As parents, we want our children to develop a love for music and pursue their interests, and often turn to guitar lessons as a fun hobby.

Like with all hobbies though, once the newness has worn off so too does the practice at home.. 

Guitar practice can be tedious and monotonous for children, making it difficult to keep them motivated. As a parent, it is important to make guitar practice fun and exciting for your child.

In this article, we will discuss five ways to make your child’s guitar practice at home more fun.

Who Is Responsible For Guitar Practice At Home?

As parents, it’s common to feel uncertain about the extent of our responsibility when it comes to our children’s music practice.

While our children must put in the work and practice regularly, it’s up to us to ensure that they have the support and guidance they need to excel. Therefore, it is our job to help our children practice at home.

To support our children’s music practice, it’s important to establish a consistent routine that’s achievable and appropriate for their skill level. 

A routine can help our children understand the expectations around their practice and create a sense of structure, making it easier to motivate them.

You need to make guitar practice part of their routine and then make their routine a habit. This will set the expectation of when practice occurs instead of them seeing it as impeding on their free time.

Yes you’re a busy parent and you already have so much responsibility, but you know your child can’t be left to do things independently yet (unless it’s a PlayStation right?). So how are they meant to figure something as complex as guitar practice out all by themselves?

Making Guitar Practice Fun

At the end of the day, your child wants to have fun.

They also want to put in the least amount of effort possible.

It’s going to be hard for guitar to be as much fun as an iPad or a video game which are geared to trigger dopamine and become addictive for children. Especially in the beginning when they are still just developing their skills.

In order for guitar to stand any chance we need to make playing the guitar at home fun for our kids. Let’s explore 5 ways we can do this at home.

Make Guitar Practice A Game

Children love games, and incorporating games into guitar practice can make it more enjoyable for them. 

For example, you can create a game where your child must correctly play a chord that you call out and earns a point for everyone they get right.

If you have two siblings who learn guitar you can also make it a competition between them to see who can learn a new song the fastest.

Ask your guitar teacher if they can give you ideas for games you can play at home to make learning more fun.

Play Along With Your Child During Their Practice Sessions

Playing along with your child is an excellent way to make guitar practice more fun. 

You can accompany your child on another instrument or sing along while they play. 

You can also ask them to teach you something they have learned, which will help build their confidence and make them feel more accomplished.

If you don’t know how to play guitar, consider taking a few lessons with your child’s teacher. If you’re a Melbourne Guitar Academy parent you get access to free online guitar lessons as part of your membership. You can use this resource to teach yourself the basics.

Let Your Child Choose The Music

Playing the guitar is only one component of musical development and guitar practice.

Listening to music actively has many benefits and is something that should be done regularly.

Allowing your child to choose the music they want to listen to is an excellent way to expose them to new music and inspire them to learn new songs on guitar. 

When children are given the opportunity to choose their own music, they are more likely to be motivated to practice. You can also encourage them to try different genres and styles of music to broaden their musical knowledge.

As you’re listening to music, ask them questions to get them to think about what they hear. This will lead to them developing a deeper understanding of how music works and an awareness of many different elements of music.

Incorporate Technology Into Guitar Practice

Technology can be a valuable tool when it comes to making guitar practice more fun. 

There are many guitar apps and online resources available that can help your child learn new songs and practice their skills. 

Apps like Yousician offer a gamified approach to learning where students earn points based on how well they play things.

You can also use technology to record your child’s progress and share it with friends and family.

Lastly, your complimentary Guitar Ninjas membership has access to over 50 online guitar courses. You can have your kids watching the video playthroughs of the song they are working on as part of their practice.

This will help them hear what they are trying to play and will make learning the song easier.

Make It A Social Event

Music is always more fun when it’s played with somebody else.

In order to get good at playing music with other people we should practise guitar with other people.

We’ve already mentioned playing along with your child, but there are additional things you can do to facilitate this:

• Organize a playdate with a friend or family member who already plays an instrument.
• Have your child play for their grandparents live over a video call.
• Encourage them to work on a set of 2-3 songs to play at the next family get-together.

Playing with others can help build their confidence and will prepare them for playing in bands and ensembles when they are older.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making guitar practice more fun for your child is essential to help them stay engaged and motivated. 

Remember to prioritize their interests, be creative with your approach, use technology to your advantage, create a comfortable and positive environment, and provide opportunities for them to perform and share their progress. 

By doing so, you can help your child develop a lifelong love of music and the guitar.

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, a highly experienced guitar teacher with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary, who has taught over 1000 students and delivered more than 10,000 guitar lessons.

He is the founder of Melbourne Guitar Academy and the creator of the Guitar Ninjas Curriculum, which is used in 20 studios around the world. Michael is also a board member for the Victorian Music Teachers Association and trains other teachers to become better at what they do.

If you’re looking for a guitar teacher for your kids, don’t google guitar lessons near me, instead, reach out to Michael directly and book the best children’s guitar lessons In Melbourne.

The post Struggling To Keep Your Child Motivated During Guitar Practice? Here Are 5 Ways To Make It More Fun! appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Welcome to the third and final part of our series on what makes young music students successful. 

In part 1 & part 2, we discussed 10 habits and behaviours of successful young musicians, and the importance of investing in quality instruments, maintaining a long-term commitment to your kids’ guitar lessons, and understanding the ups and downs of motivation.

Now, we turn our focus to the role that parents play in the success of their child’s music education. 

While every child is unique, there are certain traits that parents of successful young musicians tend to have in common. 

In this article, we will explore five of these traits, with insights and advice from professional guitar teacher and children’s guitar lesson specialist, Michael Gumley.

Whether you are a seasoned music parent or just starting out on your child’s musical journey, these tips can help you support your child’s growth as a musician and create a positive, enriching learning environment. 

So let’s dive in and discover what sets successful music parents apart!

Good Parents Invest Into Quality Instruments For Their Kids Guitar Lessons

The biggest mistake that parents make when their child starts guitar lessons is buying the cheapest instrument possible.

Yes, sometimes budget can be an issue but most parents go with the cheap option so that it’s not a total loss if the child pulls out of lessons after a few weeks or a few months.

While it might seem like a safe option given the transient nature of kids and how many activities they try before settling, this indicates that the parent isn’t optimistic about the long-term potential of their child and is already thinking about them quitting.

They have basically lost the battle in their own mind and aren’t even going to try and keep their kids in lessons long-term.

A Good Quality Guitar Makes Learning Easier

On the other hand, buying a high-quality instrument shows that the parent is committed to this endeavour and wants to do everything they can to ensure it’s a successful venture long term.

After all, having a high-quality instrument and equipment can make a big difference in a young musician’s progress and success. 

Not only are they easier to play, but they also sound better and are more likely to capture your child’s interest during the crucial early days.

Parents can support their child’s music education by investing in a good-quality instrument that is suitable for their child’s skill level and musical goals. 

This may include purchasing or renting a well-made instrument, as well as investing in equipment such as tuners, metronomes, and music stands. 

So when it comes time to buy a guitar, set your budget and buy the best guitar that you can with the money you have.

They See Their Kids Guitar Lessons As A Long-Term Investment

Learning to play an instrument and becoming a successful musician takes time, practice, and dedication. 

Parents can help their child succeed in music by recognizing that music education is a long-term investment and committing to supporting their child’s musical journey over the long haul. 

This means being patient and understanding that progress may be slow at times, but also recognizing that the benefits of music education can be lifelong. 

Parents should avoid pulling their children out of guitar lessons prematurely, as this can disrupt their progress and hinder their ability to achieve success in music. 

I’ll often have parents say to me “we’re pulling them out of lessons because they aren’t doing the practice at home to justify the cost”

To that I say “do they practice their swimming lessons at home? What about their football practice, dance lessons or coding?”

(we won’t even mention getting them to do their school homework)

Realise That It’s Going To Take Years To Become Good At Guitar

We often leave our kids in some activities for decades with no practice at home because it’s not expected or there is no means of doing it…

But when it comes to music lessons how much they practice (or their resistance to it) is used as the yardstick.

If you want your child to be successful they need to stick with it long enough to become successful!

This is likely going to be four or five years for most beginners to get truly comfortable with the guitar.

Many of my best students barely touched the guitar for the first 3 years when it was hard. Once their skills went over a certain threshold and guitar became easy, then they couldn’t put it down.

If there is one thing all the parents of my best child guitar students have in common, it’s that they committed to the long term and didn’t withdraw their kids from lessons just because their kids went through a phase of low motivation.

Successful Parents Recognise Periods Of Low Motivation And Push Through Them

Learning to play an instrument can be a challenging and often frustrating experience, especially for kids who are still developing their fine motor skills.

Young musicians may experience periods of low motivation or even a lack of interest in music altogether.

It’s important for parents to recognize that these phases are normal and that they will often pass over time.

So don’t pull them out of their guitar lessons too early, take a different approach.

Make Practising Guitar Fun

Instead of pressuring their child to continue practising or performing during these periods, parents can come at it from another angle and encourage their kids to practice indirectly.

This may include asking them to do a performance for family and friends, recording a video to send to grandma, inviting a friend over for a jam or setting them up with some youtube videos on guitar playing and its history.

Over time, young musicians will often regain their motivation and enthusiasm for music, and parents can help by being patient and supportive during these ups and downs in their child’s musical journey.

They Are Proactive In Helping Their Kids Set Up A Practice Routine

The life of a modern parent is very difficult. You’re overworked, underpaid, and what little spare time you have goes to getting your kids off to all their activities.

You don’t have time to teach them guitar, nor do you know how. That’s why you enrolled them in guitar lessons for kids with a real teacher.

I’m going to share with you a little secret.

While it’s important what goes on in the guitar lessons, it’s what happens in the 6 days between lessons at home that really counts.

If you have a 30-minute guitar lesson once a week, that 30 minutes is .5 hours out of a 168-hour week. This equates to .29% of their total week, or .59% should they learn guitar for an hour.

How can you expect your child to be good at something if they spent less than 1% of their time each week on it?

So what’s the solution? Two options.

You get them to stay in lessons long enough so that the small amount of time builds up to something substantial over years of taking lessons.

Or we increase the amount of time they put into guitar at home with regular practice.

Making Practice Part Of Their Schedule Is The Key

What every single one of our best parents did was help their kids establish a regular practice routine at home.

This could be as little as 5 minutes per day, or a 10-minute session every second day.

The key is to make it part of their schedule and keep the times consistent.

Try to get them to practice for 30 days consistently using a practice log in order to create a habit.

Once they have established a habit of practice and it’s part of their routine, you can extend the time.

Yes, there will be days missed and periods of low motivation, but if it’s part of their schedule then they will know it’s guitar time and won’t see it as infringing on their technology time or other leisure activities.

A Quick Gardening Analogy Which I Promise Relates To Guitar Lessons For Kids

If you’ve ever planted a seed you know that you need to really nurture and invest time into them during the first couple of weeks.

You need to water them every day and if you miss a day there is a good chance the seed will stunt its growth or die altogether.

