Is It Worth Getting Guitar Lessons? (For Newbies!)

Learning to play the guitar is a tremendous challenge. This instrument is intricate, versatile, and there are far too many techniques for one person to learn. Everyone who picks up a guitar to learn how to play wonders if it is worthwhile going to guitar lessons or if they should try to find their own way on the instrument? Is it worth getting guitar lessons?

Guitar lessons are worthwhile for all new guitarists. Learning from a good teacher helps progress guitar abilities quickly. Good teachers answer questions well, help students progress, prevent bad habits, and provide clear musical direction. It is worth getting guitar lessons. 

There are several ways to learn to play the guitar, and there are many different techniques, musical styles, and methods that every guitarist can learn. There are also several different resources for guitar learning material, which leads many to wonder if self-learning is better than going to guitar lessons? Let’s find out if guitar lessons are worthwhile. 

Are Guitar Lessons Worthwhile?

When anyone picks up a guitar to begin the journey of learning the instrument, they are always confronted with the same decision: should they go to lessons, or should they try to learn the instrument on their own?

A person playing his guitar

The truth is that every beginner guitarist can benefit from some form of guitar lesson. The guitar is a very complicated instrument, and there is far that goes into playing it well than merely knowing where to put your fingers. 

There is a myriad of guitar techniques, methods, playing styles, and musical generals that guitarists must learn when figuring out this instrument, and having someone to guide you along the way is exceedingly beneficial. 

There are many advantages that come along with having a guitar teacher, including the fact that they can help the student prevent bad habits, they can fix hindrances as they occur rather than allowing them to form massive obstacles that are difficult to overcome, and the student has a second pair of eyes to look our for mistakes issues along the way. 

A good guitar teacher will not only teach their student how to play the guitar, but they will also teach their students essential musical skills and vital aspects of learning an instrument, such as how to practice well and when to rest. 

A guitarist who learns from a teacher receives direction and consistent accountability, and they have someone to ask questions. Asking questions and receiving helpful answers is the best way to progress quickly on the guitar. 

Having a guitar teacher also provides the student with someone who is far more experienced than they are to play music with. Playing music with musicians who are better than you is the best way to get good at that instrument. 

In short, it is worthwhile to go to guitar lessons. Guitar lessons are not always beneficial, and it is important to find the right teacher, but if you are beginning your guitar journey, having a good teacher can help you progress far more quickly. 

Should Every Guitarist Go To Lessons?

Many guitar players find themselves wondering if they should go and take some lessons to improve their playing ability. Should every guitarist go to lessons, or are lessons reserved for those players who are at the very beginning of their guitar journey?

The truth is that every guitarist has things to learn and bad habits to undo. Every guitarist, regardless of their playing ability or skill level, could benefit from taking some lessons from someone who is better than they are or from a guitarist who is an expert in a musical style or technique that they are yet to master. 

Not every guitarist needs to go to lessons formally, but every guitarist can benefit from finding another good guitarist and asking them to teach them some things. 

Beginner guitarists should feel encouraged to go to lessons, but advanced players should rather seek another musician to jam with and learn from rather than a formal teacher to give them structured lessons. 

Can You Learn Guitar Without Lessons?

Many guitarists quickly find that there is a very wide range of guitar learning material and lessons available online, and they then find themselves wondering if going to lessons is worthwhile when there is so much information and material available for free?

How to practice guitar banner

There is plenty to learn from online and free material, but there is nothing that compares to going to in-person lessons with a good teacher. It is impossible to ask a video a question, a video cannot give you feedback, and a video cannot see if you are doing it right. 

There is much to learn from online materials, and they should be an aspect of your guitar journey, but taking those materials, videos, and questions to a teacher who can help you manage the process and get you moving in the right direction is a far better way to go about it. 

It is possible to learn guitar without lessons, but be sure that you are exposed to other guitar players who can keep you accountable and progressing well. Otherwise, going to a teacher is a far better option. 

When Should You Stop Going To Lessons?

There is an important aspect of guitar lessons that every guitarist must understand – when to stop taking lessons. 

Every guitarist can benefit from lessons, especially at the beginning of the learning process, but there comes a time when you have learned everything that you can from a teacher, and you will benefit more from leaving the lessons and finding your own way on the instrument. 

This will teach you independent learning techniques and styles and push you into musical realms that you were previously unaware of. 

It is also important to understand that switching to a different teacher is another good way to progress further than your current teacher can. 

When taking lessons, be aware of your own abilities and where you are as a musician, and be ready to move on by yourself to learn everything that you can and to explore the musical areas that excite you. not everyone should remain in guitar lessons forever., stay with a teacher until you can play well, and then branch out on your own to discover your own musical interests. 

So should you take lessons?

Learning the guitar is a significant challenge, and having a teacher to help you along the way is exceedingly beneficial, but it is important to find the right teacher and to know when to move on in your own ability without a teacher. 

Guitar teachers are important for the foundational years of every guitar player, and finding the right teacher for you is important. Guitar lessons are worthwhile, but be careful to no get stuck in the cycle of lessons without ever progressing or improving.

About the author

Jake Helman