You know, I do occasionally promote more than one guitar learning course at a time. HOWEVER, I don't just randomly pick something because it looks good. Also, if I do ever have more than one link on this site, it's because there are different courses sometimes that specialize in a particular area of playing.

A good example is Playing through the Blues. It's a digital product that isn't intended to be a complete, end-all, never need another, guitar learning course. It's (obviously) intended to be educational material to teach the blues, and it does that well. Don't let me mislead you though, it does do a good job of teaching lead guitar well, but it mostly concentrates on the Blues genre.

Here's a quote from the author's site. I believe it sums up the course very accurately.

Playing Through The Blues - A Guide for the Lead Guitar Player is the most comprehensive, easiest method to learn blues lead guitar. You don't have to mess with driving back and forth to private lessons, you don't have to alter your schedule around your teacher, and you don't have to devote hours out of every day to a tedious practice schedule.

You will learn every amazing lick, scale, technique, and cool trick that you'll ever need to know ... and that's just the beginning. You'll learn what guys like Eric Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy, SRV, Angus Young, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Robert Cray, and so many more have amazed audiences around the world with.

I've also recommended, and still highly do recommend, the Musicnotes.com Guitar Guru method of learning.

Again, it's not meant to be a complete learning course. It's very specific in what it helps you accomplish. If you haven't checked it out yet, you really need to if you're just wanting to learn some specific songs very quickly. For just learning songs without going through the extremely painful, mind-numbing process of record (guess it's CD now) copying, Guitar Guru can't be beat.

I've got some programs that slow down the songs (while keeping them in key), but that's not the same. Guitar Guru will allow you to slow down the tune, but it has a graphic keyboard that also shows you EXACTLY which notes to play. Additionally, every song has printable music (and TAB) that shows the guitar parts. You couldn't ask for more if you're looking for the quickest way just to learn specific songs.

Musicnotes also has a great library of some classic songs for Guitar Guru, and it's growing more nearly every day. It's a great, huge library, plus they show an info. box at the bottom of the GG page shwoing what tunes will be released soon, and actually allow the customers to suggest which songs that they would like GG sessions for. The cool thing about this option is...THEY ACTUALLY LISTEN!! I can't say enough good things about Musicnotes and their incredibile Guitar Guru software, but read below.

You want to hear what is quite possibly the best testimonial for a company ever ? A while back I had made a very sizable (financially) purchase on some Guitar Guru sessions. I was printing some of the sessions and had a problem (mine, not Musicnote's). I wasn't sure exactly what to do so I called the toll-free number and actually talked to the CEO directly!! She was extremely nice, very helpful, and told me to call back if I had another problem.

You think I don't place this company in high regard ? 

Now, back to Learn and Master Guitar. This program is released by Legacy Learning Systems. If you're not familiar with them, do a little research. Most likely what you find out about Legacy Learning Systems will be enough to sell you on Learn and Master Guitar. What ? That didn't quite do it ? Ok, in case you haven't heard of Steve Krenz, then have a look at his bio.

This guy is the real deal and is the author and instructor of the course. He's worked with the best of the best in the music industry...people like Eric Clapton for example, and is a fantastic communicator and a pleasure to learn from.

I'm not going just reproduce everything here that you're going to see on the Learn and Master Guitar site, there's no reason to. However, I will say, for a program that now (new for 2008) includes 20 DVDs, plus the additional play-along CDs, printed material, student support site, as well as the community site (with over 6,000 active members!), you must have a look at this course if you're serious about wanting to play the guitar.

Look at it this way...for just the price of several weeks of private lessons, you can actually own this complete course. The videos are always there to review anytime that you want.

You could take lessons from a music shop 'instructor' that probably doesn't really even have the credentials to justify the costly lessons, for several years, spend thousands of dollars, and never learn a fraction of what Steve and his outstanding course will provide.

Which way would you rather spend your money ? The more you use the course, the less the lessons cost...think about it.

Just go have a look, view the demonstration and you will be hooked.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention...this course actually won two Telly Awards for excellence in the categories of Education and Use of Music. That's very impressive recognition.