Once your seed sprouts and grows to a certain size it can go a bit longer between watering and eventually will survive just off of rainwater without any input from you.

If we have children under the age of 12 and we’re expecting them to practice by themselves and know exactly what to do, it’s like planting a seed and expecting the seed will be able to water itself.

It’s just not going to happen.

We’ll have to nurture them every day until they can become more independent in what they are doing.

They Recognise Music As A Life-Long Journey That Provides Many Additional Benefits

Every day people come to me saying “I used to play guitar as a kid and I really regret giving it up”

I’m yet to have a single person tell me they regret learning how to play guitar.

Learning to play an instrument is a skill that can bring joy and satisfaction throughout a person’s life. 

Unlike many other hobbies or sports, which tend to become less appealing or too physically demanding as people get older, music has the potential to be a lifelong pursuit that can bring fulfilment and enrichment to a person’s life for years to come. 

(Plus the older you get the better you become)

It’s also worth pointing out that research shows many benefits to learning a musical instrument including:

• Improved Academic Performance
• Increased memory capacity
• Increased cognitive skills
• Increased development of fine motor skills
• Increased confidence
• Increased communication skills in group settings
• A great reliever of stress
• An avenue for creativity
• An avenue for identity & self expression (especially important in teenage years)

So in addition to musical talent, your guitar lessons for kids have so many additional benefits!

Study Proves Link Between Learning Guitar And Higher Academy Achievement

A recent study of 112,000 high school students in the USA found that most of the high-performing students who excelled in Maths, English and Science all took music lessons and played in ensembles.

These benefits alone is reason to keep your students in guitar lessons for the duration of their high school years.

So while we might feel like our investment into the music lessons themselves is unjustified by a lack of practice at younger ages (when kids don’t want to do anything other than play their video games). We instead need to look ahead to their teen years and see all the additional benefits our child will receive from learning.

In Conclusion

While we often want as little to do with our kid’s activities as possible so that we can enjoy the little spare time that we do have, every single parent of a successful child learner has been actively involved in the learning process for their kids.

Your child’s guitar lessons make up less than 1% of their week so in order to see significant results you need them to stick with lessons long enough to accumulate time or set up an environment at home that is conducive to consistent practice. (or both).

We will need to help our children develop the habits and routines needed for long-term success, and will also need to develop some habits, behaviours and ideas ourselves in order to ensure the long-term success of our music lessons.

If you put in a little bit more effort on your end, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes both short-term and long-term.

About The Author

Michael Gumley is a professional guitar teacher and children’s guitar lesson specialist with over 15 years of teaching experience. 

He has taught children of all ages, and many of his students have gone on to become successful musicians in their own right.

Michael is passionate about music education and believes that anyone can learn to play guitar given the right guidance and a long enough period of time to become good at it. 

If you’re looking for guitar lessons near me for your children, or aren’t happy with the progress your child is making with their current teacher, consider taking guitar lessons with Michael and his team at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The post Raising a Rock Star: 5 Traits All Parents of Successful Guitar Students Have in Common appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Welcome back to the second part of our series on the habits and behaviours of successful young musicians enrolled in childrens guitar lessons. 

In the first part of this series, we explored the importance of practice, goal setting, parental support, and playing the guitar for fun. 

We also discussed the need for long-term commitment to music education and the value of developing a lifelong love of music.

In this second part of the series, we’ll focus on 5 more traits of successful young musicians.

We’ll discuss the importance of discipline, curiosity, playing with other people, time management and most importantly, self-reflection.

So if you’ve got a child enrolled in a kids guitar lesson program, you won’t want to miss the important insights gained from reading this article as we dive deeper into the traits necessary to excel as a young guitarist.

Develop Perseverance To Help Long-Term Success

Learning how to play guitar or any other instrument is a long-term game.

Over the many months and years it takes to learn motivation will wax and wane.

There will be periods of high motivation and lots of practice, as well as periods of low motivation and no practice.

One thing I’ve noticed is that all the successful guitar players persevered through the low motivation periods. In fact, it’s like they never lose motivation.

Whether they wanted to or not they practised, because they saw it as a means to getting to their long-term goals.

Perseverance is a trait that comes naturally to some, while others need to work on it.

As a parent of a child enrolled in childrens music lessons, you need to help them work on being resilient and persevering, especially when times get tough.

Pulling them from lessons prematurely isn’t the solution. Doubling down and persevering through periods of low motivation is essential.

That way when the pendulum swings the other way and they find their motivation again, they’ll have continued to build up skills and knowledge which they can launch from instead of starting again from zero.

A good friend of mine Eric Bourassa has written a wonderful article on how to properly set expectations for your child’s progress in music lessons which I highly recommend you read.

Curiosity Is The Key To Successful Learning In Kids Guitar Lessons

Successful young musicians often have a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to learn. 

It’s this desire to learn and thirst for knowledge or better skills that drive practice and fuel learning at home.

Where some kids spend all their spare time playing, those who take some extra time to research guitar by reading articles, looking up guitar videos, or finding out more about the hobby in general always end up going further.

Parents can support this by helping their child further explore the hobby. Take them to guitar shops, show them interviews with famous guitar players, let them buy a CD every once in a while or help them start a guitar pedal collection.

All of these things get the child further involved in the hobby which is likely to lead to further curiosity and long-term retention in their childrens guitar lessons and beyond to their teen years.

Great Time Management Is An Essential Skill Needed For Success In Guitar Lessons

Two guitar players can spend 10 minutes playing their guitar at home.

Both could be working on exactly the same piece.

The first guitarist spends 2 minutes learning and 8 minutes practising.

The second guitarist spends 8 minutes learning and 2 minutes practising.

Who makes more progress at the end of the 10-minute session?

Answer: The first guitarist. They actually make 4x the progress of the other person.

Kids who excel at learning don’t necessarily practice more than those who don’t, they practice more efficiently and better manage their time. 

This often has the side effect of freeing up more time to be reinvested back into practice which helps them improve even more.

Once they get some momentum going, learning becomes fun and easy and they are increasingly more motivated to pick up and play.

If you can help your child build up that initial momentum by helping them manage their practice time in the early phase, it will create a habit that fuels successful guitar practice for life.

Jamming With Other People – The Secret Sauce For Accelerated Learning In Your Child’s Guitar Lessons

Why are sports so fun for children? Because they get to hang out with their friends and play games together.

Playing the game is the payoff for all the effort they put in during the training sessions. 

It is also a test for all of the skills they have been working on and offers a competitive environment and gratification for winning.

Guitar students will often spend several years learning one on one with a teacher in private lessons and practising at home in their bedroom without ever playing or jamming with another person.

This severely impacts skills like timing, musical communication and makes them feel like total beginners when they eventually do play with other people and can’t keep up.

Furthermore, they are missing out on how much fun playing and performing with other people can be.

Enrolling your child in group guitar lessons for kids will give them the ability to learn and play with other people and work on these important skills.

It will also teach them the value of organization, communication, and help them overcome the nerves felt when playing with or in front of other people.

You can also organize jam sessions with other friends who play guitar or any other instrument so that they can work on songs together and put on performances for friends and family.

The more your child plays with other people, the more they will apply the skills and knowledge they have learned and the faster they will progress.

Before long, they’ll love coming to their childrens guitar lessons so that they can jam and play with others!

Recording Themselves And Reflecting Upon What They Hear Is The Secret Weapon For Rapid Progress In Guitar Lessons

I am amazed at how many people spend years learning guitar but never actually listen back to themselves to hear how they are progressing.

The student just plays and plays and plays without ever becoming aware of what needs improvement, what bad habits need fixing and where their weaknesses lie.

Fortunately, we can do simple things like recording a video of them practising or performing and playing it back to them.

As they listen you can point out areas for improvement that you notice and with new awareness, they can base their practice on fixing these problems.

It’s also great to be able to show your kids a video of where they were 6 months ago and how much they’ve improved in times when they aren’t feeling motivated. 

That way they can see they have gotten better and that all their effort is making a difference.

By recording your kids during their guitar practice or encouraging them to make video playthroughs of songs and helping them review it they will be able to see what needs work and reflect upon their progress over time.

You can also ask your guitar teacher to make recordings of your childrens guitar lessons so that they can watch back and know exactly what to work on during the week.

Successful In Your Kid’s Guitar Lessons Comes Down To Good Habits

Every kid I’ve taught that did very well in their guitar lessons had 3 or more of these habits.

Yes, some kids are naturally more resilient than others, and having a naturally curious attitude to learning might be an individual personality trait, but all of the traits can become habits over time with the right encouragement at home.

The key to success in your childrens guitar lessons can be directly affected by your involvement in the learning that takes place outside of the lesson.

You’re going to invest thousands of dollars in their musical education, but you also need to invest time into setting them up for success at home.

Doing so will be the most important investment you ever make into their guitar lessons.

Parents Set Their Kids Up For Success

While we’ve reached the end of this article, in part 3 we will be exploring 5 traits shared by parents of successful music students.

Up until now, everything has been about our kids and the traits and habits they need to be successful in their guitar lessons.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, the more involved you can be in your child’s learning outside of their lessons, and the more proactive you can be in creating good habits for them, the more it will ensure long-term success in learning guitar.

See you in Part 3 where we’ll be looking at the traits shared by parents of successful young guitar learners.

About The Author – Kids Guitar Lesson Specialist – Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is a professional guitar teacher and childrens guitar lessons specialist with over 15 years of experience. He is a published author of 12 books on guitar, three of which are specifically designed for kids, and has developed the curriculum for Guitar Ninjas, an innovative approach to teaching guitar to children.

Michael is known for his fun and friendly teaching style, which combines humour, creativity, and a deep love of music. He has successfully taught hundreds of kids to play guitar, inspiring a love of music that lasts a lifetime.

With his patient and enthusiastic approach, Michael is passionate about helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to become successful young musicians. He believes that music education is not just about learning to play an instrument, but about fostering creativity, discipline, and a sense of accomplishment that carries over into all aspects of life.

When he’s not teaching, Michael can often be found playing guitar with his band, exploring new music, or enjoying the great outdoors. He is dedicated to helping children discover the joy of music and looks forward to sharing his passion for guitar with young learners around the world.

If you’re a Melbourne-based parent looking for guitar lessons near me for your child, look no further than taking lessons with Michael at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The post Mastering Music: What It Takes To Be A Successful Young Guitarist Enrolled In Childrens Guitar Lessons appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

For parents with kids taking children’s guitar lessons, the road to success can often be filled with both challenges and rewards. 

While some students seem to naturally excel in their guitar lessons, others may struggle to keep up or lose interest in their instrument altogether. 

As a parent, it can be difficult to know how to support your child’s musical journey and help them achieve their full potential as a young musician.

But what separates successful young music students from those who struggle or fail? Is it innate talent, dedicated practice, or something else entirely?

In this article, we’ll explore the 15 key factors that contribute to the success of young music students and offer practical advice and tips for parents looking to help their children succeed in their guitar studies.

