With so many FREE online courses and YouTube videos available, why would anyone pay for private guitar lessons?

It’s a valid question.

I think we are living in a pretty amazing time. You can instantly find a video of your favorite artist and playback the video on YouTube at 1/2 speed. While you’re at it, you can find hundreds of people giving FREE guitar lessons of your favorite songs. Why in the world would anyone PAY for guitar lessons?

Here are my top 3 reasons...

FEEDBACK. “I can play my favorite songs, but it doesn’t quite sound right.” “I want to play fast, what am I doing wrong.” These are common questions from guitar students. They require real human interaction and response. An online teacher can play the part for you and say, “Just do that”. A real live guitar teacher can point out things that will help you on your journey. For example, which fingers are you using? What pedals do you need to get that tone? These are all things that need to happen in the real world.
INTERACTION. To get better, you need to play with other musicians. That is reality. When you play by yourself, your brain processes music differently. You play easy parts faster and harder parts slower. Playing with other musicians forces you to process music in a more uniform way. It forces you to get better!
CHALLENGE. When you play music in isolation, it’s hard to set new goals. Taking private lessons often challenges our habits and comfort zone. Your teacher may recommend a song that’s a little harder than you think you’re capable of. He may challenge you with a new style of music or skill. A good music teacher can help identify your strengths (and weaknesses) and help to push you past where you thought possible.

Tales from the Rock Shop

Why Would You Pay For Guitar Lessons?