Thank You Brian, I just was handed a guitar & shown where to put my fingers, Never had a real lesson. 45 years later & I still don't have a clue ! 🎼🎶🎶🎶
I used those free free months of lessons that were given as a “pandemic promo” by several apps: Fender Play, Gibson by Zoundio (then only called Zoundio), and Yousician. I have also used other apps along the way like Justin Guitar (his website is totally free except for a few things that cost him money like licensed songs, but the app is paid - same material, so use the website), Ultimate Guitar for tabs, Guitar Tuna (also from Yousician), Rocksmith+, and as of recently, Musora (got a free trial for a month). I still use most of the aforementioned apps to this day - each presents the material differently and has a set curriculum that mostly follows the same path. Some apps are gamified, some use traditional video presentations, and some do both. I find this helpful with a Traumatic Brain Injury, especially when I’m not understanding a specific concept- it lets me see the same thing from another perspective. I also find some of the apps offer lots of practice sessions and information that is completely unique. The Gibson app is probably the best approach if you only tried a single app, with Fender and Yousician tied for a close second depending on which method of learning speaks to you and where you’re at. Most of the apps out there also provide feedback on my playing, which is helpful. Some also have social skills where you compete on leaderboards to keep you engaged and motivated to practice. I don’t recommend using UA-cam alone as a beginner or any other level of playing. There’s no set curriculum to follow, and it’s going to get frustrating fast because you’re not going to know how to identify quality lessons at your specific level. I find it’s best to use UA-cam as a supplement when you want to work on a specific skill a bit more that you’re already learning from some of the guitar apps. I’ve also used it to learn specific songs once I had some basic chords down, such as from Marty Music or Justin Guitar, among other channels. But I don’t recommend trying to learn guitar from scratch with UA-cam alone. I quickly realized this would be nearly impossible even for someone without a TBI. If you can’t afford a teacher in person, these online apps are the most affordable way to go. Use caution with UA-camr courses. Most are not meant for beginners who have zero experience. Make sure to do your homework about each one. I’ve never taken any UA-camrs courses myself, but as a person who was a university level tutor/mentor for nearly 15 years (and trained early childhood teacher), I can just tell from the descriptions that they are mostly short courses for intermediate players or beginners with basics down. FYI, if you need help affording these apps, I’ve learned to contact the developers if you need some financial assistance. Many have given me free or extremely reduced cost access when I explain my financial situation due to illness and why I’d find their app helpful. It does help to say I did their free trial first so I can explain why I’d like to continue learning with their app. Also search for promo codes. Fender Play has a 90% off code floating around. Many people also get free codes from purchasing Fender products, so if you ask in the FP forums, many people will kindly let you have the codes they aren’t using. Most of these apps always have Black Friday sales of 50% off and people even band together to get an even better deal by splitting the cost of a family plan (make sure you do it with people you trust) instead of paying for an individual one. That’s the best time of year to get sales on these apps, but keep that in mind the rest of the year because you might be able to get the developer to discount you by that much at minimum if you mention that price would help but you don’t want to wait until Thanksgiving rolls around. See what they’re willing to offer you first, though - many may offer you free access, even for a little while. At least two app developers gave me completely free access for a couple of years when I told them I need help because I can’t afford full price and explained my situation. If they come back and say they can only give you 20% off, that’s when I’d mention that you saw the 50% Black Friday rate (if it’s applicable) and is there any way they can extend that same price to you. Don’t be a proud fool if you need help - it’s okay to ask. Worst case, they don’t help. But it’s always worth a try if you need it. I don’t think I could have learned to play without the generosity of these app developers. I’ve heard others say they’ve gotten help too. They gave me the gift of music. I try to recommend these apps when asked how I learned. I also occasionally provide them with some ideas/feedback, which they seem to genuinely appreciate even though they asked for nothing in return. That’s my way of saying thanks to the developers.
My first OFFICIAL lesson was over Zoom. It was almost 2 years ago. I was living in Porto, Portugal and my instructor was in Minnesota. I was terrified of playing the guitar in front of him, even tho I was thousands of miles away. 🤣 Back in 1988, my buddy showed me a lot of things on guitar, but then I didn't keep at it.
