Learning to play the guitar can be a fun and rewarding experience for children, but it requires regular practice. 

As an expert guitar teacher with years of experience teaching children, I know that establishing a regular practice routine at home is crucial for your child’s progress. 

In this article, I’ll share some tips on how to help your child establish a regular guitar practice routine at home.

The Importance of Practicing at Home

One of the most important things to remember is that what happens between lessons shapes your child’s progress. 

Regular practice at home is crucial for developing their skills and building their confidence. When your child practices regularly, they’ll be able to master new techniques, learn new songs and make progress towards their goals.

It’s important to set fair expectations on what can be accomplished in a given time frame. Learning the guitar is a journey, and it takes time to master the skills needed to play well. 

Encourage your child to focus on progress rather than perfection and celebrate each milestone along the way.

Who’s Responsible For Practice At Home

It’s essential to remember that as parents, you are responsible for ensuring that your child practices regularly at home. 

Children can’t be trusted to do much of anything on their own, so why do we assume they know how to practice? 

All the best child students I’ve ever had have had their parents actively involved in their practice. You need to be involved in your child’s guitar practice to help them stay motivated and make progress.

Tip 1 – Schedule Guitar Practice into the Timetable

One way to establish a regular guitar practice routine is to make it part of your child’s timetable. 

Set the expectation that guitar time is a daily activity, just like brushing their teeth or doing homework. 

Stick with it long enough to make it a habit. 

It’s crucial to remember that building a habit takes time, so don’t expect your child to get it right from the start.

Forming A Habit Of Daily Guitar Practice

They say it takes 28 days to form a habit. For this reason, we recommend you encourage 5 minutes of practice time every day for the first 30 days of learning guitar.

This will allow your child to get into the habit of practising their guitar every day.

Once they are in the habit of playing the guitar every day, we can extend their practice to 10 minutes. You can extend their practice time by an extra 5 minutes every 2-4 weeks until they are doing the recommended 30m of daily practice.

How Many Minutes Per Day Should My Child Be Practicing Guitar?

In an ideal world, we would recommend that children between the ages 8 & 12 do 30 minutes of guitar every single day.

If your child is under the age of 7 then we want to aim for a maximum practice time of 15 minutes.

As mentioned previously start with 5 minutes a day and increase the duration of their practice time by 5 minutes every few weeks.

Only children who have professional ambitions or who have decided early on that guitar is their thing should practice for hours and hours every day… But if that’s the case they’ll be picking it up themselves with no encouragement from you.

Tip 2 – Sit With Them During Practice

All the best parents sit with their kids and supervise their guitar practice.

Remember, your kids don’t know much about guitar, aren’t very disciplined, and don’t know how to structure a practice routine. So give them guidelines and coach them through the process.

A good guitar teacher will make it easy for you by providing a practice plan and giving feedback on what they need to work on for that week.

If you can play guitar, join in, and make it a fun family activity. 

If you can’t play guitar, consider taking 5-10 lessons so you know the basics. This way, you can provide better guidance and support to your child during practice.

Tip 3 – Play Games to Make it Fun

Guitar playing can be challenging in the beginning, so it’s not going to win over the iPad or PlayStation. However, you can make it more fun by including games in your practice sessions. 

Ask your teacher for some examples of guitar games that you can play with your child. This way, you can make guitar practice a fun and enjoyable experience for your child.

You can also look into apps that gamify the learning process or incorporate watching videos of their favourite guitar players as a reward for a good practice session.

This will inspire them, and show them the benefits of hard work.

Check out some fun guitar games here

Committing to the Long Term

It’s essential to remember that learning the guitar takes time and is a long-term commitment (for both you and your child).

Having expectations that they are going to sound like the guitar player on recording after three months (or even three years) is completely unrealistic on your behalf.

Having the expectation that they are going to want to practice at home all the time is also unrealistic. Remember how much you fussed over things when you were a kid? How about going to sports training or the gym even as an adult?

