Can You Teach Yourself Guitar? (And be good at it?*)
The answer is yes! You absolutely can teach yourself guitar – and you can be great at it! I’ve done it and you can, too. In fact, it’s likely that most of the guitarists you admire are self-taught – and believe me, they didn’t start out as super talents. They actually grew their talent. But they didn’t do it just by taking a few online courses, studying a pile of books, or drilling guitar scales ad nauseam. Those things are crucial to learning, but they are only a part of the formula for success. Too many aspiring guitarists suffer frustration and stagnation when they depend exclusively on those sources for education and advancement. The good news is, you don’t have to do that!
If you combine serious practice with books and videos, what could be missing?
Most self-taught guitar players I’ve worked with have made the common mistake of acquiring information from a mishmash of sources. They’ve usually practiced diligently and can demonstrate their skills adequately on the guitar. They’re dissatisfied, though, with their ability to create a satisfying experience playing music.
If this describes you, be aware that however important the information you have gathered and ingrained may be, if it doesn’t directly apply to you—right now—it will be of little value in the present moment. To fuel your progress, what you study and practice at any given point must take into account what you know, what you don’t know, and what you want to know.
You probably already realize this on some level. If you’ve tried to teach yourself guitar by working through random books and YouTube videos, or even if you’ve learned by working with a teacher who doesn’t take your unique needs into account, you’ve found that success doesn’t happen from a haphazard approach. It happens when you have the following powerful combination for progress: resources and materials that address your weaknesses and support your goals; strong learning and practicing skills; commitment; and quality input, guidance, and support for those times when you hit a wall, need an objective ear, or could use a cheerleader. It’s a doable combination, and one that I can help you realize!
What to learn and when to learn it
If you’re a beginner guitarist, learn two or three basic guitar chords and start playing songs. It’s probably the first thing that you want to do, so don’t hold back! It’s a great way to have fun while you’re getting to know your guitar.
You’ll need to do more than learn a lot of different songs, though. The best way to learn guitar and gain a correct foundation is to follow a clear-cut curriculum. The best option for new players is to use the book Getting Started. The easiest way to save headaches in the long run is to guide yourself in the way a good music teacher would. If you choose to use a different book or program, be sure it covers the following basics that are covered in Getting Started. Use the instruction in the book to avoid forming bad habits and make sure that when you learn easy chords for songs you like you’re covering all of the first position chords you’ll need to progress. Learn the right way from the beginning!
- Parts of the guitar
- How to hold your guitar
- How to hold a guitar pick
- The open strings and how to tune
- Making chord changes
- The musical notes
- The musical staff
- Chord diagrams
- First position guitar chords
- Common chord progressions
- Basic strumming patterns
- Basic fingerpicking patterns
- How to learn songs from sheet music, guitar books or TABs
It’s a good idea to learn a lot of easy songs before moving up the neck. Learning different songs will help you build hand strength and become comfortable playing in different keys and time signatures. The most important thing is to keep learning while exploring your favorite songs!
If you already play guitar, the first step in creating your curriculum is to clarify what you already know. The tables on this page will help you do that and determine what’s important for you to learn next.
Some of the things you’ll need to progress may be things you’ve avoided. Constructing scales or chords (aka music theory) might seem at best irrelevant or intimidating and at worst, a miserable way to spend your guitar time. Likewise, you may feel you don’t have the time to invest in studying ear training. A lot of people feel this way, and it’s understandable, but it doesn’t need to hold you back. Read this to understand how you can reap the benefits of these things without suffering!
If you made it to the intermediate level only to get stuck there for months or years, use the information in this article to get out of your rut.
Regardless of your level, the most important things in being your own guitar teacher are quality resources that are relevant to your goals, excellent learning skills, strong intention and commitment, consistent practice, and support when you need it.
How to learn
This is probably the most important thing you’ll discover, and it’s the most overlooked. You can discover a lot about learning in some of the articles on this page. But you’ll get the most powerful information regarding the learning process in You & Your Guitar. You’ll learn everything from taking on a new skill to optimizing practice sessions and more.
Will you ever need a teacher?
There will probably be times when you could use some help. When you’re working on advanced techniques, you can probably do fine with guitar videos. But sometimes having someone experienced in the technique to give you individualized help is in order. There may be other times that a teacher will be helpful to you, as well. Having a professional to answer questions, correct issues you haven’t identified, or just play with you can be invaluable.
Learn to recognize those times and get the best help you can. I’ve composed a list of 25 traits of a good guitar teacher. Read the article and consider each item on the list to help in finding high quality assistance. And be sure to check out the article even if you’re not shopping for a teacher. The traits that great teachers have are the same ones you need to cultivate to teach yourself to be a great guitarist!
Ready to become your own best teacher?
When you look into how to teach yourself guitar (and be good!), you’ll realize there are effective ways. But you need and deserve to be the best teacher for yourself you can be.
Are you ready for the results that being your own great guitar teacher can bring?
The best way to get started is with You & Your Guitar. It’s a small book that takes only a few hours to read, but is dense with learning wisdom and empowerment.
You & Your Guitar will be your guidebook to success—it’s one of those books that after reading once you choose to keep by your bed to read again and again.
In addition to working with the principles in You & Your Guitar, use the DAILY to bring those principles into reality!
Together, these books will help you clarify what you know, what you don’t know, and what you want to know, so that you can choose the best materials for your level. They will provide a template for your lesson plans and assist you in cultivating creativity, inspiration, motivation, and commitment. In other words, you will be able to enjoy and benefit from guided self-study that is intelligent, positive, and proven.
A summary of what you need and I can provide to successfully teach yourself guitar:
- Quality Materials and Resources (books, articles, videos) created to fill in the gaps in your learning and help you achieve your own personal guitar goals
- Strong and effective learning skills, as taught in You & Your Guitar
- Commitment (with help from the DAILY!)
- Support I’m always here!
In order to teach yourself guitar well, you need to be both a good teacher and a good student, and you can find all that you need to grow those skills here! (And remember—everything starts with You & Your Guitar!) Enjoy the endless possibilities—and please feel free to write me with questions or requests.