I've never been to a guitar teacher. I've found learning from a righty doesn't work. A friend of mine who has played for almost 50 years can't show me anything. He keeps inserting what he wants into the equation so I found after about 15 minutes it was a waste of time. So, off I went to UA-cam, searching. And I finally found GCH Academy, a teacher who has put all the chods and scales up as a righty, but had the good sense to "mirror" his videos so lefties can learn. 4 years later, I keep returning to this channel. GCH Academy works for the basics very well. Once you advance, there's a finger style course, too. And it's all FREE.
Thank you for the video, Brian! My first song was Gloria by Them. (E, D & A). An Andy Guitar video showed me how one can leave your index finger on the fret board / same string, for all three chords. It shifts one fret (1st to 2nd) for the E to D, and A to E (2nd to 1st) but stays in place for the D to A. This insight made getting faster and consistent with the E D A transition much easier. I also took Rick Beato's advice and started to thumb mute right from the start with the D and A chords. So muting of the E and E, A strings respectively is now second nature for me. Funny how the E, A & D transitions are still my best after 3+ years!
My lessons were never this structured. I had piano before I ever played guitar, and I think that helped a little (as far as being familiar with the notes and understanding chords). Most of my guitar learning was simply looking at tabs, and later, youtube (Marty Schwartz - Guitar Jamz being my main "teacher" for years). My first song I learned was Dust in the Wind - I still can't play it correctly! 😂
The first lesson I ever remember was where the guitar teacher at school had a student who didn't turn up so my friend and I hijacked his time. He open tuned his guitar to g and played a 12 bar blues and got me and my friend to jam along by showing us on chord 1 play here, chord 2 move here etc. I had absolutely zero guitar experience prior but he made it so accessible that I was hooked. What a legend 👍
Very cool. The laminated chord diagrams would be a must have for teachers and students in my opinion. Awesome video! You give me a couple topics you want to learn and we can hop on a zoom/facetime or something.
Great video!! Looking back I’d say these lessons and knowledge are key to get a fundamental base for the fretboard. Great starting point and I highly recommend 👍
Ended up with a guitar by saving it from being smashed. Never had a lesson, Taught myself to tune a guitar with a pitch pipe. Played Peaceful Easy Feeling a few thousand times and that was pretty much the start,,No Internet,just books..Should be no excuses these days 🤘😎👍
@ lol Keep at it. You’re not that far from getting better. I play every day, not cause I make myself but because I love it. After 48 years I’m starting to get the hang of it. 😉
@ carving out time is hard with this psycho dog I don’t get a moment to my self and when I do it’s editing or filming and that’s not much time either to myself
My first lesson, I was, I don’t know, maybe 10 or so. I had chords for Take Me Home Country Roads and I wanted my teacher to show me how to play it. He said, “Oh, well John Denver would play it like this” and he proceeded to play a complicated finger style rendition of the song while I sat there just gobsmacked. That was my last lesson for a long time. 😂
First song Iron Man or Talk Dirty to me. Learned them the same day. I learned to play guitar better when I learned the bass. Learning the root notes helped me to play by ear on both instruments. I still can't read music but write, play and produce all my music.
I never had lessons. My first ‘lesson’ was with my Dad, he taught me Norwegian Wood by the Beatles, from a Beatles songbook. I remember feeling like the G chord was completely impossible; really worked hard on that one, and figuring out how to change between two chords was really challenging as well. My Dad would show me ‘cheats’ to make it easier, some of which I still do now so if you ever see me using strange fingerings it will be because I’m working around a hard chord change 😂
Great ideas Brian!! G Em C D7 were the first chords taught to me in high school. But when the teacher left we would do Iron Man. The teacher would come back, and we were strum strum strum chords. Lol
Very nice Brian. My very first (as in complete) song was The Jack (AC/DC), yeah, I'm an old guy, but as the tee shirt says, Never underestimate an old guy with a guitar.
I remember nothing but jingle bells on the b an e strings. Non productive. I had 2 and decided to learn on my own. I learned more with the Earny Ball beginner guitar books 1 and 2 for about $20, than $40 per lesson.