Talk to your child about how long it actually takes to learn the guitar to a proficient level and try to get them to understand that they need to push through 2-3 years of not being great at it to get to the point where they are.

During this time they need as much encouragement as possible or at least be stalwart when they wish to quit. 

Don’t Let Them Quit

Explain the importance of long-term commitment and remind them that guitar takes a lot longer to learn than most people anticipate.

Most importantly, don’t let them quit. No matter how much they winge, cry, complain, or frustrate you.

They only fail at guitar when you decide it’s time to give up.

Take Action Towards Establishing Their Guitar Practice Routine.

Establishing a regular guitar practice routine at home is crucial for your child’s progress. 

As parents, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your child practices regularly and stays motivated. 

Remember to schedule guitar practice into your child’s timetable, sit with them during practice, play games to make it fun, and commit to the long term.

About The Author – Kids Guitar Education Expert Michael Gumley

Meet Michael Gumley, a guitar teacher with over a decade of experience in teaching students of all ages and skill levels.

Michael’s love for the guitar began in 2005 when he first picked up the instrument. His passion for teaching led him to start his own guitar-teaching business in 2008.

Since then, he has taught over 1000 students and delivered more than 10,000 guitar lessons.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary and has released 5 albums, toured nationally and internationally twice, and authored 12 books on guitar playing and teaching.

He is also the creator of the Guitar Ninjas Curriculum, which is used in 20 studios around the world.

In addition to his successful career as a guitarist and author, Michael has made a significant impact on the guitar teaching industry.

He founded Melbourne Guitar Academy in 2015 and created the 6 Figure Guitar Teacher Program, a course that helps solo guitar teachers grow their studio to six-figure incomes.

Michael is also a board member for the Victorian Music Teachers Association and has travelled to Chicago to be a trainer at the Ultimate Creativity Week, a 6 day guitar-playing event.

Michael’s passion for teaching guitar has helped him create a fun and engaging learning environment for his students at his Melbourne Guitar Academy studio. He believes in tailoring lessons to each student’s individual needs and giving them what they need to reach their full potential. 

If you’re looking for a qualified and experienced guitar teacher for your child, skip googling guitar teacher near me and reach out to Michael directly for the best guitar lessons in Melbourne.

The post How to Help Your Child Establish a Regular Guitar Practice Routine at Home appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.

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.

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.

One of the biggest challenges that guitarists face is learning scales and making music out of them.

Many beginners find it hard to master the use of scales and play them fluidly, but with the right approach, it’s possible. In this article, I will take you through some of the most common problems faced when learning scales on guitar, and my favourite memorisation method which I’ve helped thousands of guitarists use to better learn scales.

Common Problems Faced When Learning Scales On Guitar

There are several common problems that guitarists face when learning scales, including:

• Struggling to remember the notes in the scale
• Inconsistent finger placement
• Slow playing speed
• Difficulty in transitioning between different positions
• Lack of fluidity when playing the scale
• Having to relearn scale patterns over and over again

These problems all stem from the core problem of not knowing the scale well enough and not learning in a way that is conducive to long-term retention in memory.

Wouldn’t learning how to play the guitar be so much better if you could just learn your scales once and remember them forever? Let’s learn how.

Chunking – The Best Way To Learn Scales On Guitar

The best way to learn scales on guitar is to use a technique called “chunking”.

Chunking is the process of breaking down a complex task into smaller, more manageable pieces. This makes it easier to learn and remember, and also helps you build up to playing the scales more fluidly.

Here’s how you can apply chunking to learning scales on guitar:

• Start by practising just a few notes of the scale at a time
• Once you’ve mastered those few notes, add a few more
• Keep adding notes until you can play the entire scale
• Practice playing the scale in different positions on the fretboard

By breaking down the scale into smaller pieces, you’ll find it easier to learn, remember, and play.

