Learning guitar through YouTube can be an enticing option for beginners, offering free, easy access to a wealth of tutorials. However, there are several pros and cons to consider when using YouTube as your primary source of learning.
Pros:
1. Free and Accessible: There’s no doubt that YouTube provides a vast range of lessons, covering nearly every guitar technique, song, or style. You can jump from one topic to another, getting advice from different teachers at no cost.
2. Learn at Your Own Pace: With YouTube, you control the pace. You can pause, rewind, and rewatch lessons, perfect for reviewing tricky parts until you’ve nailed them.
3. Variety: Want to learn a specific song, style, or technique? YouTube has it all. With a simple search, you can find multiple perspectives on the same subject, helping you better understand concepts.
Cons:
1. Lack of Structure: One of the main drawbacks is the absence of a clear, progressive learning path. Beginners might jump from video to video without mastering key foundational concepts. This can lead to gaps in knowledge, which could cause frustration down the line.
2. Inconsistent Quality: Not all content is created equal. Some videos may offer poor explanations, outdated techniques, or even incorrect information. This inconsistency could slow your progress or even teach you bad habits.
3. Overwhelm and Distraction: YouTube can be overwhelming. With so much content available, beginners might struggle to decide what to focus on or fall down a rabbit hole of unrelated videos, leading to scattered learning.
Why Invest in an Online Course?
If you’re just starting, an online beginner guitar course provides a structured and guided approach to learning the fundamentals. Courses ensure you’re progressing logically, covering core topics such as chords, scales, rhythm, and basic theory in a well-paced manner. After all, the fundamentals can be self-taught with some discipline and effort. Once you’ve established a solid foundation, YouTube can be a great resource for expanding your knowledge and hearing different takes on the topics you’ve learned.
Until we finalise the Guitar Jamarama Beginner course, we will be offering a variety of free and easy-to-understand music theory tips for guitar. Visit our “Why Learn Music Theory?” article and download the Basic Scales in a Nutshell pdf.
Moving Beyond the Basics
When you’re more comfortable with the guitar, you’ll have a clearer idea of the areas where you need extra help. At this point, seeking out personal guidance from a guitar teacher can accelerate your progress. But instead of hiring a teacher for regular lessons, consider a coaching approach—someone who helps you at specific milestones in your learning path. This allows for more targeted guidance without the pressure of weekly lessons. I recommend reading our article, “When is it time to get a guitar teacher?” to explore this option further.
Conclusion
YouTube is a fantastic tool for expanding on what you learn in a structured course, providing different perspectives and tips once the basics are covered. However, for beginners, it’s essential to have a clear roadmap to avoid the pitfalls of scattered learning. Starting with a well-structured course and then using YouTube to supplement your progress is a smarter, more efficient way to learn.
By combining structure with freedom, you can fast-track your journey and enjoy playing more confidently.