@@The..Butterfly..Effect I wish UA-cam was around/better at lessons when I started I can glom stuff off videos with the little knowledge I had at the time when I started
@ I think I may take formal lessons again just to see maybe different things have changed in the mindset. But with some experience it has been easier To wade the waters of YT
I had a fantastic teacher! This was before the internet so I had to take lessons from this really awesome dude. I should mention I'm self taught. My first song was House of the Rising Sun. I am relearning after my TBI but I have a friend who is an excellent teacher. I want to be good enough to play lightning fast solos behind my head and play riffs so heavy that I crash through the stage!
Nice. I think I need some sort of formal teaching to get the boot in the backside to commit but I have Been either practicing or watching theory an hour a day since the new year
@@SearchingForTone I did get my BFA in audio production after I got home from Afghanistan. Then, divorce, PTSD and all manner of stuff lead me to heavy drinking so I came back up to MN where my family is. Slipped on the ice in 2014 and my head hit the concrete. Long story short I got a TBI and lost a lot of data. The last stuff I recorded is the first stuff on my Soundcloud page. I'll get my skills back and you will learn to become bad ass on the guitar. I see your dedication in the first lesson video. Maybe we could do a collaboration down the road.
Earn A Dollar Go Buy Everything. Eadgbe… then we got really stoned his name was o wow, mine … hey… Thanks Brandon I know your out there 😂 I didn’t learn a darn thing cept the above but what a great time we had 🤙🏾🤙🏾💥🍺🍺🍺
Thank You Brian,
I just was handed a guitar & shown where to put my fingers, Never had a real lesson.
45 years later & I still don't have a clue !
🎼🎶🎶🎶
I took lessons and have no clue 🤣
I used those free free months of lessons that were given as a “pandemic promo” by several apps: Fender Play, Gibson by Zoundio (then only called Zoundio), and Yousician. I have also used other apps along the way like Justin Guitar (his website is totally free except for a few things that cost him money like licensed songs, but the app is paid - same material, so use the website), Ultimate Guitar for tabs, Guitar Tuna (also from Yousician), Rocksmith+, and as of recently, Musora (got a free trial for a month).
I still use most of the aforementioned apps to this day - each presents the material differently and has a set curriculum that mostly follows the same path. Some apps are gamified, some use traditional video presentations, and some do both. I find this helpful with a Traumatic Brain Injury, especially when I’m not understanding a specific concept- it lets me see the same thing from another perspective. I also find some of the apps offer lots of practice sessions and information that is completely unique. The Gibson app is probably the best approach if you only tried a single app, with Fender and Yousician tied for a close second depending on which method of learning speaks to you and where you’re at. Most of the apps out there also provide feedback on my playing, which is helpful. Some also have social skills where you compete on leaderboards to keep you engaged and motivated to practice.
I don’t recommend using UA-cam alone as a beginner or any other level of playing. There’s no set curriculum to follow, and it’s going to get frustrating fast because you’re not going to know how to identify quality lessons at your specific level. I find it’s best to use UA-cam as a supplement when you want to work on a specific skill a bit more that you’re already learning from some of the guitar apps. I’ve also used it to learn specific songs once I had some basic chords down, such as from Marty Music or Justin Guitar, among other channels. But I don’t recommend trying to learn guitar from scratch with UA-cam alone. I quickly realized this would be nearly impossible even for someone without a TBI. If you can’t afford a teacher in person, these online apps are the most affordable way to go. Use caution with UA-camr courses. Most are not meant for beginners who have zero experience. Make sure to do your homework about each one. I’ve never taken any UA-camrs courses myself, but as a person who was a university level tutor/mentor for nearly 15 years (and trained early childhood teacher), I can just tell from the descriptions that they are mostly short courses for intermediate players or beginners with basics down.
