Online Beginner Guitar Lessons - What Should You Learn From Them?

The Rise of Online Guitar Lessons

In today's digital age, aspiring guitarists have unprecedented access to a wealth of online resources. Unlike in the past, where learning the guitar often required in-person lessons, the internet now offers a plethora of online guitar lessons for beginners. This accessibility is a boon for self-taught musicians, but it can also be overwhelming. With so much information available, it's crucial to know what to focus on to build a strong foundation.

The Six Fundamentals of Beginner Guitar Lessons

To ensure you're on the right track, your online beginner guitar lessons should cover the following six fundamentals:

1. How to Hold the Guitar

Sitting Position

• Sit comfortably at the edge of a chair.
• Keep your back straight and relaxed to avoid back pain.
• Hold the guitar close to your chest or stomach.
• Rest the curved part of the guitar on your thigh.

Standing Position

• Use a strap for support.
• Adjust the strap so the guitar is positioned mid-body.
• Ensure the weight is balanced for easy access to all parts of the guitar.

2. Hand Positions

Left Hand (For Right-Handed Players)

• Place your thumb on the back of the fingerboard.
• Space your four fingers evenly, with the middle and ring fingers straight on the fingerboard.
• Slightly curve your index and little fingers towards the frets.

Right Hand

• Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger at a 90-degree angle.

Note: Initial discomfort and finger pain are common but will subside with regular practice. Warm-up exercises can help build strength, coordination, and speed.

3. Chords

Chords are combinations of three or more notes played together. Beginner lessons should teach you basic chords and chord progressions, often using diagrams or pictures of the guitar neck for easy reference.

Common Challenges:

• Difficulty in chord progressions.
• Remembering chord shapes.
• Moving smoothly from one chord to another.

Tip: Practice taking the shortest route to change chords while maintaining the general position of your left hand.

4. How to Strum

Strumming involves two basic strokes: downstroke and upstroke. Use your pick to brush the strings midway between the bridge and the end of the neck.

Common Issues:

• Strumming may seem easy but can be challenging for beginners.
• Difficulty in achieving a smooth, consistent strum.

Solution: Look for lessons that address these issues and provide techniques for effective strumming.

5. How to Read Tablature

Tablature (TAB) is a simple method of writing music for the guitar. It shows the strings as six lines and uses numbers to represent the frets, making it easy to recognize notes.

Importance: Reading tablature is an essential skill that allows you to learn thousands of songs online.

6. Easy Guitar Songs

Beginner lessons should include easy guitar songs that use simple chords. Playing along with tracks provided at the end of each lesson helps reinforce what you've learned.

Tip: Even if the songs aren't your favorite style, they are valuable for practicing the chords and techniques you've just learned.

The Importance of Structured Lessons

Good online beginner guitar lessons are developed by professional musicians to teach you fundamental skills and lay a solid foundation, regardless of the music style you eventually pursue. Each lesson should be broken down into small, manageable steps to prevent information overload. A well-defined structure, with each module building on the previous one, ensures steady progress and skill development.

Interesting Stats About Learning Guitar

• Growth of Online Music Education: The global online music education market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.68% from 2021 to 2026 (source).
• Popularity of Guitar: According to Fender, 16 million people in the U.S. picked up the guitar for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic (source).
• Learning Retention: Studies show that students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only 8-10% in a classroom (source).

By focusing on these six fundamentals and choosing well-structured lessons, you'll be well on your way to mastering the guitar. Happy playing!