Please note: When I started writing this article my intention was to include 15 traits and behaviours of successful students. After writing the first draft it became apparent that it was too long an article and thus we have broken the article up into three parts.

You can find links to parts 2 & 3 at the bottom of this article

5 Traits Shared By Kids Who Successful Learn How To Play Guitar

I’ve taught over 1000 individual people to play the guitar in my 15 years as a professional guitar teacher.

Hundreds of these guitar students were kids and teenagers.

Some didn’t want to be there and quit after a few months. Most enjoyed their lessons and stuck with it for several years, but the ones that went the furthest and achieved high levels of proficiency or became professional musicians & music teachers themselves all shared similar traits.

I’ve also taught a few child prodigies who were better guitar players by the age of 12 or 15 than I was at age 25.

These young virtuosos all exhibited the same traits as the long-term successful players. 

Some refer to it as natural talent, but I just noticed they developed better habits earlier on or had them from day 1.

So let’s take a look at the first five of these traits.

They Practice Their Guitar Regularly

Successful young musicians typically practice consistently and diligently.

This doesn’t mean they practice for hours and hours every day. In fact, most successful young learners only practice for 10-30 minutes at a time.

But they do it every day, and rarely miss a session.

These young learners are set up for success by parents who supervise their practice in the early stages and sit with them until it becomes a habit.

Then once a habit is formed we can increase the duration of their practice sessions over time.

If you want your child to be successful the #1 thing you can do is make practice part of their daily routine.

They Set Clear Guitar Playing Goals

The worst way to practice guitar is to pick up the instrument and try to decide what to work on.

It’s important to realise that most kids have no idea what they are meant to be doing and are reliant on having a good teacher (or their parents at home) to tell them what to do.

A great teacher will help establish some goals and break them down into smaller milestones. Hopefully, they will write out a practice plan and communicate what needs to happen between lessons in order for the student to progress.

As a parent, it’s your job to help your child work towards these goals until they are mature enough to be proactive in planning their own practice. This might not happen until their teen years.

They Actively Listen To Guitar Music

There is a common myth that you need to have an ear for music.

What I’ve noticed from 15 years of teaching guitar is the kids who are “naturally talented” at learning to play guitar spend a lot more time listening to music actively.

By definition, Active listening refers to listening to music consciously (rather than as a background task) and reflecting upon what is being heard.

Playing music for your kids and asking them questions like “what instruments do you hear?”, “How many beats could you count?” and “How did that music make you feel?” are great ways to help your child listen actively and reflect upon what they hear.

They Are Able To Focus Their Attention When Practicing Guitar

Most children rush through their practice as fast as possible so that they can jump on the PlayStation or go outside and kick the football.

For some parents even getting them out of the house and in the car on the way to their children’s guitar lessons is a battle.

The students who become great at their instrument are focused during their practice sessions and are able to pay attention to improving what they are working on.

Rather than just running through the motions while their mind is on Fortnite, they are conscious of what their fingers are doing and try to improve what they are doing with each rep.

If you can help your child focus and learn how to practice effectively they will be able to get more results in 10 minutes of focused practice than what most other kids get from an entire hour

They Love Playing Guitar And Have A Positive Attitude To Learning

Every single child prodigy I’ve ever taught had one thing in common: They loved playing guitar!

They had times when they practised, but they also had times when they just picked up the guitar and had fun with it.

They also took it upon themselves to listen to music, watch youtube videos and read articles about the guitar because they were genuinely interested in learning more about guitar.

This is critical because these students became guitar players through their actions and did what guitar players do.

If you can encourage your children to go beyond the lesson and fall in love with the process of learning and the hobby of guitar playing they will be a student for life!

Helping Your Kids Succeed In Their Guitar Lessons

Every child has the potential to become a truly great guitar player and succeed in learning to play guitar, and if they are enrolled in a children’s guitar lesson program for long enough, they will eventually develop the skills needed to play guitar well.

So why do some kids drop off after a few months without ever learning a full song and other kids grow up to be absolute finger wizards who can play Hendrix songs before the age of 12?

The answer lies in their habits and behaviours!

Every child I taught who became a great guitar all practised daily, set goals and worked towards them, actively listened to music, was able to stay focused during practice time and fell in love with the process of learning guitar so that it wasn’t a chore but part of who they were.

If you want your child to be successful in their endeavour of learning how to play guitar then you need to help them develop the traits that will make them successful.

There is no shortcut, just time spend building habits that are conducive to long-term success.

If you enjoyed reading this article then continue reading in part 2 we’ll present another 5 habits that are shared by successful guitar learning.

In part 3 we’ll present 5 traits shared by parents of successful guitar students that you can adopt into your own behaviour.

About The Author – Expert Children’s Guitar Teacher Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is an expert guitar teacher from Melbourne, Australia who specialises in teaching children.

Not only does he have over 15 years of experience teaching children to play the guitar he has also written 12 books on guitar including three books specifically for kids and young learners.

He’s also developed a reputation for training young virtuoso guitarists with many of his students achieving a very high technical proficiency on the guitar.

If you’re looking for children’s guitar lessons near me reach out to Michael via his website and book a free trial lesson today.

The post Why Some Young Music Students Succeed While Others Fail: 15 Things Parents Need To Know About Children’s Guitar Lessons appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The year is 2023 and you want to learn how to play the guitar!

Congratulations! Learning guitar is one of the most awesome and rewarding hobbies you will ever undertake and you’re in for a real treat.

On the flip side, learning how to play the guitar can be very challenging and frustrating if you go about it the wrong way.

That’s why I’ve put together this special list of learning tips for guitar players which I’ve learned from 18 years of playing guitar myself and 15 years as a professional guitar teacher.

Whether you’ve just bought your first guitar and are at the start of your guitar-playing journey, or are someone who has been playing guitar for years (or even decades) but still feels like a beginner, this article will give you some great insight to make learning how to play guitar more fun, more fulfilling, and much easier!

Let’s get into it!

The Secret to Guitar Mastery: 11 Tips for Beginner Guitar Players in 2023

Below is a list of 11 Essential Tips For Beginner Guitar Players in 2023.

Of course, these tips are broadly applicable to guitar players of any level, but if I had a time machine and could go back and give beginner me some advice, this is what I would be telling him:

1. Get lessons from an expert teacher
2. Buy good gear that makes practice fun and learning easy
3. Have an outcome in mind and work towards your goals
4. Have a regular practice routine that is part of your schedule
5. Don’t overconsume content
6. Realise that this is a long-term game
7. Work smarter, not harder – Learn how to practice
8. Make Music With What You Learn
9. Play with other people as frequently as possible
10. Start being creative right away
11. Become a guitarist – do what guitar players do

I’ll be expanding upon each point in more detail throughout this article.

Guitar Tip #1 – Get Lessons From An Expert Teacher

While this might seem like a bit of a cop-out and a means of drumming up business for myself and other guitar teachers, I am adamant that the #1 way to get better at playing guitar is to get guidance from a professional guitar teacher.

A great guitar teacher will be able to ask you about your goals and the type of guitar player you want to be and then create a personalised lesson plan aimed at helping you reach those goals.

They will be able to give you all of the relevant concepts and exercises that you need in order to improve and will be able to tell you what to avoid practising or what to come back to later.

A Great Guitar Teacher Makes Learning Easier

Most importantly, they will be able to give you active feedback on what you’re doing right and what you’re doing wrong and what changes you need to make to your posture, hand positions and practice habits. You just can’t get that from a Youtube video.

With the global pandemic taking place over the last two years there has been a huge flood of people picking up guitar for the first time. This has resulted in a pandemic of frustrated guitar players who have tried learning guitar from Youtube by themselves but are stuck at various levels and totally overwhelmed by content.

The best way to get unstuck is to find a great teacher, they’ll figure out exactly what you need in order to get the ball rolling and back on track to success.

Check out my guide on how to find a great guitar teacher near you if you need help finding a guitar teacher in your area.

Guitar Tip #2 Buy Good Quality Guitars and Guitar Gear

Having the right gear can make a huge difference in your guitar-playing experience which is why I recommend you invest in a good quality guitar, amp, and accessories.

Good gear will make practising and learning fun & easy because quality instruments are not only easier to play, they also sound way better!

When learning guitar is easy and you’re having fun you will be way less frustrated and far more motivated to continue playing.

One of my favourite sayings is “you get what you pay for” and that certainly rings true for guitars and guitar-related gear.

Buy The Best Guitar You Can Afford

When we’re first starting out we are often sceptical of our long-term commitment to the hobby and go for a cheap instrument. These cheap instruments are physically harder to play and aren’t very inspiring to pick up.

Plus, every dollar you spend on the wrong guitar and equipment in the beginning is a dollar less you have to upgrade to a better instrument later.

My advice is to set a budget, do some research and get the best guitar you can within your price range. The motivation you get from owning a quality instrument might be the difference between practising enough to become good and giving up after a few months because ‘guitar is too hard and I sound bad”

Guitar Tip #3 – Envision The Guitar Player Your Want To Be And Set Goals To Work Towards

One of the most important things you can do as a beginner guitarist is to have an outcome in mind and work towards your goals. 

This can be challenging for a beginner because your knowledge on the topic of guitar playing is quite small and you are limited by what you think is possible.

This doesn’t need to be complicated though, all you need to do is think about the kind of guitarist you want to be and work backwards from there.

For example, if you really like Ed Sheeran and want to be like him, you just need to set goals like “I want to be a great acoustic guitarist and songwriter who can sing and play at the same time and effortlessly play through all of my favourite songs”

That is a much clearer and more defined goal that will make it quite clear what you need to learn and practice.

Having a clear goal in mind will help you stay focused and motivated, and will make it easier for you to plan your practice and stay on track.

And once you achieve one particular set of goals, you can set more for the next part of your guitar-playing journey.

If you’re not sure what kind of guitar player you want to be, try taking the guitar personality quiz to figure out what kind of player you are and what you need to focus on learning.

Guitar Tip #4 – Make Practising Your Guitar Part Of Your Schedule

When you first start playing the guitar you’ll likely be obsessed with it and will want to spend every minute of every day playing it.

You’ll probably have a guitar in hand every chance you get for the first couple of weeks.

But then life will get in the way!

Something will come up, you’ll put practice off and break your streak.

Soon enough multiple things will pile up and fight for your attention and playing guitar may take a backseat. 

“I’ll do it tomorrow” you’ll tell yourself….

But tomorrow never comes!

While you have good intentions to practice your guitar, unless it’s part of your schedule you will probably miss it, forget or put it off for another day.

We humans are creatures of habit and the best way to ensure our practice happens is to schedule it in and make it part of our routine.

Determine how much time you want to spend practising your guitar each day or each week and then plug it into your schedule. 

When you practice consistently you will improve consistently, and the best motivator is consistent progress. Before you know it you’ll be back in a cycle of positivity and keen to do more practice once again.

Guitar Tip #5 – Don’t Overconsume Guitar Content

This is probably the second most important point after finding a quality guitar teacher.