FYI, if you need help affording these apps, I’ve learned to contact the developers if you need some financial assistance. Many have given me free or extremely reduced cost access when I explain my financial situation due to illness and why I’d find their app helpful. It does help to say I did their free trial first so I can explain why I’d like to continue learning with their app. Also search for promo codes. Fender Play has a 90% off code floating around. Many people also get free codes from purchasing Fender products, so if you ask in the FP forums, many people will kindly let you have the codes they aren’t using. Most of these apps always have Black Friday sales of 50% off and people even band together to get an even better deal by splitting the cost of a family plan (make sure you do it with people you trust) instead of paying for an individual one. That’s the best time of year to get sales on these apps, but keep that in mind the rest of the year because you might be able to get the developer to discount you by that much at minimum if you mention that price would help but you don’t want to wait until Thanksgiving rolls around. See what they’re willing to offer you first, though - many may offer you free access, even for a little while. At least two app developers gave me completely free access for a couple of years when I told them I need help because I can’t afford full price and explained my situation. If they come back and say they can only give you 20% off, that’s when I’d mention that you saw the 50% Black Friday rate (if it’s applicable) and is there any way they can extend that same price to you.
Don’t be a proud fool if you need help - it’s okay to ask. Worst case, they don’t help. But it’s always worth a try if you need it. I don’t think I could have learned to play without the generosity of these app developers. I’ve heard others say they’ve gotten help too. They gave me the gift of music. I try to recommend these apps when asked how I learned. I also occasionally provide them with some ideas/feedback, which they seem to genuinely appreciate even though they asked for nothing in return. That’s my way of saying thanks to the developers.
Great advice Marsha.
My first OFFICIAL lesson was over Zoom. It was almost 2 years ago. I was living in Porto, Portugal and my instructor was in Minnesota. I was terrified of playing the guitar in front of him, even tho I was thousands of miles away. 🤣 Back in 1988, my buddy showed me a lot of things on guitar, but then I didn't keep at it.
@@IStillWanttobeaRockStar I ve never done the zoom thing it seems difficult to learn
I've never been to a guitar teacher. I've found learning from a righty doesn't work. A friend of mine who has played for almost 50 years can't show me anything. He keeps inserting what he wants into the equation so I found after about 15 minutes it was a waste of time. So, off I went to UA-cam, searching. And I finally found GCH Academy, a teacher who has put all the chods and scales up as a righty, but had the good sense to "mirror" his videos so lefties can learn. 4 years later, I keep returning to this channel. GCH Academy works for the basics very well. Once you advance, there's a finger style course, too. And it's all FREE.
That’s cool he considers lefties and includes them in his content
Thank you for the video, Brian!
My first song was Gloria by Them. (E, D & A). An Andy Guitar video showed me how one can leave your index finger on the fret board / same string, for all three chords. It shifts one fret (1st to 2nd) for the E to D, and A to E (2nd to 1st) but stays in place for the D to A. This insight made getting faster and consistent with the E D A transition much easier.
I also took Rick Beato's advice and started to thumb mute right from the start with the D and A chords. So muting of the E and E, A strings respectively is now second nature for me. Funny how the E, A & D transitions are still my best after 3+ years!
All those are great things to prevent sloppy playing building good foundation. Wish I had programmed my brain early on to do that
My lessons were never this structured. I had piano before I ever played guitar, and I think that helped a little (as far as being familiar with the notes and understanding chords). Most of my guitar learning was simply looking at tabs, and later, youtube (Marty Schwartz - Guitar Jamz being my main "teacher" for years). My first song I learned was Dust in the Wind - I still can't play it correctly! 😂
That’s a good exercise song, I think that actually was their warmup before playing
The first lesson I ever remember was where the guitar teacher at school had a student who didn't turn up so my friend and I hijacked his time. He open tuned his guitar to g and played a 12 bar blues and got me and my friend to jam along by showing us on chord 1 play here, chord 2 move here etc. I had absolutely zero guitar experience prior but he made it so accessible that I was hooked. What a legend 👍
Its awesome when you get that aha moment
Very cool. The laminated chord diagrams would be a must have for teachers and students in my opinion. Awesome video! You give me a couple topics you want to learn and we can hop on a zoom/facetime or something.
