What Makes for Great Guitar Lessons?

Here’s the Lowdown…

Every seasoned guitar player remembers the days where their fingers screamed from pressing down hard on the strings, their brain hurt from repeated attempts to memorize strange chord/scale shapes, and their spirit was a bit battered from repeated unsuccessful attempts to master the fretboard like their heroes. But learning guitar does not always have to be so….painful. 

So what makes for great guitar lessons? Let’s dive in.  

The guitar is a versatile instrument that facilitates the playing of many different types of musicians. From 120 note solo shredders to 4 chord country song superstars, there is no generic type of guitar player. Because the guitar is such a dynamic instrument, guitar lessons (the kind that successfully help the student learn!) should be just as dynamic. 

We have found that a mix of technique, theory, creativity, and song based learning supports a balanced progression for the beginner and intermediate level student. 

Here’s the Breakdown…

Technique

Are you pressing down hard enough on the strings? Are your fingers in the correct position? How’s your posture? Are you strumming correctly? These are the questions that get answered while whittling away at the technique portions of guitar lessons. Good technique lays the foundation in which the beginner guitar player’s holistic ability is built on.

Theory

How many notes make up a chord? What notes make up the A major scale? What is a mode? The theory aspect of a guitar lesson revolves around enhancing the musical IQ of the student. Music theory has to do with understanding the possibilities of music (and there are many), which can be an exciting part of any guitar lesson. 

Creativity

Now, taking what you know about technique and music theory, can you create something original? This is one of the most enticing aspects of guitar lessons. Creating your own song, riff, or chord sequence all on your own! Creativity is in some ways like any other muscle in your body. The more you train it, the stronger it becomes! 

Song Based Learning

Let’s pick your favorite song and learn how to play it! When you are breaking down your favorite song on guitar, you’re really touching every area of guitar playing and ability. Maybe you’re mirroring the technique that your favorite artist uses to play that chorus you love; maybe you’re dissecting the chord changes and theory in the bridge section; or maybe you’re appreciating the creative freedom the song endorses. Whatever it is, by learning various aspects of your favorite songs, you are developing a deeper understanding of the instrument and without a doubt having fun doing it. Song based learning lifts the musical “veil” and encourages you to use all of your skills and knowledge to play a song you love. 

These are the cornerstones of any guitar player's journey. Guitar lessons obviously vary with age and ability, and with personal goals and musical taste. Some people want to lay down a heavy metal guitar solo to a sold-out Madison Square Garden one day, and some people would be happy just to strum an acoustic guitar around a campfire with friends. The beauty of guitar lessons with us, is that we cater to both musical aspirations and everything in between.