Consider yourself lucky because there has never been a better time to learn how to play guitar than right now in 2023.

There is an abundance of great content on the internet and everything you could ever want to know about playing guitar is online, most likely for free.

Unfortunately for you, there is also 10x the amount of bad content out there too, and as a beginner, you can’t tell the good from the bad.

Not to mention, even good advice learned at the wrong time can be problematic and cause you to attempt to learn or play something well beyond you resulting in you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

It’s very easy to learn a whole bunch about a number of topics but never actually get good at playing it.

Case in point: how often do you watch four or five guitar lesson videos on Youtube one after the other. Sure you might understand the concept and pause the video to try out a few ideas, but likely you’ll go onto the next video, skim through that, play a few more examples and totally forget everything you learned from the previous one…

You might do this with several videos on the same day and nothing from the first couple make it into your practice routine for the week or your long-term memory.

Focus Is The Key To Becoming A Great Guitar Player

If you want to be good at guitar you need to focus on becoming really good at a small number of things and this means avoiding trying to learn absolutely everything there is to a low level.

As you master a concept, then go out and learn a new one.

It’s tough, but if you can do this you’ll be a much better player both short-term and long-term.

If you want structured learning check out my free beginner guitar course that has everything you need to learn in one place.

Guitar Tip #6 Realise That Learning How To Play Guitar Is A Long-Term Game

One of the biggest frustrations for me as a guitar teacher is having people give up at the three-month point because guitar is too hard or the student doesn’t sound like their favourite player does on record.

The truth is that learning how to play guitar is going to take years.

Sure you can accelerate the process by practising more efficiently and getting guitar lessons from a great teacher but it is still going to take a long time to get really comfortable and develop proficiency.

The quicker you come to the realisation that guitar is going to take a long time and commit to the long-term outcome, the sooner you will become less frustrated with the learning process.

Remember, what you hear on the recording is often the product of 10+ years of hard work for the guitarist playing on the track. They are a professional and likely practised for multiple hours a day to get to that point. It’s unfair of you as a hobby player to compare where you are 3 months into where they are 10 years in and get frustrated.

As Long As You Never Quit You’ll Eventually Become A Great Guitar Player

Here is a tip: If you want to be successful at guitar, all you need to do is not quit.

If you accumulate enough practice over a long enough time frame you will eventually become good…

Imagine if everybody decided they would spend 5 years taking guitar lessons before they made a decision about quitting, then everyone would be good at guitar.

So don’t quit! Commit to the long term and keep working towards your goals.

Guitar Tip #7 Learn How To Practice – Work Smarter, Not Harder

Everyone is told what to practice but never how to practice.

This leads to people putting in a lot of effort but not really getting anywhere.

It also leads to a lot of wasted time spent ‘learning’ rather than actually improving and people wondering why they aren’t better guitar players for all the time they put into ‘practising’

I know because I was guilty of it myself for many years.

I used to think that learning new things all the time was practising, but practising by definition is the repetition of an action with the intention of improving it.

Once I stopped trying to expand my knowledge by learning new things and settled for improving what I already knew, my progress went through the roof.

Perfect Guitar Practise Makes Perfect

I also became aware of how inefficiently I was learning new information and how much time I wasted relearning things over and over again.

I now teach my students efficient learning techniques so they can learn something once and remember it forever. That way the rest of their practice time can be spent on improving what they know.

This means they can learn less and make dramatically more progress, and now that you know this hopefully you can too.

Check out my guide on how to practice guitar using the three phases of guitar practice

Guitar Tip #8 Make Music With What You Learn

One of my biggest regrets from my early guitar-playing days is not making music with what I learned.

I fell for the myth that I needed to be good enough at certain things before I attempted them, so I was always learning other people’s songs or doing other people’s exercises to improve different techniques.

Now I’m a firm believer that the best way to get good at something and to show that you know it is to create something with it.

So if you learn a new scale, rather than play up and down to a metronome try making a few melodies out of it or improvise over a backing track.

If you learn a new chord progression, try writing your own song using that chord progression.

If you learn a new theory concept, apply it to your guitar and see what you can come up with.

You will become a much better guitarist and musician by applying what you know rather than just perpetually learning things.

Guitar Tip #9 Play With Other Musicians As Frequently As Possible

Another thing that many aspiring guitar players get hung up on is waiting to be ‘good enough’ before they jam with somebody.

One of the keys to my early success is the fact that a few people in my friendship circle played guitar (and a few other instruments) and we had the opportunity to jam with each other.

This meant we were motivated to practice more so that we could have the songs we were learning to a good enough standard to jam together.

Plus nobody wanted to be the worst guitarist or the person who let the group down.

As a result, we all improved dramatically in a short period of time and most importantly, we were working on skills that you can’t get sitting in your bedroom by yourself.

If you know any other musicians then I recommend you jam with them as soon as possible.

Make a short list of songs, learn 1-3 of them and organise a date to jam together.

It can be another guitarist, a drummer, a singer, or any other instrument. It doesn’t matter, as long as you get started.

Guitar Tip #10 Start Being Creative Right Away

You might have noticed a theme for the last three points where we hold onto a belief that we need to be at a certain level before we attempt something.

All this does is result in that skill staying at level 0 while our other skills improve, and then when it comes time to improve that skill we feel like a noob again.

I experienced this first-hand when I didn’t work on any creativity or improvising for the first 2.5 years of my guitar lessons at high school and then went to study music at university and was expected to be playing creatively at a tertiary standard…

It was a very rude awakening.

One of the most fun and rewarding elements of learning to play guitar (or any other instrument) is being creative.

For whatever reason, we often put this on the shelf to come back to once we are good enough, but the truth is you can start creativity from Day 1.

The sooner you start creating things, the sooner you start applying your knowledge and measuring your skills.

And the more fun you will have, so incorporate being creative into your routine.

Guitar Tip #11 – Become A Guitarist

I’m often asked what is the difference between those who are successful at guitar and those who aren’t.

My answer is that the people who are successful at guitar adopt the identity of a guitar player and subsequently undertake the actions and behaviours that guitar players do.

Guitarists do guitar things like:

• Practice their guitar (usually every day)
• Play their guitars just for fun (yes this is different to practising your guitar)
• Listen to guitar-based music
• Go and see live shows to be inspired by other great players
• Read guitar magazines or articles online
• Watch youtube videos about guitar
• Buy guitars and collect gear
• Hang out with other guitar players
• Jam with other guitar players or join bands
• Argue with other guitarists about who the best guitar player is
• Spend hours and hours checking out their next guitar purchase in online guitar stores

Most importantly, Guitar players NEVER QUIT!

If they quit they wouldn’t be a guitarist any more, and the moment that you quit you are no longer a guitarist.

Now you don’t have to become obsessed with guitar or make it the only personality trait that you have, but you do need to adopt the behaviours that are conducive to being successful at guitar.

After all, if you want to be a bodybuilder you need to work out consistently, eat the right foods and get the right amount of sleep. If you don’t exhibit those behaviours you’ll never get to your goal.

So take on the identity and behaviours of a guitar player and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of guitar.

Bonus Tip – Learn On The Right Guitar

After getting to the end of this article it was glaringly obvious that I missed one very important tip…

That is to learn on the right guitar.

I’m asked on a daily basis what is the best guitar to learn on, and my answer is whichever guitar you can play the music you like on.

There is a common myth that you need to start on acoustic guitar and work your way up to electric. This is totally false.

In fact, electric guitar is easier to learn on and is far more versatile making it a great (but more expensive) choice for beginners.

Ultimately, choose the instrument that best reflects your musical taste and the styles you will be playing in and get the best instrument you can for your budget.

Or, just buy both!

In conclusion

In closing, these 11-pointers are guaranteed to help you play the guitar like a boss in 2023. 

Whether it’s seeking out expert guidance, setting achievable objectives, adhering to a consistent practice regimen, practising smarter, creating music, jamming with others, tapping into your creativity, or embodying the lifestyle of a guitarist, these tips will steer you in the right direction towards becoming a better guitarist.

By following these tips and dedicating yourself to the craft, you’ll soon be well on your way to mastering the guitar and playing like a seasoned pro. And if you happen to be in the vicinity and looking for guitar lessons near me, I’d be honoured to extend my support.

So go ahead, grab your guitar and start playing like a boss right now!

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, the expert guitar teacher who has been helping aspiring guitarists for over 15 years. With 12 published books on playing the guitar and over 1000 successful students, Michael has solidified his reputation as one of the leading guitar teachers in the industry.

But don’t let his impressive resume fool you, Michael is more than just a guitar teacher, he’s a true lover of music and all things guitar. With a passion for sharing his knowledge and helping others achieve their musical dreams, Michael approaches each lesson with a fun and lighthearted attitude.

His students often describe him as ‘the best explainer of things they have ever met” armed with an arsenal of tips, tricks, and analogies to help them understand any topic. When he’s not teaching, you can find him strumming away on his acoustic, shredding on his electric, or jamming with friends.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, if you’re looking to take your guitar skills to the next level, look no further than guitar lessons with Michael Gumley and his team of wonderful guitar teachers at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

The post Start Playing the Guitar Like a Boss: My Top 11 Tips For Guitarists In 2023 appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

When it comes to learning how to play guitar most people are able to go an entire lifetime without any sort of guitar-related injury.

For the small percentage who do develop an injury like Carpal Tunnel, Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow or RSI, it can be completely debilitating to the point where we may even stop playing guitar altogether.

I am of the firm belief that almost all guitar-related injuries are caused by three factors, all of which can be controlled by you so that you can avoid injury and play guitar pain-free!

Having suffered on and off from chronic pain in my hands, arms, shoulders, neck and even lower back and even had surgery to fix ongoing issues, I am making it my personal mission to help guitar players either avoid developing a guitar injury entirely or quickly recover from an existing condition by educating you on great practice habits.

In this article, I will share the best guitar stretches and hand exercises that I have discovered that will lead to great posture, less tension and healthier hands so that you can play guitar pain-free once and for all!

Disclaimer – I am not a doctor and am not qualified to give medical advice. I am however a professional guitar teacher with over 15 years of experience. I have cured my own RSI and guitar-related problems and used the hand exercises and stretching routine provided later in this article to great effect with dozens of struggling guitar players who have sought me out.

I am providing advice that is general in nature. If you are suffering from any guitar-related hand or arm pain that lasts beyond three days I recommend you seek advice from a medical professional before trying any of the ideas I present here.

Last thing before we get into it. This is part 2 of a two-part series on RSI and Guitar Related Injuries. If you haven’t read my first article on how to cure RSI and Carpal Tunnel for guitar players I recommend you read it in conjunction with this one.

Common Guitar-Related Injuries

Some of the most common guitar-related injuries are:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Trigger Finger
• Tennis Elbow
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

It is also common to have neck pain, shoulder pain and lower back pain as a chain of effect with your guitar-related injuries.

Many of these injuries have colloquial names and are manifestations of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) effective different muscles and tendons.