That be cool
Great video!! Looking back I’d say these lessons and knowledge are key to get a fundamental base for the fretboard. Great starting point and I highly recommend 👍
Not to brag I like my erase boards too because you can use color markers to show patterns
Ended up with a guitar by saving it from being smashed. Never had a lesson, Taught myself to tune a guitar with a pitch pipe. Played Peaceful Easy Feeling a few thousand times and that was pretty much the start,,No Internet,just books..Should be no excuses these days 🤘😎👍
Awesome😎🤙
I haven’t had my first lesson yet. lol Don’t plan on taking one but if I do I’ll let you know how it goes. 😉
My teacher probably would not want to admit he gave me lessons🤣
@ lol Keep at it. You’re not that far from getting better. I play every day, not cause I make myself but because I love it. After 48 years I’m starting to get the hang of it. 😉
@ carving out time is hard with this psycho dog I don’t get a moment to my self and when I do it’s editing or filming and that’s not much time either to myself
My first lesson, I was, I don’t know, maybe 10 or so. I had chords for Take Me Home Country Roads and I wanted my teacher to show me how to play it. He said, “Oh, well John Denver would play it like this” and he proceeded to play a complicated finger style rendition of the song while I sat there just gobsmacked. That was my last lesson for a long time. 😂
Had to show you how good he was🤣
First song Iron Man or Talk Dirty to me. Learned them the same day. I learned to play guitar better when I learned the bass. Learning the root notes helped me to play by ear on both instruments. I still can't read music but write, play and produce all my music.
That’s pretty cool
I never had lessons. My first ‘lesson’ was with my Dad, he taught me Norwegian Wood by the Beatles, from a Beatles songbook. I remember feeling like the G chord was completely impossible; really worked hard on that one, and figuring out how to change between two chords was really challenging as well. My Dad would show me ‘cheats’ to make it easier, some of which I still do now so if you ever see me using strange fingerings it will be because I’m working around a hard chord change 😂
@@JojoFryrocks that’s awesome. I love that song and that story
Great ideas Brian!! G Em C D7 were the first chords taught to me in high school. But when the teacher left we would do Iron Man. The teacher would come back, and we were strum strum strum chords. Lol
🤣that’s funny
Very nice Brian. My very first (as in complete) song was The Jack (AC/DC), yeah, I'm an old guy, but as the tee shirt says, Never underestimate an old guy with a guitar.
That is 100% truth
I remember nothing but jingle bells on the b an e strings. Non productive. I had 2 and decided to learn on my own. I learned more with the Earny Ball beginner guitar books 1 and 2 for about $20, than $40 per lesson.
@@TimRock1269 the industry standard🤣
My first lesson was from UA-cam - I don't remember who it was. Probably Sean Daniel
@@The..Butterfly..Effect I wish UA-cam was around/better at lessons when I started I can glom stuff off videos with the little knowledge I had at the time when I started
@@SearchingForTone True, I have the best teachers.🤩
Never had a lesson
How do you learn? Self Taught? Ear? YT?
Scratching my head and saying is this what I'm supposed to do and get frustrated
@ I think I may take formal lessons again just to see maybe different things have changed in the mindset. But with some experience it has been easier
To wade the waters of YT
@@SearchingForTone would be an interesting concept then you could share what you learn or knowledge of a better way to approach learning
Never played a song😂
🤣
I had a fantastic teacher! This was before the internet so I had to take lessons from this really awesome dude. I should mention I'm self taught. My first song was House of the Rising Sun. I am relearning after my TBI but I have a friend who is an excellent teacher. I want to be good enough to play lightning fast solos behind my head and play riffs so heavy that I crash through the stage!
Nice. I think I need some sort of formal teaching to get the boot in the backside to commit but I have Been either practicing or watching theory an hour a day since the new year
@@SearchingForTone I did get my BFA in audio production after I got home from Afghanistan. Then, divorce, PTSD and all manner of stuff lead me to heavy drinking so I came back up to MN where my family is. Slipped on the ice in 2014 and my head hit the concrete. Long story short I got a TBI and lost a lot of data. The last stuff I recorded is the first stuff on my Soundcloud page. I'll get my skills back and you will learn to become bad ass on the guitar. I see your dedication in the first lesson video. Maybe we could do a collaboration down the road.
Earn A Dollar Go Buy Everything. Eadgbe… then we got really stoned his name was o wow, mine … hey…
Thanks Brandon I know your out there 😂
I didn’t learn a darn thing cept the above but what a great time we had 🤙🏾🤙🏾💥🍺🍺🍺
🤣