Sunday, November 26, 2006

 

What to Look for in an Online Guitar Course

What to Look for in an Online Guitar Course
By Ben Edwards

The internet has opened up many opportunities to have information transferred around the world. One of the more recent developments on the internet has been the proliferation of ‘how to’ websites trying to sell their programs online. This article will focus on this and particularly on learning how to play guitar sites.

The first things that you should think about when you are looking into learning the guitar are your goals and ambitions. It is important to develop are clear vision about where you want to go. This could be a dream of rock stardom or just simply having the goal to be able to play a few simple songs.

There are many ways you can go about learning the guitar. You could try and learn the songs of your favorite band go to a guitar teacher or go online and find an online course. I personally think just going out and learning songs is not the best way to go. The reason for this is that you will not learn systematically. Also you will only learn the techniques used in one genre of music. This can lead to you having a narrow set of skills.

I think going to a guitar teacher is a good idea as it is good to have someone who can lead you though the process to become a good guitarist. However constant practice with a teacher can be expensive. For this reason many people are moving towards buying online guitar teaching packages. I personally think going this route is the way to go. These days there are many affordable and comprehensive packages available online.

So if you are going to purchase an online lessons program what should you look for? Like I said there are a lot of good products out there, but there are also some duds. For this reason I will give you some things to look for when deciding what to buy when you are in the market for an online learning product.

I think the most important part of any guitar learning system is that it is systematic. An online guitar course should be able to replace a teacher and for this reason it needs to put in place a systematic learning program so you can become a complete player.

Teaching all the important chords is a very important thing for any guitarist to learn. Chords form the basis of nearly all guitar music. For the beginner learning chords is a critical part of developing a comprehensive skill base. Chords are also relatively easy to learn and for this reason you can build up a reasonable repertoire without to much difficultly. Like I said chords are the building bocks for not only most guitar music, but even non-guitar music is usually based around chords.

Focusing on rhythm is critical because all instruments use rhythm. If you can develop a good sense of rhythm your playing will become more developed. Any course that develops your rhythm is valuable. Rhythm can be difficult to learn so it can be hard to find a course that clearly teaches rhythm. Rhythm is often overlooked when purchasing a lesson course. For this reason I would recommend you look into the way rhythm is taught on any course you are interested in. Honestly I don’t think you need a course that has a lot of songs. You can go to www.harmonycentral.com and you will be able to nearly any well known song on guitar. For this reason it is not necessary to find a course that provides a lot of different Tabs.

So when you are shopping around for an online course take some time to think about the factors that I have briefly gone over here. Also don’t forget you are individual and you should look for something that will also suit you as an individual.

Just a quick note on the Jamorama program; when I was first researching this piece I could only find two lessons review sites that were constantly updated. These were http://www.guitarlessonsreview.com/ and http://www.learnguitar2day.com/ ; as both of these sites recommended Jamorama I went to website and checked it out. At www.jamorama.com you can find some free lessons to see if you think the course will suit you. If you like it they will ask you to pay but you can trial the program for free so it is worth checking out.

Ben Edwards has been playing the guitar for more than 12 years. He has been involved in the music industry for 6 years. He has worked as a session musician recording in some of the world’s best recording studios. Ben has also written and co-producing two full length studio albums, and he has toured internationally and shared the stage with many top international acts.

Ben continues to play the guitar and recently recorded another music video. His main focus, though, is teaching; This includes private tutoring and continuing to develop Jamorama. You can learn more about Jamorama – the ultimate guitar learning kit! by visiting this site: www.jamorama.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

 

Taking Guitar Lessons Online

There are many reasons why a person might like to learn to play the guitar online. There are hundreds of sites on the internet that have been created to help people learn about this great instrument. It has been proven that the traditional methods, which include using books and magazines, are not effective for a person who wants to learn to play without spending time memorizing chords and learning through visual tools.

Take advantage of this resource to learn fast and inexpensively. Here are some features on learning how to play the guitar online:

1.A beginner has the benefit of interactive tool such as audio and video presentations at web sites. These tools can be referred to repeatedly without the embarrassment of having to ask a question of a teacher.