Let’s take a look at each injury in more detail:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the median nerve in the wrist is compressed.

This nerve controls movement and sensation in the hand and wrist, and symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and wrist. It is very common to wake up at night with deep throbbing and intense pins and needles.

The cause of carpal tunnel syndrome can be attributed to repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as typing or playing the guitar and is exacerbated by bad posture and excess tension.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the ulnar nerve in the elbow is compressed.

This nerve controls movement and sensation in the hand and forearm, and symptoms can include tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and elbow. It is essentially the same as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome except that it affects the elbow and forearm rather than the hand and wrist.

The cause of cubital tunnel syndrome can be attributed to repetitive elbow movements, such as playing a musical instrument or playing sports. For guitar players having the edge of the guitar dig into their elbow can contribute to the compression of the nerve.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive or overuse.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

The cause of tendonitis can be attributed to repetitive movements and is one of the most common injuries suffered by guitar players. Tendonitis is more common when several activities that require frequent use the hands and fingers overlap resulting in overuse.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis is a condition that occurs when the sheath that surrounds a tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive or overuse.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joint.

The cause of tenosynovitis can be attributed to repetitive movements, such as those you perform when playing and practising your guitar.

I like to think of Tenosynovitis as being caused by excess tension where your tendons are inflamed and grinding against each other, like driving with one foot on the brake and another on the accelerator at the same time.

Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger is a condition that occurs when a tendon in the finger becomes inflamed, causing the finger to catch or lock when bending or straightening.

Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, and a popping or clicking sensation when moving the affected finger as well as the locking of the finger in a bent position looking like you’ve just pulled the trigger of a gun (hence the name)

Trigger finger is an injury unique to guitar players and can take several days to several weeks to calm down.

Tennis Elbow (or Golfer’s Elbow)

Tennis Elbow is a condition that occurs when the tendons in the forearm become inflamed, causing pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow and the top of the forearm.

Symptoms can also include weakness and difficulty gripping objects.

The cause of tennis elbow can be attributed to repetitive arm and wrist movements, such as playing tennis, playing a musical instrument, typing on a computer or using tools. Tennis elbow is one of the most common guitar-related injuries and is a variation of tendonitis.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a term used to describe a range of conditions caused by repetitive or overuse of the hand, wrist, or arm.

Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, weakness, and difficulty with fine motor skills, such as typing or playing guitar.

The cause of RSI can be attributed to repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements, such as those you repeat over and over when playing guitar.

Most of the aforementioned guitar-related injuries are variations of RSI isolated to specific areas of the arms and hands.

Understanding RSI & Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Guitar players are prime candidates for RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome, which occur when the nerves and tendons in the hands and wrists are overused.

RSI can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the hand and wrist, while carpal tunnel syndrome results in tingling, weakness, and numbness in the fingers.

Unfortunately, nothing that you do in life doesn’t involve the use of your hands, which makes it difficult to recover from any hand-related injuries because you can’t actually rest properly.

Instead, you must look at managing your injury over time so that you stop damaging yourself and doing things that contribute to the problem, while gradually changing your environment and your approach to practice so that you heal over time.

What Causes Guitar-Related Injuries

When it comes to guitar-related injuries I’m of the opinion that there are three main causes:

• Practising with bad posture for extended periods of time
• Practising with too much excess tension for extended periods of time
• Bad practice habits

In order to play the guitar humans have to adopt an unnatural position for extended periods of time. If you have one or more of the above-contributing factors and practice over a long enough period of time then it can lead to problems developing.

In addition, if you have two or more factors then it’s possible that you’ll have each compound and end up in pain much sooner.

Let’s dive a little deeper into each factor to take a look at each one.

Bad Posture Can Lead To Carpal Tunnel And Other Guitar Related Injuries

The ideal posture one should adopt when practising guitar is to take on the classical position and keep your shouldars in a T shape at all times.

Instead of craning your neck and hunching over you can use a footstool to keep your guitar the right height and angle. You also use your eyes to look instead of tilting the guitar too far back or holding your neck at an extreme angle.

Most of us can get away with having bad posture for short practice sessions, but if we are doing longer sessions and playing for extended periods not only will we likly develop Carpal Tunnel or RSI, we can get headaches and other strains and muscle aches.

Making minor adjustments to your posture and practice environment can make a big difference. This includes simply being aware of your posture and changing the way that you sit.

It can also include purchasing a nicer chair, a footstool and avoiding sitting on the end of your bed or other chairs that don’t suit quality practice.

Lastly, you can also practice standing up provided your guitar is adjusted to a good height as a means of avoiding sitting. This is especially popular with the rise of standing desks and new research into the dangers of sitting for extended periods of time.

Excess Tension Is the Leading Cause Of Carpal Tunnel And Other Guitar Related Pain

When you first start learning how to play guitar you have to squeeze extra hard in order for the notes to fret correctly.

If you’ve ever seen a little kid learn how to play the guitar this is very obvious as the extra squeezing that they do with the fretting hands causes them to tense up and hit the string harder than necessary with their picking hand.

The extra tension goes through their entire body and causes them to squeeze and pick harder than needed.

Most beginners grow out of this phase once their fingertips harden up, but many people retain the additional tension and it becomes a permanent part of their state whenever practising guitar or playing their instrument.

In addition, some individuals are naturally tense or carry more tension in their bodies. Often they bring the stress and tension of a hard day at work to the practice room and are gripping their guitar white-knuckle tight as they play.

Without realising it, the extra tension they bring to practising is doing damage to their hands. Hobby players who don’t practice all that much may not experience a detrimental effect but it is made worst and more obvious when playing for extended periods like those who are more serious about their guitar playing and spend extended periods of time practising.

Think of excess tension as driving with one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the break. If you do it for too long the car just grinds against itself until it tears apart.

Learning how to first become aware of how much tension you are holding when you play and then taking steps to systematically reduce how much tension you use when playing will lead to much healthier hands and less pain when playing.

Bad Practice Habits Contribute To Carpal Tunnel And Ongoing Hand Pain

This is a broad category but some other contributing factors to chronic guitar pain and RSI include:

• practising for too long without a break
• practising for extended periods of time (3+ hours per day)
• practising specific techniques like bending and vibrato which are very physically demanding for extended periods of time.
• not having a good practice environment set up.
• not having practice equipment that helps with posture and tension
• Only practising technical work
• Pushing through pain and other warning signs

Many of these practice habits are made worse when you have bad posture or too much tension.

The good news is simply becoming aware of better guitar practice habits and taking some steps to create some better routines will lead to very quick reduction in the amount of pain you feel.

Guitar Stretches To Help Ease The Pain

In my previous article about the topic I mentioned that stretching was a great way to reduce the amount of tension that you’re holding in your arms, hands and shoulders.

I even gave you a simple stretch that you can do.

In the video below I outline eight essential stretches and guitar-playing exercises to get you into a relaxed state for playing your guitar.

Let’s go through each of the stretches below:

Guitar Stretch 1- Glory To The Guitar Gods

For every hour you spent leaning forward hunching over a guitar, you should spend 5 minutes stretching out the opposite way.

For this stretch, you are going to stand up straight with your shoulders back. Raise your hands above your head and lean back.

You will feel a stretch in your back and shoulders which will ease the tension all the way down to your fingers. Hold for up to 30 seconds and then lean forward to release the tension.

Guitar Stretch 2 – Forearm Extensions

If you spend a lot of time in an office job or other role where you use your hands for most of the day then this will be a great stretch for you.

Start with your arms bent at a 90-degree angle and then slowly extend your forearm while using your opposite hand to bend your wrist back.

Hold the stretch for 5 seconds and then relax your arm. Do this up to three times before swapping hands.

When it comes to stretching the muscles and tendons in our hands and arms the key is to do short, sharp exercises. You don’t want to hold these stretches for minutes at a time and overstretch them.

Guitar Stretch 3 – Elbow Rolls

This stretch works the top of your forearm and will be great if you suffer from tendonitis or Tennis Elbow.

To perform it you start by raising your hand in front of you. Then hold your wrist with your opposite hand bending your hand down to stretch the forearm. Complete the stretch by rolling your elbow towards the roof as if it were attached to a string being pulled up.

Hold the stretch for 5 seconds and do three repeats before swapping hands.

Guitar Stretch 4 – Shoulder Swirls

This is my favourite exercise and one of the most helpful I had in my own recovery and injury management.

To perform this exercise raise one hand above your head so that it is past your ear. Then rotate it 5 times in a clockwise direction, and 5 times in a counter-clockwise direction.

You’ll probably hear lots of popping and clicking as your shoulder grinds itself out but will feel so much better after it.

Swap sides when you are ready.

Guitar Stretch 5 – Shoulder Rolls

This is a really basic exercise that will free up the tension in your shoulders which you probably learned in primary school.

Referred Pain is a term used for pain that you might feel in one part of your body but is actually caused by a problem somewhere else.

A great example of this is when you may have a leg injury that causes you to walk differently, which in turn leads to you developing lower back pain.

No matter how much you try and treat your lower back until you solve the issue with your leg you won’t solve the underlying problem.

Guitar Stretch 6 – Wrist Rolls

This is a great finger exercise that will free up your wrists of excess tension and keep them supple.

To perform this finger exercise just lock your hands together and rotate them in a figure-8 pattern.

It is more of an exercise than a stretch but will hopefully leave your fingers feeling freer and full of energy.

Guitar Stretch 7 – Back Swivels

This is one of the best exercises for those of you who have lower back pain.

When I used to have V-shaped guitars I would have to sit at a funny angle to make it easier to hold them. This resulted in me having lots of lower back pain.

While the stretch helped in the end it was just better to get rid of the V guitars and buy something that was more ergonomic. My back pain went away overnight.

Guitar Stretch 8 – Shoulder Extension Into Cobra Pose

Our final guitar stretching exercise combines two yoga poses together into one of the best shoulder and lower back stretches you can do.

Both of these stretches will be performed on the floor so make sure you have a suitable space to work with.

Part 1 involves stretching your arms ahead of you and then kneeling back onto your feet so that your shoulders get stretched out.

Part 2 involved leaning forward onto your stomach and then pushing yourself up into a cobra-like pose which releases your lower back. You can even tilt your head back for an added neck stretch.

Creating A Guitar Stretch Routine

now that you know which stretches and guitar finger exercises you need to relax your shoulders and ease excess tension you can create your own routine.

My recommendation is to go through each of the exercises for up to three times each ahead of your practice session each day.

Doing so will ensure you are loose and free of tension ahead of time which will also make it more likely for you to notice any tension that does build up in your body once you start practising.

Pay attention to how your body feels as you do each exercise. Those that feel very tense are indicating that you are either inflexible or carry a lot of tension and should be repeated to build up flexibility and ease tension over time,

Those exercises that don’t really do anything for you can be ignored as some stretches work better for specific injuries.

Regardless, doing all of the exercises will lead to you feeling much better and may even eliminate some of the referred pain caused by weaknesses in other areas of your body.