How To Play A Minor Pentatonic Scale On Guitar

A minor pentatonic scale is a great place to start when learning scales on guitar. Here’s how you can play it:

• Start by placing your first finger on the 5th fret of the low E string and your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the same string. – Play these two notes 3x.
• Play the 5th fret and 7th fret on string 5 – play these two notes 3x then connect them to the original two notes 3x.
• Add in the 5th and 7th fret on string 4. Repeat the process of playing the new string 3x and adding in the previous strings.
• Add in frets 5 and 7 on the third string.
• Play frets 5 & 8 on string 2
• Play frets 5 & 8 on string 1
• After playing each string individually three times, put the entire scale together!

By learning the scale on guitar this way you’ll only have to learn the scale once, but will remember it forever. More importantly, every future practice session can be spent improving the scale instead of relearning it!

Applying This Method To Learning Other Scales On Guitar

Once you’ve mastered the minor pentatonic scale, you can apply the same learning process to other scales. Simply break down the scale into smaller pieces, practice each piece until you’ve mastered it, and then move on to the next. (Going string by string works best!)

Below is a list of scales you should learn to play on guitar:

• All 5 Minor Pentatonic Scale Shapes
• The Major Scale (and all 7 of its modes)
• The Minor Scale
• The Dorian Scale
• The Mixolydian Scale
• The Lydian Scale
• The Melodic Minor Scale
• The Harmonic Minor Scale
• The Double Harmonic Scale

Troubleshooting & Additional Levels

If you’re having trouble learning scales on guitar, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here are a few tips to help you troubleshoot:

• Break the scale up into individual strings and practice each one in isolation before putting it all together.
• Go as slow as you need in order to play the notes without making a mistake. If you’re making mistakes then slow down!
• Reach out to a guitar teacher for help.
• watch my video on how to learn scales so you can see my method in action.

If you’re looking for additional levels, try exploring different scales and modes. Each scale has its own unique sound, and by mastering them, you’ll develop a broader understanding of music theory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning scales on guitar can be a challenging task, but with the right approach and some perseverance, you’ll be playing them fluidly in no time.

By using chunking, playing slowly at first, and practising effectively, you’ll quickly learn how to play scales and make running up and down the guitar fretboard effortless.

If you liked this lesson on Scales you can apply a similar approach to learning chords with our article “how to quickly and easily memorise guitar chords”

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, an experienced guitar teacher with over 15 years of experience.

Michael has had the privilege of teaching over 1000 students to play guitar and has a passion for combining learning psychology and memory hacks with modern teaching methods. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Michael has honed his craft and developed a teaching method that truly works. He is committed to helping his students reach their full musical potential and has a reputation as a trustworthy and expert guitar teacher.

Whether you are a beginner guitarist or an experienced musician, Michael has the skills and expertise to help you reach your goals and become the guitarist you’ve always wanted to be.

If you’re looking for guitar lessons In Melbourne get in touch to book a FREE trial session with Michael.

The post The Best Way To Learn Scales On Guitar In 2023 – Expert Teacher Shares His Guitar Learning Hacks 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.

Introduction

As a beginner guitarist, you may have heard conventional advice such as “practice every day” or “start with simple chords.”

While these tips are valuable, there are also less conventional but equally important lessons to keep in mind as you begin your musical journey. 

From recognizing that learning the guitar takes time to find a great teacher and setting achievable goals, these lessons will help set you on the path to success as a guitarist. 

Don’t be afraid to challenge the norm and explore these unconventional yet crucial beginner guitar lessons.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 1: Learning Guitar Is Going To Take A Few Years

One of the most important things to understand about learning the guitar is that it takes time. It’s not something you can master overnight. 

You should have a long-term approach to your practice and be patient with yourself. It’s important to understand that everyone develops at their own pace. 

You may need to work on certain skills for a few months or even a year to get them right, but with persistence and dedication, you’ll get there.

Your Mindset Towards Learning Guitar Is What Matters

What most people do is severely underestimate how long it takes to get comfortable with most of the basics like changing chords and developing smooth fingers.

This is made worse when you listen to professionals on record and wonder why you can’t keep up when the reality is you are comparing where you are after 3 months to where they were after 10 years.

