How to Teach Yourself Guitar in 2024 (Save YEARS of WASTED TIME)

Summary

In this insightful video, a self-taught guitarist shares five essential tips to help beginners overcome the high dropout rate in learning guitar. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using free online resources like YouTube and Songsterr, and encourages players to focus on practical play without excessive gear. Key strategies include setting a consistent practice schedule with specific, achievable goals and ensuring the learning process remains enjoyable. By following these tips, aspiring guitarists can improve their skills and stay motivated, ultimately becoming part of the 10% who successfully continue their musical journey.

Takeaways

• 🎸 90% of beginner guitarists quit within the first year, but you can beat the odds with the right approach.
• 🎥 YouTube and Songster are essential free resources for learning guitar effectively.
• 🎵 Always listen to the song before attempting to learn it; this helps internalize the melody.
• 📜 Use tabs as a supplementary resource, but always cross-reference with performance videos for accuracy.
• 🛠️ You don’t need expensive gear as a beginner; an acoustic guitar and a tuning app are sufficient.
• 👌 Focus on fingerstyle playing initially to develop dexterity and strength in your picking hand.
• 🕒 Practice is key; schedule your sessions and stick to them to avoid dropping out during challenging phases.
• 📈 Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to track your progress.
• 😃 Make learning fun by prioritizing songs you enjoy and keeping your guitar visible at home.
• 🎚️ As you advance, consider investing in gear that enhances your playing experience, like a looper pedal.

Q & A

What percentage of people trying to learn guitar quit in the first year?

90% of people trying to learn guitar quit in the first year.

What are the two main resources recommended for learning guitar?

The two main resources recommended are YouTube and Songster.

Why is it important to listen to a song before trying to learn it on the guitar?

Listening to a song helps internalize the melody and notes, allowing your brain to associate certain notes with fingerings and frets, which accelerates learning.

What is the purpose of cross-referencing tabs with a performance video?

Cross-referencing tabs with a performance video helps with note recognition and ensures the accuracy of what you're learning, as tabs can often be wrong or lack rhythmic information.

What is the author's stance on buying guitar gear as a beginner?

The author believes that beginners should not feel pressured to buy extensive gear, suggesting that a good acoustic guitar is sufficient until the player is sure they want to continue.

What are the advantages of learning fingerstyle instead of using a pick?

Learning fingerstyle develops dexterity and strength in the right hand more quickly than using a pick.

What is 'the hump' in a guitar learning journey?

'The hump' refers to a challenging phase where practice feels like a chore, and progress becomes difficult, which is when many beginners tend to quit.

What does the author suggest for setting practice schedules and goals?

The author suggests creating a schedule that is realistic and manageable, along with setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to maintain motivation.

How can a guitarist keep the learning process fun?

To keep learning fun, prioritize songs you enjoy, keep your guitar visible, and be kind to yourself about meeting goals to avoid burnout.

What is the recommended investment for guitarists as they advance?

The author recommends investing in a looper pedal as it opens up many possibilities for jamming and makes playing more enjoyable.