Avoid Overstretching Before You Practice Guitar

Most of the exercises and stretches we learned targeted small muscles and tendons, not the larger ones you would be using in sports.

For this reason, it is important that you only stretch for short periods of time. Don’t hold stretches for more than 30 seconds and don’t do 20 repetitions of your arm extensions.

Do each exercise three times and change sides if necessary. You can definitely overdo it when it comes to stretching and that can lead to other injuries down the track.

How Many Times Can I Do These Exercises Every Day?

If you are a hobby player you can spend 5 minutes stretching ahead of your guitar practice routine.

If you are a more serious player then you can do these routines up to 3 times per day.

Personally, I like to do the stretches first thing in the morning ahead of my first practice session to make sure I feel great and full of energy for the day.

Then I do a second stretching session ahead of my guitar teaching shifts and often a final session at the end of the day to help me unwind.

I also throw in a number of leg and lower back stretches too but these are more for sport and flexibility than any sort of rehabilitation for guitar injuries.

What To Do If You Have A Guitar-Related Injury?

The first thing you should do is stop playing guitar.

If you’ve hurt yourself or feel any short, sharp stabbing pains in your hands or forearm – STOP!

They are warning signs that something is wrong so listen to your body.

Take a break for a few hours, if you still want to practice it, come back to it later.

If you come back to playing and the pain returns, stop once again and take a full day off.

If you take a full day off and you still feel pain, stop immediately and then go and see a doctor.

Unlike sports injuries where you notice a pop or crunch and immediately feel pain, guitar injuries and overuse injuries are usually be triggered by going over a threshold of activity which brings on pain.

It’s common to do a big practice session on one day, feel tiredness and fatigue in your hands and then wake up the next day in pain or unable to move your fingers. Don’t try to play or push through pain, go and see a doctor.

Recovering From Carpal Tunnel and Other Guitar Related Injuries

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix when it comes to carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar guitar-related injuries.

This is usually because Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the result of long-term bad habits leading to damage to your tendons or compression of your nerves.

What takes a long time to cause, can take a long to time to heal. This is made even more difficult by the fact that nothing you do in life doesn’t require the use of your hands making ‘resting’ virtually impossible.

Instead, you have to manage your symptoms over time. This might mean taking a short break of 3 days to up to a month to let your existing symptoms settle down.

Once your carpal tunnel or tendonitis has calmed down you should then implement steps to reduce or eliminate the causes so that you can avoid future flare-ups.

This can include:

• Implementing a stretching routine into your daily practices to avoid excess tension
• adopting the classical position and being aware of your posture
• Getting lessons from a professional guitar teacher who can help you reduce the amount of tension you are using when playing the guitar and develop good techniques.
• Having a healthy practice routine that incorporates regular breaks
• Setting up a healthy practice environment with a quality chair, music stand and footstool.

Having said all of this, I know guitar players who have had terrible pain when playing and upon having a session with me and changing something as simple as getting a good chair instead of sitting on the end of the bed leading to a full recovery in less than a week.

It might seem simple, but if you solve the cause then you solve the problem.

It’s also worth mentioning that more experienced guitar teachers will have had their own guitar injuries from time to time and usually take steps to avoid them in their own playing and practice. If your regular teacher is quite young it may pay to have several sessions with a more experienced teacher who can set you up with the right posture and position and help you identify and avoid excess tension.

The Golden Rule Of Guitar Related Injuries

The golden rule is that playing guitar should never hurt.

If you’re experiencing pain when you play guitar it is an indication that something is wrong.

This doesn’t include slight finger pain when you’re a total beginner or you haven’t played in a while which is perfectly normal. This is sharp pains, pins and needles, numbness, tingling or really deep throbbing pain similar to sports injuries but in your hands and arms.

If you’re playing guitar and are constantly in pain, it’s time to get help so that you can start playing guitar pain-free.

How I Cured My Ongoing RSI Issues And Finally Started Playing Guitar Pain-Free

Even after I had surgery on my left elbow to decompress the ulnar nerve which was causing cubital tunnel syndrome I still had ongoing issues with RSI and excess tension.

After my grandfather had hip surgery and was back to walking in three days, I couldn’t believe how I was having 2 years of constant hand pain.

So in frustration, I googled “How To Cure RSI”

The result was this (now archived) website called Rachel’s RSI Homage To Dr John Sarno.

I read a few of the testimonials on the page and it sounded like many people had a lot of the same problems that I did, which led me to hope that I would be able to overcome RSI once and for all.

I would read every word on the page which is archived and now available here

More importantly, it led me to discover the works of Dr John Sarno who explored the manifestation of psychosomatic pain in the form of RSI and other repetitive injuries.

After reading his books Healing Back Pain‘ and ‘The Mind Body Prescription‘ I was able to cure myself of all RSI within a couple of weeks.

These books were able to help me when all other options had failed and I believe I had a unique case where I had conditioned myself to feel pain whenever playing guitar. It’s a bit of a woo-woo topic which I am happy to tell you about but perhaps a topic for article #3 on chronic guitar pain.

If (like me) you have seen countless doctors and medical practitioners all whom say nothing is wrong with you and can’t figure out why you’re in pain, reading the books above will hopefully hold the answer and the cure to your pain.

Conclusion

If you think you have any sort of guitar-related injury and you are getting the painful early warning signs then the best thing you can do is stop, rest, and see a doctor if your pain persists.

If you’ve been battling with ongoing pain when playing the guitar, using these exercises outlined here under the guidance of a medical professional will hopefully bring you some much-needed relief.

If you’ve been struggling with constant pain or on-and-off flare-ups of pain over a period of months or even years, I implore you to look into better practice habits, becoming aware of tension and how much you’re using, along with the posture you adopt when playing the guitar.

Fixing just one of these factors will have a big impact on how you feel. Fixing multiple might be life-changing!

If you ever need help I would be more than happy to should you reach out to me,

About The Author

Michael Gumley is a guitar teacher in Melbourne, Australia who has a passion for music and a wealth of knowledge about playing the guitar.

In addition to being an expert in his field, Michael also has a personal connection to the topic of repetitive strain injuries (RSI), carpal tunnel syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome. After battling with these conditions himself and being unable to play the guitar for nearly three years, Michael gained valuable insights into managing the injury and overcoming guitar-related pain. This experience has equipped him with the expertise to help others overcome similar obstacles and continue pursuing their love of music.

If you’re having issues with your own guitar-related injuries then Michael would love nothing more than to help you overcome your injury and start playing guitar pain-free (especially if doctors have told you to give up guitar and find a new hobby).

Get in touch and book a guitar injury management session today.

The post Use This Guitar Stretching Routine To Overcome Carpal Tunnel, RSI & Tendonitis appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Parents often strive to introduce their kids to music and the guitar is a top pick for its versatility and broad use in many contemporary styles of music.

With so many guitar options available, it can be challenging to know where to begin. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you determine the optimal age for your child to begin playing guitar, and equip you with expert tips and advice from a seasoned guitar teacher to help you navigate through getting started on guitar.

Get ready to dive into the following key topics:

• What is the right age to start learning guitar?
• Tips for choosing the right size and style of guitar for your child
• The benefits of starting guitar at a young age
• How to find the right guitar teacher for your child
• How to know what method or learning approach to use
• How to support your child on their learning journey

At What Age Can Children Start Learning Guitar?

One of the most common questions parents ask when it comes to learning the guitar is “What age is appropriate for children to start learning guitar?” The answer is that it varies from child to child, but there are some general guidelines that can help.

Generally speaking, children as young as 4 or 5 years old can start learning the basics of the guitar. However, it’s important to note that every child develops differently, so it’s best to consider their individual needs and abilities. For instance, a child who is smaller or has smaller hands may have trouble playing the guitar until they are a bit older.

On the other hand, if your child shows an interest and aptitude for music at a young age, there’s no reason they can’t start learning the guitar earlier. The key is to find a guitar that is the right size for your child, as well as a teacher who is willing to work with them at their level.

Lastly, if we want our kids to succeed at learning guitar at a young age then we need to change our expectations of what success looks like for their level of development. This means taking a simplified approach to learning and prioritising creating a fun experience over results.

If you are a parent looking for kids guitar lessons in Melbourne then consider enrolling in our specialised children’s guitar lesson programs at Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Tips for Choosing the Right Guitar for Your Child

When it comes to selecting the right guitar for your child, size is the most important factor to consider. Children need a guitar that is the appropriate size for their hands and body, in order to play comfortably and effectively.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a guitar that is around ½ the size of a full-sized guitar for children under 7 and ¾ size for children 12 and under. This will ensure that your child can play comfortably and reach all the frets without straining.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to choose a guitar that is lightweight and easy to play, so your child doesn’t get discouraged. Nylon string guitars are often recommended for younger children, as they are softer and easier on their fingers.

If your child is more into rock music and other genres played on the electric guitar then it’s highly recommended that you start them off on electric guitar if your budget permits. You’ll have to pay a little more to get started but it will be well worth it.

The Benefits of Learning Guitar at a Young Age

Learning the guitar at a young age has numerous benefits for children. Not only does it help to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, but it also helps to develop creativity and self-expression.

In addition, learning the guitar can also boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. As they progress and master new skills, they will feel proud of their accomplishments and motivated to continue learning.

Finally, playing the guitar can also be a fun and social activity for children. It can provide them with an outlet to express themselves creatively, and also allow them to connect with others who share their passion for music.

Our group guitar classes for children are a great way to help your child make new friends, improve their social skills and become part of a team while developing a lifelong appreciation for music.

Finding the Right Guitar Teacher For Your Child

Choosing the right guitar teacher is key to ensuring that your child has a positive and productive experience with the guitar. Look for a teacher who has experience working with children and who is patient, encouraging and supportive.

It’s also a good idea to find a teacher who can offer a variety of lessons and activities that will keep your child engaged and interested. For instance, some teachers may offer lessons that focus on a particular genre of music, while others may incorporate games and activities to make the lessons more fun and interactive.

When searching for a guitar teacher, ask for recommendations from friends, family or music teachers, and read online reviews so you can get real feedback on prospective teachers.

Choosing the Right Learning Materials

In addition to finding the right guitar and teacher, it’s also important to choose the right learning materials for your child. This may include books, videos, apps, or online resources.

When selecting learning materials, it’s important to choose materials that are appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. Look for materials that are engaging, interactive, and challenging, but not overwhelming.

It’s also a good idea to choose materials that offer a variety of learning experiences, such as songs, exercises, and games. This will help keep your child interested and motivated, and also ensure that they are getting a well-rounded education.

At Melbourne Guitar Academy we use the Guitar Ninjas Curriculum written by expert guitar teacher Michael Gumley. This curriculum includes a karate-inspired level-up system where students get earn coloured guitar straps in place of karate belts. It’s a great way to incentivise practice and reward their hard work!

Supporting Your Child’s Journey Learning Guitar

As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s learning. Encourage your child to practice regularly and provide them with a positive and supportive learning environment.

