Still have dreams of being the next Jimi Hendrix or Elton John? But your guitar or piano/keyboard is now gathering dust in the corner because you don’t have the time or the money to spend taking lessons, right? Well, dust it off, because online lessons may be the answer to your dilemma.

Online lessons are much cheaper than in-person lessons, which typically cost $50 or more an hour; you can take a lesson at home whenever you want, or even on the go with a laptop and portable instrument; and with streaming video you can see exactly how your instructor plays the melodies and chords. Also, unlike package deals that send you DVDs and books, online material is not static—new lessons are continually added, and in some cases you can select from a variety of instructors. Online lesson forums also allow you to get feedback from your teachers and have them or other students answer your questions, listen to your music, and more.

Below are recommended sites for subscription-based online lessons to help you become the rock star you've always dreamed of becoming.

Becoming a Guitar God

GUITAR TRICKS

Lessons taught by: 45 professional guitarists

For: Beginning to advanced guitar students

Style(s) taught: Acoustic, alternative, blues, bluegrass, classical, country, folk, funk, jazz, metal, rock, rockabilly, surf, world; also over 40 different guitarist styles including Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page

No. of free lessons: 24

Membership includes: Access to all 3800+ lessons as well as free software including a tuner and metronome, ability to jam along with over 140 backing tracks and interact with/learn from other musicians in the member forum

What you'll learn: Alternate picking, bending, hammer-ons/pull-offs, harmonics, slide guitar, slap guitar, sweep picking, tapping, tremolo, music theory, etc.

New lessons added: Daily

Multimedia offered: Downloadable video; printable sheet music, chord charts, tab

Quality of A/V: Very good; clear view of picking/strumming and fingering on fretboard, graphic overlay showing what note to play when

Additional: Some lessons include gear settings such as delay/amp combos to achieve a certain sound

Cost: $14.95/mo.

JAMPLAY

Lessons taught by: 14 professional guitarists

For: Beginning to advanced guitar students

Style(s) taught: Blues, bluegrass, classical, Hawaiian slack key, jazz, rock, metal

No. of free lessons: 10

Membership includes: 116 hours of lessons, 24/7 help from teachers, access to full chord library, ability to interact with other members in the JamPlay community forum

What you'll learn: Tuning and setup, barre & power chords, modes & scales, fingerstyle, tapping, sweep and alternate picking, jazz techniques, etc., as well as songs including “Message in a Bottle,” “Brown-Eyed Girl,” “Purple Haze,” “Back in Black.”

New lessons added: Weekly

Multimedia offered: High–def video; printable tab, chord charts, exercises

Quality of A/V: Excellent; includes clear view of picking/strumming and fingering on fretboard

Additional: 100% money-back guarantee in first week if not satisfied

Cost: $19.95/mo.—limited-time offer