

You could have a book that contains every scale in the world, but if you’re not shown how to apply them, what’s the point?

Make sure every time you learn something new, you use it in a musical context. Not only will you have more fun, but you’ll also lock in the information.

3. Professional guidance

This is even more crucial for beginners.

When you’re first starting out, mistakes are inevitable. Even the basic mechanics of playing the guitar should be monitored.

You need to avoid developing bad habits early on – the best way to do this is to have an experienced guitarist check your technique.

‍

Learning styles and preferences

We’re all different, not just in terms of what we want to learn but also how we learn it.

It’s good to figure how what style of learning best suits you. Here are three common categories:

Visual learners

• Visual learners grasp concepts better through images and demonstrations.
• Online lessons offer video tutorials, interactive diagrams, and demonstrations that cater to the visual learning style.
• The dynamic visual elements can enhance comprehension and retention.

Text-based learners

• Some individuals learn best through reading and textual information.
• Guitar books provide comprehensive written material, explanations, and exercises, catering to the text-based learning preference.
• The static nature of books allows for focused reading and understanding of concepts.

Hands-on learners

• Some people thrive through hands-on experience and physical engagement.
• Both online lessons and guitar books can complement this learning style through practice exercises.
• Incorporating practical applications, such as playing along with lessons or exercises, is essential for hands-on learners.

Budget and schedule

Another important factor is the time and money you’re able to invest in learning guitar.

• In-person lessons are great, but extremely pricey and usually at a fixed time each week.
• If you need flexibility, or have a tight budget, online lessons or books are the way to go.

Learning goals

Do you just want to strum along to your favorite songs, or are you planning on starting a band?

Where you want to go with guitar is a massive factor in how and what you should learn. If you see it as a casual hobby – maybe a basic chord/songbook is enough.

If you’re planning to perform in the future or play with other musicians, books may not give you everything you need.