Can You Really Teach Yourself Guitar? Unveiling the Secrets to Success

Self-taught guitarists often affirm that learning guitar independently is entirely possible. Their success is rooted in dedication, organization, and a relentless pursuit of personal goals. These traits set apart successful guitarists from those who fall short. But how do they achieve this? What resources do they use, and what should you focus on next? Here are the top three tips to succeed if you want to teach yourself guitar.

1. Develop a Structured Lesson Plan

One of the most common pitfalls for beginners is the lack of a structured lesson plan. Many novices jump from one tutorial to another, sourcing lessons from books, websites, or magazines. These fragmented lessons often lack coherence, making it difficult for beginners to grasp essential guitar concepts. This disjointed approach can lead to frustration and a sense of stagnation, causing many to give up prematurely.

A well-structured beginner's course is crucial. It should cover the basics—such as proper sitting and standing positions, hand placement, holding the pick, and tuning the guitar. From there, it should progress to forming chords and scales, rhythm and strumming patterns, various music styles, and advanced techniques. Sequential lessons help you understand concepts better and improve your guitar playing systematically.

Why spend countless hours piecing together random lessons when you can invest in a comprehensive course for a reasonable fee? Many self-teaching guitar courses are designed by experienced musicians and can be downloaded instantly. For those without constant computer access, hardcopy editions with written lessons and DVDs are available.

A quality self-teaching guitar course should include:

• Video demonstrations
• Goals to accomplish and practice exercises after each lesson
• Play-along songs to reinforce new concepts
• Live support from tutors for assistance

2. Establish a Learning Plan

With a structured lesson plan in hand, the next step is to set up a learning and practice schedule. Determine how often and how long you will dedicate to self-teaching guitar each week. Decide on the number of lessons you aim to complete or if you need to spend extra time on challenging lessons. Daily practice is essential for improvement. The initial discomfort or soreness in your fingers will subside as you become accustomed to playing.

Sample Practice Schedule

3. Cultivate Self-Discipline

With both a lesson plan and a learning schedule in place, the final ingredient is self-discipline. Your success in teaching yourself guitar hinges on your dedication and discipline in following through with all lessons and practice exercises. Master each lesson in sequence before moving on to the next. Skipping difficult lessons or neglecting practice will hinder your progress.

Interesting Stats

• Self-taught musicians: According to a survey by Fender, 72% of guitar players consider themselves self-taught. (Source)
• Practice time: A study by the University of Cambridge found that consistent practice of 20 minutes a day can significantly improve musical skills. (Source)
• Learning resources: The global online music education market is expected to grow by $5.78 billion from 2021 to 2025, indicating a rising trend in self-teaching through digital platforms. (Source)

Conclusion

Teaching yourself guitar is not as daunting as it may seem. The challenge lies in navigating the plethora of lessons available from various sources. A well-structured beginner's course is akin to having a good tutor. By following the right lesson content and plan, you can become a proficient guitarist. Dedication, organization, and self-discipline are your keys to success.

By following these guidelines and leveraging the right resources, you can confidently embark on your journey to becoming a self-taught guitarist. Happy playing!