2.Most online guitar lesson include lessons on how to read guitar tab and the student will be able to access high quality tablature. The TAB method allows a guitar student to easily learn songs on the guitar. This is where the graphical and audio presentation really helps the student.

3.Online lessons can be more effective then hiring a personal guitar instructor. There are techniques and methods a student can study and investigate using online lessons.

4.The other great advantage is the ability to consult the lessons when ever it is convenient to the student. Unlike a personal instructor who is only available on their schedule.

5.Online lessons will help a person develop his own technique of playing the guitar. Many lesson packages include jam tracks, which make it easy to solo and learn how to play with a supporting band. This is great for learning timing and how to improvise over various chord changes.

6.A person will save a considerable amount of money because the cost of most lesson package is so reasonable. Hiring a personal instructor may be expensive especially if the guitar student is a slow learner. On average it will save the guitarist about a $1,000 per year compared to traditional guitar lessons.

7.A person will learn the correct way to use finger style techniques and realize that he will have more knowledge of picking and strumming.

8.A person may learn how to write his own songs and be creative. There is a variety of lessons available that will help you achieve whatever goal you are pursuing.

Online lessons are especially created for people who are interested in learning to play the guitar with little or no effort because all of the needed tools and information are there with just one click. They also offer the advantage of low cost, interactivity and the ability to be repetitive.

Article Tags:
Guitar Lessons, Learn Guiar, Online Guitar Lessons, Guitar Ebooks

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Bill McRea is the publisher of GuitarWarehouse.com and Guitar-playing-technique.com. Please visit our site: http://www.guitar-playing-techniques.com/lessons/index.htm

 

Beginner Guitar Lessons Online Made Easy!

Have you just bought a guitar or are you thinking of getting one, but you just do not have the first clue on how to strike a chord? If so, getting guitar lessons is definitely something you should consider.

It may be that you can even play a little bit already, but taking guitar lessons can still help to improve your playing abilities and your confidence.

The lessons that are available are categorized in nine different sections – – The basics – Technique – Chords – Scales – Tuning – Music Theory – Music Styles – Guitar Tech – Forming a band

The categories are broken down into individual lessons, offering you the chance to start from the very basics and work your way up to even being part of a band.

What You Need to Know About The Basics

So what should you expect to learn from the first lesson? Well, as with everything, it is important to start with the very basics and work your way up. It is a good idea to know your way around a guitar and you should expect to know all of this after your first lesson. You should also learn how to look after your guitar, tune it and also how to use the pick.

Generally, once you know the basics on how to look after the guitar, it is good to start off learning the basic chords before trying anything else. Many people find that the best way to start is by learning the G chord and working your way from there.

Obviously, before you start, you will need the basic equipment. Basic equipment includes a guitar, a guitar pick to play the chords, a comfortable chair and it is also wise to have a great deal of patience. Make sure that you buy quite a few guitar picks as they are small and they can be easy to lose or break. It may be an idea too, to buy medium gauge ones to start with because they are not too hard or too flimsy and they are good for beginners.

Now you know all about the guitar, it is now time to learn how to hold it correctly before you start to play anything. So grab your guitar and sit comfortably in your chair with out slouching, as it will bring on bad habits while playing the guitar. Your instructor will talk you through each step and, before you know it, you will be putting together your first sequence of chords.

Overall, to play a guitar the only thing you really need is passion. If it is something that you feel you want to succeed in, having guitar lessons will help you immensely. The more advanced a person becomes, the more tricks they can perform with their guitar that will help to bring confidence to their playing. Remember it is a good idea to keep practicing and it will soon pay off.


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For more information on guitar lessons please visit my blog at Guitar Lessons. You can also learn to play the guitar online here Beginner Online Guitar Lesson .

 

Your First Guitar

YOUR FIRST GUITAR
by Kathy Unruh

Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've met the love of your life and made that big commitment, you're probably excited about building a good relationship with your new partner. But where do you begin? You've just come home from the music store with this beautiful, mysterious stranger, or perhaps even rescued an abandoned orphan from the flee market or pawn shop. Cradling it lovingly in your hands, you admire it's graceful form and captivating voice. Before you lay several items that you acquired along with your purchase- a case, strap, picks, and of course, that book or video explaining "everything you need to know in 10 easy lessons." You stare at it blankly, wondering what lanquage it is.

