More often than not, aspiring musicians -let alone people with a short-lived desire to play the guitar- believe that all one needs to do is pick one up, and after a few practice runs, they’ll be strumming it better than greats such as Lenny Kravitz. However, it takes a lot more than passion, even though that’s the first and most important step. There are different approaches to learning this artistic craft, and how quickly one becomes a decent player all depends on inborn ability. Which is why the dividing line between online guitar lessons vs getting a guitar teacher is often a thin one.
Online Guitar Lessons: Form Over Substance
Learning anything online can be intimidating for most of us who have become accustomed to traditional approaches to learning. You see your tutor in the physical form, get to engage in a hands-on manner, and the sort of personal relationships that hasten the learning process are created. Needless to say, the nature of learning has evolved rapidly ever since the advent of the internet. So, online guitar lessons are simply the same as conventional methods of learning whereby you actually have a guitar teacher. Barring minor impediments to learning how to play a guitar –like your teacher actually instructing you on how to precisely hold a guitar- there isn’t much of a difference, as, by mere indication, you can learn to do so like a pro. There are several advantages to it.
For one, it is convenient. At times –especially if you have a day job- all you need to do is plug in your laptop, go online, and your lesson kick-starts immediately, as opposed to driving to a specified location when you’re tired from work. Secondly, it is of course cheaper, considering that your instructor doesn’t have to offset the cost of leasing out premises by charging hefty fees. And if anything is to go by, any drawbacks can be overcome by supplementing online guitar lessons with a guitar teacher to perfect your skills.
Getting A Guitar Teacher: The Traditional Approach
Although more expensive and tiring, you can rest assured that your guitar playing skills will be honed. You will get thorough demonstration on how to hold a guitar, how to switch between strings, and a host of other technical aspects that make all the difference. In addition to that, you get corrected on how you’re making mistakes, which often requires physical contact, as being an excellent guitarist is more about sound output, which is not so clear to you when you’re learning online with a headphone, mixers and occasional intermittent internet connectivity. Yes, it can be an agonising experience to be dragged through hours of lessons –especially if you have a day job and kids- but it’s all the more worth it.
But when all is said and done, it all boils down to application, learning ability and passion. Either of the two approaches to learning how to play a guitar can reap positive rewards. So rather, choose an option that suits your lifestyle and innate ability.
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