What's up, good people! DD#1 is a happy camper...enjoying her early Christmas present...impatient, spoiler...NOT. For at least two years, she has the want, desire, and now the undying determination to embark in this **as our 6-year-old says** exciting guitar journey.
Learning to play an instrument is now easier than ever before. Lack of time, money, living in a rural place, or not finding a quality teacher is no longer a reason for not giving it a try. Thanks to YouTube and those who still believe in free speech. Many accomplished guitarists/teachers are offering free, quality lessons on the video-sharing site. In the past year, hundreds of videos were made available; demonstrating everything from basic strumming, scales and finger-picking techniques to the opening riff of "Sweet Home Alabama." There are even instructions on ways to tune the instrument. These videos have been viewed at least 5 million times. So we are not the first to take advantage of the public service.
Die-hard fan of the Eagles? YouTube makes it possible for you to learn and play a simplified version of Hotel California" in no time. It is surprisingly affecting.
Teachers play slowly and use close-ups, showing each finger movement. If you don't get it at first, you may pause or hit replay. It's like having a teacher with endless patience.
The lessons are informal and definitely feel home-made. DD #1 plays along to videos in her PJs between meals. (She made the cute, plushy Mikey pants for 4H Sewing Club over the summer.) The laid-back approaches of these instructors make her want to learn. They are like a helpful, next-door neighbor I remember in the good old days.
Learning to play an instrument is now easier than ever before. Lack of time, money, living in a rural place, or not finding a quality teacher is no longer a reason for not giving it a try. Thanks to YouTube and those who still believe in free speech. Many accomplished guitarists/teachers are offering free, quality lessons on the video-sharing site. In the past year, hundreds of videos were made available; demonstrating everything from basic strumming, scales and finger-picking techniques to the opening riff of "Sweet Home Alabama." There are even instructions on ways to tune the instrument. These videos have been viewed at least 5 million times. So we are not the first to take advantage of the public service.
Die-hard fan of the Eagles? YouTube makes it possible for you to learn and play a simplified version of Hotel California" in no time. It is surprisingly affecting.
Teachers play slowly and use close-ups, showing each finger movement. If you don't get it at first, you may pause or hit replay. It's like having a teacher with endless patience.
The lessons are informal and definitely feel home-made. DD #1 plays along to videos in her PJs between meals. (She made the cute, plushy Mikey pants for 4H Sewing Club over the summer.) The laid-back approaches of these instructors make her want to learn. They are like a helpful, next-door neighbor I remember in the good old days.
All these free internet learning in the digital age sounds too good to be true, it may be. Most of the songs these people teach are under copyright. It's a matter of time before a licensing company orders YouTube to take them down. There's a very strong argument that the re-use of well-known chords in the sequence these instructors played them would be a violation of the copyright. Until then...we will continue our free rides.
3 encouragements:
That's awesome! My son has been on-and-off about lessons, but has found the internet to be a storehouse of information to further his guitar playing. He is now in two bands and writes his own songs (I helped him add a piano accompaniment last night at 11pm!) and loves to learn to play favorite songs with help from online freebies.
Your daughter is lovely! And I love her pants!
Awesome!
Do you have links to the youtube videos or would I just search guitar lessons or something like that? My boys both got guitars from grandpa earlier this year. They aren't die hard yet they just play with it but having this available may encourage them.
I learned to read music, play piano and guitar by myself in my childhood so did many others. What YouTube offers is enough to get a beginner started, progress to an intermediate even an advanced player if he or she has the passion without any pressure from an adult. Both of our girls never need to be reminded or pushed to practice playing piano while they had private lessons as it was what they wanted to do; not to please us or show off to their friends. For guitar lessons, check these out, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dXUW2wBS3I&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EMLWe7uu5c&feature=related (cut n paste in one single line in your url) From here, you will find other lessons from him, under Related Videos on right-hand side of screen, or simply search in YouTube for guitar beginners, basic guitar, acoustic guitar lesson, guitar fingering, basic guitar chords...
Tim Gilbert and David Taub were the two started early on guitar lessons on YouTube. Unfortunately, they now dedicate to their own site. Here is one of a few that is still up on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uenonHh0Y44
Anyway, I guarantee your sons will be overwhelmed. One note of caution: make sure they take breaks as this can be addictive as you and I know about computer resources! HeeHee
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