by James Vigh

Created on: September 01, 2010   Last Updated: October 05, 2010

In the human experience, when we try to learn how to do anything, we tend to look for the easiest way, or the fastest way and sometimes even the cheapest way. Yes, sometimes this attitude works, but it’s a mistake to generalize and think that this is the best way to learn.

And it’s a mistake to cultivate this idea in your brain if you are considering learning how to play the guitar.

The fact is that not only is everyone’s talent level different, we also learn differently. What may work great for person “A” may not work at all for person “B”. Because of this, the whole attitude of trying to learn the guitar “Fastest, Easiest, Cheapest” may not be the way we should be thinking here.

Instead, think of the best way or ways to get started.

The guitar is one of the few instruments that most people can learn something recognizable fairly quickly. It is also a “glamour” instrument. You don’t hear about “Viola Hero” or “Piccolo Hero”.

People, especially young people want different things regarding the guitar. Some just want to learn enough to be able to strum through some of their favorite songs. Some have higher aspirations. Some will change their minds about what they want several times over the years. This is natural.

Some people want to play, and even be like the guitarists they see on MTV and VH1, and they are looking for the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to accomplish this.

So they look to the internet for answers.

What makes matters complicated for the beginner is the plethora of “the best way to learn” opinions – especially on the internet where many of these “opinions” are self-serving and commercial. In short, there are a lot of “best ways” guitar courses out there. So who should a beginner trust? What should that trust be based on?

A beginner can read on-line reviews about many of the internet courses that exist, but many of these so-called reviews were written by the authors of the courses themselves.

There’s also a lot of free information on the internet. But much of this is of questionable value.

So starting off by using the internet as a resource, although it can be (and has been) done, may do more harm than good for the beginning student. Care is needed.

Some beginners merely want to learn enough to be able to play casually and look for information on the internet or from other people to satisfy their own

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>