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
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.
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
Dano
May 09, 2008 at 8:18am
Check out http://truefire.com/index2.html. Great site for guitarists of all levels. Broad, relevant and plentiful content with instruction and video that is easy to follow and understand. Don't think though, based on that last statement, that this is a beginners only site - they really have some amazing stuff on here for players of all levels and interests.
Anonymous
May 08, 2008 at 5:54am
I would suggest checking out "next level guitar". you can find samples lesson on youtube, along with many other teachers.
I also check out some guys at guitar player TV.
you can learn something from any teacher but you get the most from one that can relate the material to you. for me David is the best "video" or live teacher I have used.
and it's really a personal choice.
Anonymous
May 08, 2008 at 5:51am
www.licklibrary.com. Don't waste your time with the sites listed here. If you have a little guitar experience want to play some great guitar songs right away head over to this site.
Anonymous
May 07, 2008 at 8:41pm
I'd really like it if you could tell us who's writing stuff here because we may know your editors but when someone else shows up we have no idea whether or not they have any expert experience or anything.
Roberto Baldwin
May 08, 2008 at 9:05am
Hi,
Here is some info about Carolyn;
Carolyn Keating is a freelance editor/writer and musician. She compiled the first edition of Digital Home Recording (Backbeat Books) and has written for Electronic Musician, Home Recording, and Music Alive! magazines, among others.
-Robbie
