The Guitar Players Club

In the days not so long ago, even when I first started to learn to play the guitar in the 1970's, there was no where near the available resources available to aid the student as there is today.

Obviously the Internet is the single best development to help not only guitar players, but those interested in any profession, hobby or interest on virtually any topic.

Just a while ago an instructor, the printed book, tapes, recorded and live music were about the only options to help a student learn. There is so much more that I won't even be able to mention it all here I'm sure.

Mentioning every single topic or techonolgy isn't my goal however. My point of this post is to let you know to use every possible resource that might help you. As I mention elsewhere on this blog, and my other sites, I

believe that a live instructor is a must, at least in the beginning stages of learning. That's primarily to notice, and stop any bad habits or poor technique the student may start to develop. Additionally, of course, for the experience of the teacher.

Even when using a teacher though, there's no reason not to employ the wealth of other options available to enhance the progress, and make it more enjoyable.

As I mentioned, the Internet offers many of the alternate means of learning. There are many, many websites that offer free and paid lessons...some just in the form of guitar tablature, but others having very good video lessons.

There are other 'systems' and courses, and down loadable programs as well. Some you purchase outright, some are subscription services. Some have different programs that cover a specific genre of music. You could spend hours and hours looking over the multitudes of available online options for the aspiring guitarist.

With the increased speeds of computers, and the advanced stages of technology in general, there are also many new options in software and hardware available. I can remember when, if you wanted to learn a solo to a song, it was a matter of putting the 'album' on the turntable, slowing it to 161/2rpm, and copying it by ear.

This was a long and tedious process. Now there's hardware and software, (including the computer itself) that will allow you to easily play back a tune at a slower speed to make learning it a piece of cake.

There's also programs that will actually show the played performance on a fretboard, and allow the student to slow it down. I can't really think of a better way to learn that fast solo...including from another human.

If you've really got the desire to learn to play the guitar, and the dedication it takes, there's no better time than now. You have all the tools anyone could ever hope for.

Here's a link for one of the best options for learning. I've mentioned it here before, it's something I use and I know it's a great product.

So, for little more cost than the guitar itself, you can learn...and learn as quickly as you brain and hands are capable. Just go do it.

Also, never forget...even with all the tools available, there's always the need for daily practice.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 10:02 pm and is filed under Learning.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.