It’s also important to be patient and understanding, as learning a new instrument can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Celebrate your child’s achievements, no matter how small, and provide positive reinforcement to keep them motivated and inspired.

Finally, be open to incorporating music into your daily life, whether it’s by listening to music together, attending concerts or musical events, or simply singing along to songs. This will help to reinforce your child’s love for music and keep them engaged and interested in their guitar lessons.

You might even want to consider taking a handful of guitar lessons yourself so you understand how tricky it can be for them, along with having enough of an understanding to help them out when they need it at home.

In Summary

In summary, learning the guitar can be a fun and rewarding experience for children of all ages.

By choosing the right guitar, the right teacher, and providing both support and encouragement at home, you can help your child develop a lifelong love for music and the guitar. So why wait? Get started today, and watch your child’s musical journey unfold!

If you’re looking for children’s guitar lessons in Melbourne consider booking a free trial lesson with us so we can show your child how fun and easy it is to learn how to play the guitar.

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, a renowned guitar educator based in Melbourne, Australia. With 15 years of experience under his belt, Michael has taught over 10,000 guitar lessons, making him a true master of his craft. Not only has he written 12 comprehensive books on learning guitar, but he also imparts his knowledge and skills to other teachers all around the world through his guitar teacher development programs.

As a father himself, Michael understands the importance of finding a trustworthy and knowledgeable guitar teacher for your child. With his passion for music and dedication to his students, Michael has earned the respect and trust of countless parents who have seen their children flourish under his guidance. Let Michael be the guide on your child’s musical journey and watch as they develop into talented guitarists under his expert tutelage.”

The post Kids Guitar Lessons – What Age Can Kids Start Learning Guitar? Advice From An Expert Teacher appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Learning to play the guitar can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be difficult without proper guidance and support. Group guitar lessons offer a unique set of benefits that can help aspiring guitar players improve their skills, gain confidence, and have fun along the way.

In this article, we will delve into the benefits of group guitar lessons and dispel common misconceptions about group lessons being inferior to private lessons.

We will compare and contrast group lessons to private lessons, highlighting the advantages of each. Additionally, we will explore the instances where private lessons may be more suitable for certain students.

Finally, we will provide practical tips and insights to help you get the most out of your group guitar lessons and reach your full potential as a guitar player. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this article is designed to help you make an informed decision about your guitar learning journey.

The Advantages of Learning in a Group Setting

There are several advantages to learning guitar in a group setting that you miss out on in private lessons.

Some of these benefits include:

1. Increased Motivation and Support: When you take guitar lessons with a group, you will have the opportunity to learn and practice alongside other people who are also learning to play. This can be a great source of motivation and support, as you can encourage and learn from each other.
2. More Opportunities to Ask Questions: In a group guitar lesson, there is usually more time for questions and discussion, allowing you to get answers to any questions you may have.
3. Variety of Playing Styles and Techniques: When you learn with a group of people, you will have the opportunity to hear and see different playing styles and techniques, which can help you improve your own skills and develop a unique playing style.
4. Improved Communication and Social Skills: Group guitar lessons can help you develop better communication and social skills, as you will have the opportunity to interact with other people and form relationships.
5. More Affordable: Group guitar lessons are often more affordable than private lessons, making them a great option for those who are just starting out or those who are on a budget.

The Benefits of Group Guitar Lessons for Children

Children do particularly well in group guitar lessons because almost all of the learning they do takes place in a group setting,

Here are some additional benefits of group guitar lessons for kids:

1. Encourages Collaboration and Teamwork: Group guitar lessons can help children learn the value of collaboration and teamwork, as they work together to learn and perform.
2. Improves Concentration and Focus: Group lessons can help children improve their concentration and focus, as they must pay attention and participate in order to keep up with the group.
3. Increases Confidence and Self-Esteem: When children take group guitar lessons, they have the opportunity to perform in front of others and receive positive feedback, which can increase their confidence and self-esteem.
4. Develops a Love for Music: By participating in group guitar lessons, children can develop a love for music and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Debunking the Myths of Group Guitar Lessons

While many people believe that private lessons are the best way to learn to play the guitar, there are several misconceptions about group guitar lessons that need to be addressed. Let’s take a look at three of the most common misconceptions:

Misconception 1: Group lessons don’t work as well as private lessons

This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, group lessons can be just as effective as private lessons, if not more so, as they offer a unique set of benefits that can help you improve your skills and have fun along the way.

Almost every instance where the learning occurred in your life (including your 12 years of school, 4 years of university, and a lifetime of sports training) took place in a group format. Why do we all of a sudden think learning musical instruments in groups doesn’t work?

Misconception 2: I will be held back by group lessons

Many people believe that group lessons will hold them back because they won’t be able to progress as quickly as they would in private lessons. However, this is not the case.

Group lessons offer the opportunity to learn and practice alongside other people, which can actually help you improve your skills faster. This is true for both children and adults learning guitar.

You’ll also get to learn from the questions of other people who ask things that you never would have thought of but benefit from nevertheless.

Misconception 3: I won’t get to focus on what I want to learn

While it’s true that group lessons are structured around a set curriculum, you will still have the opportunity to focus on the areas of the guitar that you want to learn. Your instructor will work with you to ensure that you are able to receive individualized attention and achieve your goals.

In conclusion, group guitar lessons are a fantastic option for those looking to learn to play the guitar, and these misconceptions about them simply aren’t true. So, if you’re considering taking guitar lessons, consider giving group lessons a try and see for yourself how they can help you improve your skills and have fun along the way.

When are Private Guitar Lessons More Suitable?

While group guitar lessons are a fantastic option for many people, there are instances when private lessons are more suitable. Let’s take a look at three scenarios when private lessons may be the better choice:

Scenario 1: You are preparing for an exam and need specific content

If you are preparing for an exam or a performance and need to focus on specific content, private lessons may be the best option for you.

In these lessons, you’ll receive individualized attention from your instructor, allowing you to focus on the areas you need to work on and make the most of your time.

Having said this, if you have enough students doing the same exam then it can be easy to teach the exam content in a group. (Just like at school.)

Scenario 2: Social issues or developmental issues make group learning difficult

If you have social or developmental issues that make group learning difficult, private lessons may be a better choice for you.

In these lessons, you’ll receive individualized attention and support from your instructor, which can help you feel more comfortable and confident as you learn to play the guitar.

Scenario 3: You actually practice guitar for several hours a week and get the full benefit of individual attention

If you are an experienced player and are already practising several hours a week, private lessons may be a better option for you.

In these lessons, you’ll receive individualized attention from your instructor, allowing you to focus on your specific goals and receive guidance and feedback on your playing.

In conclusion, while group guitar lessons are a fantastic option for many people, private lessons are more suitable in certain scenarios. Whether you’re preparing for an exam, facing social or developmental issues, or are an experienced player, private lessons can help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential as a guitar player.

Conclusion

Group guitar lessons offer a unique set of benefits that can help aspiring guitar players of all ages and skill levels improve their skills, gain confidence, and have fun along the way.

While private lessons are traditionally thought of as being the best means of learning how to play the guitar (or any other instrument for that matter), it is becoming increasingly obvious that this form of learning lacks several features that become available in group lesson programs.

Whether you are just starting out or looking to take your playing to the next level, group guitar lessons are a great option to consider.

About The Author – Melbourne Based Guitar Teacher Michael Gumley

Michael Gumley is a renowned guitar teacher in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about helping aspiring guitar players reach their full potential and has dedicated his life to sharing his knowledge and experience with his students.

Michael has extensive experience as a guitar teacher, having taught hundreds of students over the years. He has a thriving group guitar lesson program and is well-known for his ability to inspire and motivate his students to reach their musical goals.

In addition to his teaching experience, Michael is also an accomplished author, having written several books on learning guitar. These books are widely regarded as some of the best resources for aspiring guitar players and are highly recommended by guitar teachers and students alike.

Michael is passionate about sharing his love for the guitar with others and has dedicated his life to helping students reach their full potential as guitar players.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, Michael’s expertise and passion for the guitar make him a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and reach their musical goals. If you’re looking for wonderful group guitar lessons in Melbourne click the button below to register your interest and book a free lesson with us!

The post Private Lessons Or Group Lessons? Which Is Better For Learning Guitar? appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Everything You Need To Know Before Starting Your Self-Taught Guitar-Playing Journey

The question of whether the guitar can be self-taught is one that many aspiring musicians find themselves asking.

Teaching yourself how to play the guitar is a popular choice for many aspiring musicians, but is it really the best option?

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of learning guitar on your own and provide a step-by-step guide on how to teach yourself guitar using books, YouTube, and online courses.

We’ll also discuss common mistakes made when teaching yourself guitar and why it’s a good idea to supplement your self-taught learning with a real guitar teacher.

Can Guitar Be Self-Taught?

The short answer is yes, guitar can be self-taught.

With the vast amount of resources available online, it’s easier than ever to learn guitar without the guidance of a teacher. From video tutorials to online guitar lessons, the internet is a treasure trove of information for self-learners.

However, it’s important to note that self-teaching requires a great deal of discipline and determination. Without a teacher to hold you accountable, it can be easy to fall into bad habits, lose motivation, or overwhelm yourself by overconsuming content.

Self-Teaching Guitar Versus Learning From A Teacher

When it comes to learning guitar, you have two main options: self-teaching or learning from a professional guitar teacher.

Self-teaching allows for a more flexible schedule and can be more cost-effective, but it can also be more challenging to stay motivated and overcome obstacles.

On the other hand, learning from a guitar teacher provides valuable feedback and guidance, but it also comes at a cost and may not fit into everyone’s schedule.

Ultimately, the choice between self-teaching and learning from a teacher will depend on your learning style and goals.

The Pros and Cons of Self-Teaching

As with any method of learning, teaching yourself to play guitar has its pros and cons. Some of the benefits of self-teaching include:

• Flexibility: When self-teaching, you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
• Cost-effective: Self-teaching is often cheaper than taking formal lessons.
• Tailored learning: With self-teaching, you can focus on the areas of guitar that interest you the most.

On the other hand, some of the downsides of self-teaching include:

• Lack of accountability: Without a teacher to hold you accountable, it can be easy to fall into bad habits or become demotivated.
• Limited feedback: Self-teaching doesn’t provide the same level of feedback as formal lessons.
• Difficulty in identifying mistakes: Without a teacher to point out mistakes, it can be harder to identify and correct them.

You have to weigh up the pros and the cons when making a decision about whether to teach yourself or to get lessons from a real teacher.

How To Teach Yourself Guitar

If you decide to go the self-taught route, there are a few key steps you can take to make the most of your learning journey.

Start with the basics: Before diving into more advanced songs and techniques, make sure you have a solid understanding of the basics. This includes chords, scales, and proper technique.

Use a variety of resources: Don’t rely on just one book or YouTube channel to teach yourself guitar. Mix and match different resources to keep things interesting and ensure that you’re getting a well-rounded education.

