subject: Guitar Lessons: The Reasons You Need To Get It [print this page] If you're serious about learning to play the guitar, you should take guitar lessons. You can look up guitar teachers in your area or, these days, you can find recorded guitar lessons on DVDs. What's important is that you find sources of learning the guitar.
You might think that you don't need lessons for learning the guitar because you're excellent at learning by yourself. And it is true that there are self-education resources out there, such as guitar players' magazines, that are very, very helpful and from which you can obviously learn a lot. Nevertheless, without taking some kind of lessons, be they from a live teacher or from recorded videos, you will not progress as far as you desire on your instrument. Lessons provide a structured way of learning, and they include insights that you are probably not going to find in other ways. Guitar teachers, even those who are on recordings, will come up with wisdom and things to clue you in on what you won't manage to find in a magazine or a book.
Guitar lessons are not just for beginners. Even very advanced guitar players can learn something new from another advanced guitar player or guitar teacher. Different guitar players have gathered up different experiences in their careers. Some are more masterful in one style than others. Studying aspects of different genres of music is one of the key ways of becoming a more advanced guitar player.
Just because you intend to be a heavy metal guitar player doesn't mean that you should not learn anything about jazz guitar. Blues guitar players can learn a lot from classical guitar players that will make them better blues masters. And it continues in the same manner.
What you want to do is seek out guitar lessons that are geared toward your level of playing as well as certain aspects of the guitar that you want to get better at. Perhaps you want to get better at finger style technique. Perhaps you want to learn to play guitar faster or more fluidly. Let whatever it is that you want to learn guide you in your choice of lessons.
If you're already an advanced guitar player, extend the restraints of your playing. Find teachers or recorded lessons that can challenge you and expand your playing capability. There's no such thing as being 'too good'.
If you have a child who wants to learn the guitar, don't skimp on getting him lessons. The guidance and sharing of knowledge will go a very long way toward keeping him disciplined and focused.
Remember, people who learn to play guitar for beginners can benefit from guitar lessons. Just choose the type of lessons and the source carefully.
