![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/irenejackson.com\/guitar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/YouTube.jpg?resize=194%2C71&ssl=1\")
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I often get new students who have tried and failed at learning guitar by watching\u00a0YouTube videos. I have a couple of videos myself, so I\u2019m certainly not against the idea of learning this way! In fact, many budding guitarists benefit from the generosity of players who demonstrate songs and techniques by video.<\/p>\n
However, it is something akin to learning something by reading a book; some can, and others are only more confused. So don\u2019t be discouraged if YouTube videos are not making you a guitar virtuoso! Now I will explain why.<\/p>\n
First of all, you might be a beginner and not up on the \u201clingo\u201d. A video can\u2019t look at you and assess how much you know. So if you simply don\u2019t understand the terminology used, or if a demonstration goes too quickly, it can be a complete turn off.<\/p>\n
Secondly, those who can play, can\u2019t necessarily teach. They may say that they are going to show you how to play something and go ahead and play it, and explain nothing! While some might be able to pick up on what they are doing, many can\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Thirdly, you may not realize what you need to learn first in terms of which videos to watch. If you want to learn to play solos, you need to learn scales\u2026if you want to play your favourite Neil Young\u00a0song, you need to learn chords and some strumming techniques. Again, videos can\u2019t assess what you know, or don\u2019t know. If you don\u2019t know how to swim, don\u2019t jump in the deep end!<\/p>\n
Videos can also be wrong. When I say \u201cwrong\u201d, I also mean that people tend to play their own versions of songs, for instance, and it doesn\u2019t quite sound like the original. You may have already come across that in terms of looking at chords and tabs at some of the more popular sites dedicated to it. When you try it out, it doesn\u2019t really sound right, but you might blame it on yourself rather than on what the tab or video is showing you.<\/p>\n
If you are a guitar enthusiast, videos can be a great way to augment your learning experience. But don\u2019t consider yourself a failure if you are having trouble learning how to play from them! Therefore, I always encourage getting an instructor or taking some guitar classes so you can learn at a pace that works for you.<\/p>\n
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