Practice consistently: As with any skill, practice is key when it comes to self-teaching guitar. Set aside a specific time each day to practice and stick to it. Consistency is key in order to see progress and improvement.

Be patient with yourself: Self-teaching can be challenging and it may take longer than learning from a teacher. Be patient with yourself and remember that progress takes time.

Break down songs: Listen to a song you want to learn and try to break it down into smaller parts. Once you understand the individual parts, you can work on putting them together to play the entire song.

As you can see, self-teaching guitar can be a great option for those who want to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. However, it’s important to use a variety of resources, practice consistently, and be patient with yourself in order to be successful.

In the next section, we will discuss specific resources you can use when self-teaching guitar such as books, YouTube, and online courses.

How To Teach Yourself Guitar From Books

Books are a great resource for self-teaching guitar, as they provide a structured learning experience and can be a valuable supplement to online resources. There are a wide variety of guitar instruction books available for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Some popular options include the Hal Leonard Guitar Method and the Fender Guitar Method.

If you’re a beginner then I would highly recommend downloading a copy of our free beginner guitar ebook to get you off to a good start.

If you’re a more advanced player then the publisher Fundamental Changes has fantastic books on every niche guitar topic imaginable.

When self-teaching from a book, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind and a consistent practice schedule. Start with the basics, such as learning chords and strumming patterns, and gradually build up to more advanced techniques. It’s also important to supplement your learning with online resources, such as videos and guitar tabs, to help you visualize and understand the concepts better.

How To Teach Yourself Guitar From Youtube

Youtube is a great resource for self-teaching guitar, as it offers a wide variety of guitar lessons from both professional and amateur guitar teachers. Some popular Youtube channels for guitar lessons include JustinGuitar, Marty Music, and Rick Beato.

You can even view my channel here where I have an abundance of free guitar lesson videos with insights that will help aid you as you teach yourself guitar.

When self-teaching from Youtube, it’s important to find a channel that is relevant to your skill level and learning style. Start with basic lessons, such as chord progressions and strumming patterns, and gradually build up to more advanced techniques. Be sure to take notes and practice regularly to solidify your learning.

How To Teach Yourself Guitar Using Online Courses

Online guitar courses are a great resource for self-teaching guitar, as they offer a structured learning experience and can be accessed from anywhere.

As of 2023 there are more online guitar courses than ever and many celebrity guitarists have released their own meaning you get instant access to some of your favourite players.

When self-teaching from an online course, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind and a consistent practice schedule. Start with the basics, such as learning chords and strumming patterns, and gradually build up to more advanced techniques. Be sure to take advantage of the interactive features of the course, such as quizzes and exercises, to solidify your learning.

Common Mistakes When Teaching Yourself To Play Guitar

Self-teaching guitar can come with its own set of challenges, and it’s important to be aware of the common mistakes that beginners make.

From not starting with the basics, to relying solely on one resource, to not having proper technique, these missteps can impede your progress and make the learning process more difficult.

By being mindful of these pitfalls, you can avoid them and set yourself up for success on your guitar learning journey.

1. Not setting clear goals or having a consistent practice schedule
2. Not supplementing learning with online resources or guitar tabs
3. Skipping over basic concepts and jumping to advanced techniques
4. Not seeking out feedback or guidance from more experienced guitar players
5. Developing bad habits, bad posture and bad technique which can hold back your progress or lead to you being unnecessarily frustrated

Why It’s A Good Idea To Learn From A Real Guitar Teacher

While self-teaching guitar can be a great option, there are certain benefits to learning from a real guitar teacher.

A guitar teacher can provide personalized feedback, guidance, and support throughout the learning process.

They can also help you set clear goals, develop a consistent practice schedule, and correct any bad habits that may develop from self-teaching.

If you’re learning guitar from the very beginning then taking lessons guitar lessons with a teacher will be the easiest and most efficient way to get started. You can always head off on your own once a teacher has helped you get the basics down.

Likewise, if you’re a more independent learner you will still benefit from a regular lesson with a guitar teacher. This way they can help you overcome any hurdles you come across when self-learning and can provide you with actionable feedback on your posture, playing and technique, which is something you will never get from a book, online article or youtube video.

Conclusion

Self-teaching guitar can be a great option for those who are motivated, disciplined, and have access to the right resources.

However, it’s important to set clear goals, have a consistent practice schedule, and supplement learning with online resources, guitar tabs, and feedback from more experienced guitar players.

For those who are serious about learning guitar, it’s also a good idea to consider taking lessons from a real guitar teacher, even if it’s only once every few months to get keep you on track and unlearn any ad habits you may have developed.

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, the guitar genius behind this informative blog post. He’s not just a guitar teacher, he’s a guitar Jedi. With 12 books under his belt, he’s basically a walking encyclopedia of guitar knowledge. Not to mention, his Guitar Ninjas curriculum is so good, it’s being used in 20 studios worldwide. And if that wasn’t enough, he’s also the owner of Melbourne Guitar Academy, where students have been shredding their way to guitar greatness since 2015. (oh wow, I used Chatbot to generate that intro)

So, if you’re looking for guitar advice, you’ve come to the right place. If you want to learn from a great Guitar Teacher In Melbourne then get in touch to book a free trial lesson with Michael.

The post Can Guitar Be Self-Taught? The Pro’s & Cons Of Teaching Yourself To Play Guitar appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Learning to play the guitar is a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but it’s important to have realistic expectations about how long it will take.

Many factors can affect the length of time it takes to learn guitar, including your skill level, how much time you spend practising, and whether you learn from a teacher or try to teach yourself.

In this article, we’ll explore the average time it takes to learn guitar, as well as tips and tricks for speeding up the process.

How Long It Takes To Learn Guitar:

The amount of time it takes to learn guitar can vary greatly depending on your skill level and how much time you’re willing to commit to practising.

It is also directly reflective of your goals, what kind of guitarist you want to be and what level of skill you want to acquire.

If you just want to sit around the campfire strumming through some of your favourite songs then you will have a considerably shorter learning pathway than someone who wants to become a heavy metal shredder or a great jazz guitar improviser.

For a beginner, it can take anywhere from 3-6 months to learn the basics, such as chords and basic strumming patterns. For those with more experience, it may only take a few weeks to pick up where they left off. However, to truly master the guitar and develop advanced skills, it can take several years of consistent practice and dedication.

Regardless of your level of ambition, it is important to understand that learning how to play the guitar well is going to take at least 1-2 years of dedicated practice before you become truly comfortable on the instrument. Be prepared to put in more effort over a longer period of time if you have more ambitious goals for your guitar playing.

How Long Does It Take To Play A Song:

The average time it takes to learn a song on guitar can vary depending on the difficulty of the song and your own skill level.

For a simple song, it may only take a few days or weeks to learn the chords and strumming pattern. However, for more complex songs, it can take several weeks or even months to master.

To speed up the process, it’s important to practice regularly and break the song down into smaller sections to focus on. Additionally, learning from a guitar teacher can provide valuable guidance and personalized instruction to help you learn a song more quickly.

At Melbourne Guitar Academy we have a very unique approach to learning how to play any song on guitar which will allow you to play along to any chord-based tune from day 1, even if you’re a total beginner. If you’re looking for a guitar teacher in Melbourne who can get you playing your favourite songs right away, book a free trial lesson with us ASAP.

How Long Does It Take To Play Guitar Solos:

Learning to play solos on guitar can take a significant amount of time and practice. For beginners, it can take several months to a year to develop the skills necessary to play basic solos. However, to play more advanced solos and improvise, it can take several years of consistent practice and dedication.

To speed up the process, it’s important to focus on mastering scales, lead guitar techniques, and the underlying music theory so that you can make sense of what you are doing.

Additionally, learning from a guitar teacher can provide valuable guidance and personalized instruction to help you learn solos more quickly.

One of the things that we do at Melbourne Guitar Academy to speed up the process is to identify what skills, concepts and techniques are relevant to your guitar-playing goals and then create a lesson plan that focuses on helping you work on only the skills you need.

There is no need to learn how to read music or strum chords if you’re goal is to be a great lead player. We’ll just take you right to learning how to play lead guitar and bypass all the unnecessary concepts that aren’t relevant to your goals.

How Long Does It Take To Master The Guitar?

The concept of guitar mastery is subjective and can mean different things to different people.

For some, it may mean the ability to play a wide variety of songs and styles. For others, it may mean the ability to improvise and create original music.

Regardless of your definition of guitar mastery, it can take several years of consistent practice and dedication to reach that level of skill. It’s important to set specific goals and track your progress to help you stay motivated and on track.

As with most guitar-playing goals, getting guidance from an expert teacher will significantly reduce the amount of time it takes to master the guitar.

Why Learning From A Professional Guitar Teacher Is A Great Idea:

Learning guitar from a professional teacher can provide a number of benefits, including personalized instruction, guidance, and feedback. A teacher can help you identify and correct bad habits, provide valuable insights and tips, and help you set realistic goals and track your progress.

Additionally, learning from a teacher can help you stay motivated and on track, which can help you learn guitar more quickly.

Don’t make the mistake of teaching yourself guitar, especially in the beginning. A great teacher will make complex topics easy to understand and provide you with much-needed guidance on what to practice, what to avoid, and what topics to come back to later.

The last thing you want to do is attempt something that is too hard, get frustrated and give up, all because you didn’t know what you were learning was too difficult for you and the resulting bad experience puts you off learning guitar forever.

Why Teaching Yourself To Play Guitar Is A Bad Idea:

While it is possible to teach yourself guitar, it can be much more difficult and time-consuming than learning from a professional teacher.

Without guidance and feedback, it can be easy to develop bad habits and misconceptions about guitar playing. Additionally, teaching yourself can be demotivating, as it can be difficult to gauge your progress and set realistic goals.

Overall, learning from a professional teacher is a much more efficient and effective way to learn guitar.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the amount of time it takes to learn guitar can vary greatly depending on your skill level, how much time you spend practising, and whether you learn from a teacher or try to teach yourself.

It can take several years of consistent practice and dedication. to master the guitar, so be realistic about how much time it takes and be willing to put in the work over a period of several years.

Additionally, learning from a professional teacher can provide valuable guidance, personalized instruction, and help you stay motivated and on track.

Remember to set realistic goals and track your progress in order to achieve your goals.

About The Author

Michael Gumley is the owner and Head Teacher of Melbourne Guitar Academy which he established in 2015.

In addition to being a lover of all things guitar, he is the author of over 12 books on guitar, has created the Guitar Dojo Online Platform and even runs programs to help other guitar teachers develop their skills and become better at what they do.

If you’re looking for guitar lessons in Melbourne look no further than Michael and his team of teachers who have wonderful beginner guitar programs for students of all ages.

Are You Unsure Of Which Guitar To Buy?

Stay tuned for our guide on the best beginner guitars to buy when you first start learning guitar.

In the meantime, you can visit our friends at Macron Music to get sorted out with a first guitar.

Mention that you’re a student at Melbourne Guitar Academy for a special discount.

The post How Long Does It Take To Learn Guitar? appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.