Learn to Play Guitar-DVDs

I think a lot of more advanced guitar players write off the potential benefits of using a learn to play guitar dvd to study guitar on your own at home versus taking private lessons from a teacher.

The truth is I was once one of those people. As I started to learn guitar about 15 years ago the dvd course was not yet around, how ever there were lots of VHS tapes and books you could use to learn. I was not a fan as I had tried using the books and they just weren't that great. I found it tough to follow and really wanted someone I could ask if I was doing things right or not.

Now with new technological advancements, dvd's have become a lot less expensive then they were and with the web you can actually gather some interaction between you, the student, and the instructor.

A course I've found myself using these past few months has been Learn & Master guitar. While this program was designed with beginners in mind it can teach a lot to those of you who are not complete beginners (keep in mind you'll be skipping the first few lessons).

The PROS of this DVD Course

Cost: Private lessons will cost you between $600 and $800 a year if you take one lesson a week. The cost of a dvd course is about $200 dollars and if you get a good one, like that I described above, then you're getting a massive amount of content for a fraction of the price that will last you at least a year if not longer.

Quality: This doesn't always happen but sometimes we find a guitar teacher via Craigslist of Kijiji and well they're not up to snuff we'll say. You end up learning to play a bunch of 70's rock tunes but that's about it. The quality of a teacher who has produced and filmed an extensive guitar lesson dvd course is likely higher then that you'll find on a classified website.

Support: At one time it used to be that you couldn't get any support from a video guitar lesson. Today you can get online support, sometimes right from the actual instructor that created the lessons. With the Learn and Mater learn guitar dvd you get unlimited access to their support forum and community.

Reference: Something often not thought of but once you're done taking lessons from a teacher you have to retain everything. Other wise you're going to be paying for more lessons later on. Using a learn to play guitar dvd means you always have access to the lessons you watch. Referring back to old material is no problem what so ever.

The Cons

There's no question that no everyone has the discipline to teach themselves to play guitar at home. Often some people will buy a program like this guitar dvd but never get around to actually using it. Don't be one of those people.

If you know that learning on your own, watching videos practicing etc. is too much for you then possibly taking private lessons is the better alternative. The cost is more but most people find there is more of a drive to practice so they don't look silly in front of their instructor.

Also if you're not a tech savvy person (you probably are though or you wouldn't be reading this) then watching dvd's and accessing online websites for support might not be your idea of a good time.

All in all using a learn to play guitar dvd program has primarily good sides if you are a self starter, enjoy technology and like saving money. Of course for a select few guitar lessons from a private teacher will still appeal more.

The learn to play guitar dvd course pictured at right is the one discussed above. It comes with 20 dvds, 5 cds, 100+ page lesson book and access to their online support website and student community.

Compared with any other learn guitar program out there it's the best.