This is often the experience of a new guitar enthusiast. "Love at first sight" engenders high hopes of playing like a Rock Star overnight. Then reality begins to sink in and you reallize that it's going to require some effort and hard work to make this happen! But that doesn't mean it can't be fun. A positive attitude will go a long way in helping you meet your goals. In fact, setting some short-term and long-term goals is one of the first things you should do. Here are a few suggestions:

GET TO KNOW YOUR GUITAR

- Familiarize yourself with its various parts
- memorize the name of each string and how they are numbered
- Understand what type of guitar you have
- Learn how to take proper care of your instrument

GET TO KNOW YOURSELF

- What type of music do you enjoy?
- Do you like to sing?
- Do you want to be in a band or play professionally someday?
- Do you just want to play for your own personal enjoyment?

I often receive calls for help from individuals who are frustated because they are having trouble understanding the book or video that came with their purchase. If this is the case for you, consider taking some lessons from a private instructor. It can be a great way to get moving in the right direction. If you set up a weekly guitar lesson, then you will probably begin to establish a regular practice routine too. This is because you will feel a sense of obligation and accountability to your teacher. A teacher can also watch your progress and offer helpful advise and critique so that you will be able to develop good technique. This is an invaluable asset which you will be unlikely to get from a book or video.

Local music stores often have someone who teaches right out of their store, or they may be able to provide you with a list of teachers in your area. If there is a college or university nearby, be sure to check the bulletin boards and school newspapers. you could also contact the Music Department to see if they know of any instructors who may be offering private or class lessons during after school hours.

Most importantly, be sure to take the time to do a little "personal inventory" and get to know your instrument by answering the questions in this article. Then, you will be able to establish a good mental picture of where you are now and where you want to be in the future.
FREE Reprint Rights - You may publish this article in your e-zine or on your web site as long as you include the following author bio/blurb below.

Kathy Unruh is a singer/songwriter and webmaster of ABC Learn Guitar. She has been writing songs and providing guitar lessons to students of all ages for over 20 years. For free guitar lessons, plus tips and resources on songwriting, recording and creating a music career, please visit: www.abclearnguitar.com

Saturday, November 25, 2006

 

Guitar Program Review

Do you know that nowadays you can effectively learn to play guitar in the comfort of your home? Usually if you want to learn to play the guitar you will find a local guitar teacher with a given per hour rate and you scheduled a set time for lessons. Yes, with personal guidance and regular practices you will learn the guitar. But is it what you really want to play?

Today, there are a lot of guitar lesson programs on the web. So how do you choose? Today I will review two of the more popular programs.

Unlocking The Guitar

The Beginner's Guide to Unlocking the Guitar is a downloadable and computer-based training. The writer shows you step-by-step how to play any of your favorite songs. It also does not have video, just audio lessons with pictures. The "Press and Listen" sound files require no downloading make it quite convenience. If you seem to be having difficulty learning with the more traditional methods and want to pick up a few songs quickly, The Beginner's Guide to Unlocking the Guitar may be worth a try.

If you are just starting out, Unlock The Guitar will give you a fast start. It comes with a full 60 day money back guarantee.


Get Details about Unlock The Guitar here


Jamorama

This is the best of the low-cost, software-based guitar instruction courses. Because it is software-based (no DVDs or CDs), you will have to practice your lessons in front of the computer. However, the training is quite extensive and the computer lessons are fairly easy to follow.

The video lessons are of high quality: they show the right and left hands simultaneously and also a fretboard diagram to show the left hand finger positions. If anyone were to follow this course and practice the material regularly, they would develop a pretty solid intermediate guitar playing foundation.

I found the Jamorama material to include amusing and entertaining games and lessons for the beginning player, but lacking in advanced features for musicians that may want to record there own arrangements. But if cost is a factor and you don't mind taking lessons from a computer, Jamorama is not a bad way to go. It is the best of the software-based instruction courses.

Try Jamorama and the risk-free 60 day trial offer

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