Welcome to Player's Review

 Hi,  I am David Tidel a  studio musician from Nashville, TN.

I am also a guitar instructor working with aspiring studio guitarist in the Nashville area. Most of my students have purchased guitar lessons online over the years.

Based on this I became curious about the effectiveness of the programs they bought, so I purchased 12 different learn at home guitar systems myself to see if they could really teach someone guitar.

Nine of the online guitar lessons I purchased were very poor quality, but there were 3 exceptions. Here is what I recommend to my students and people that ask.

 

 

Learn & Master Guitar is BY FAR the best guitar training product available online. It includes ten DVDs, five jam-along CDs and a 108 page book. If you're serious about really learning guitar this package if for you. True it is more expensive but when you consider the content it is well worth the investment. The product is the highest quality and most effective beginner to intermediate lessons package available. I personally do not have many beginner students, but when I do accept one I always recommend they purchase Learn and Master Guitar as supplemental; training. This way they can review lessons over and over when I am not available. To make my life easy I use follow the books lesson plan.

When you buy the course, you get access to a members forum where you can discuss your progress, post questions, and chat with other students. This maybe a great asset for most new student, but since I provide one-on-one instructions, I ask my students not to participate in the forum. There can only be one teacher! But if you do not have an instructor this is a GREAT feature since it provides a resource to ask questions and get a response from the creator of the lessons and other students. Very cool feature.

This is a monster learn at home package that is shipped to your home. Do not confuse it with the lower cost, downloadable guitar lesson packages I recommend below. Learn and Master Guitar is in a league of its own.

Jamorama  - The Best of the Software Systems 

Jamorama is easily best of the low priced online instruction courses. It is software based so you have practice in front of the computer. That said the lessons are complete and easy to follow for beginners. And the cost in very affordable. The biggest drawback in needing to be on your computer to practice and it is kind of slow with older computers.

Jamorama includes a training eBook, video instruction and some very cool software to help teach timing and musical notes by ear. The jam along feature is really nice for a low cost package as well.

So if cost is a factor Jamorama is your best solutions. It is the best of the software-based instruction courses.

To Learn More Click Here 

Jamplay  -- Great Monthly Based System 

You do not see a lot of people talking about JamPlay. But I have to admit it is a nice monthly based guitar lesson package. The cool thing is they offer specific song training, and they have training in multiple styles and instructors. It is also an inexpensive program that gives you some variety. Want to learn the latest metal or country song. This is good place to start.

There is a lot of content and they update it frequently. This may be a better package then Jamorama if you already have the basics down, and you are looking to expand your playing styles. It is also cool to get instructions from different teachers as a way of learning techniques in a variety of method.

To Learn More about JamPlay Click Here

Final Recommendations

Based on 30 years of playing and teaching guitar I advise everyone to get a personal instructor. But if this is something you cannot afford, or you want to supplement your private lessons, I highly recommend Learn and Master Guitar. The second two recommendations are not bad for first timers or someone wanting to learn different styles and specific songs.

The 9 other packages I purchased were really not that great and certainly not worth the investment.

Good luck, and remember the music comes from within, and I believe everyone has a song they need to share. Playing the guitar is the most magical way of expression I know. Enjoy and learn no matter what direction you turn.

Rock On,

David Tidel