It’s an unfair comparison, so don’t make it!

You will do much better to approach guitar with the mindset that it’s going to take you at least 3-5 years to get really comfortable on the instrument, so don’t give up prematurely.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 2: A Great Guitar Teacher Will Make Everything Easier

A great guitar teacher can make all the difference in your learning process.

A good teacher will give you feedback, help you identify areas you need to work on and create a personalized practice plan that suits your individual needs and goals. 

They can also help you stay motivated and make the learning process more enjoyable. 

You can find a great teacher by asking for referrals from friends who play guitar, reading online reviews, or looking for a teacher in your local area.

The best way to find a great teacher is to search for “guitar teacher near me” on your favourite browser and then screen the top 5 results to find the teacher who best matches your needs.

Beginner Guitar Lesson 3: Set Goals And Work Towards Them

As a beginner, it’s important to set achievable goals. 

This could be learning a new chord progression, playing a new song, or even just getting comfortable with the instrument. 

Setting goals helps to keep you motivated and focused. When you reach your goals, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and be motivated to set new goals for yourself.

A great way to set goals is using the SMART Goals system. This is where you set goals that are:

• Specific – where you have a clearly defined outcome in mind.
• Measurable – where you can measure your progress or achievement.
• Achievable – It has to be grounded in reality and something that you can achieve
• Relevant – It needs to be relevant to your long-term goals.
• Time-Based – Putting a deadline on your goals will give you a reason to take action.

Setting goals will allow you to organize your guitar practice and make consistent progress towards your desired outcome.

Bonus Guitar Lesson – How To Find The Best Guitar Teacher In Your Area

The best way to find a great guitar teacher is to ask for referrals from friends who play guitar, reading online reviews, or googling the phrase “guitar teacher near me”. 

You can also ask music stores for recommendations, or look for online resources such as guitar forums and online communities.

Make a list of the top 5 candidates and reach out to them via phone or email so that you can get a better idea of how they can help you learn guitar.

When screening a prospective teacher here are some important questions you should ask them:

• Do you offer a free trial lesson?
• What is your approach to guitar teaching?
• How will you help me work towards my long-term guitar-playing goals?
• Why should I study with you over any other guitar teacher in my local area?

Remember, there is so much more to finding a guitar teacher than simply price and location. A good teacher will cost a little more and might require you to travel a little further, but will save you lots of time, money and frustration in the long run.

In Summary

Learning guitar for the first time as a beginner can be challenging, but with the right approach and guidance, you can become a great musician. 

Take your time, find a good teacher who can give great beginner guitar lessons, and set achievable goals. 

With these three important lessons in mind, you’ll be on your way to a successful and enjoyable guitar-playing journey.

The Most Important Guitar Lesson For Beginners Ever!

One final point – If everybody who wanted to learn guitar decided that they were going to take 5 years of consistent lessons before making the decision to give up, the whole world would be full of great guitar players!

As long as you stick with learning guitar long enough, it’s inevitable that you’ll eventually get good at it.

Never give up, and your dreams of becoming a great guitar player will eventually become reality.

About The Author

Michael Gumley is a professional guitarist, music teacher, and blogger with a passion for helping others learn the guitar. 

With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Michael has honed his skills as a guitarist and teacher, and has a wealth of knowledge to share with others. He has a talent for breaking down complex concepts and making them accessible to beginners, and his passion for music and teaching shines through in everything he does. 

Whether through his blog posts, guitar lessons, or online tutorials, Michael is dedicated to helping others achieve their musical goals.

If you found this lesson helpful, check out another great beginner guitar lesson on how to play along to your favourite songs here!

You can also view my Youtube Channel for a ton of free guitar lesson videos many of which have great tips for beginner guitar players

The post The Three Most Important Guitar Lessons For Beginners In 2023 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.

What to Consider When Buying Your First Guitar in Australia

Buying your first guitar can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure what to look for.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced player looking for a new instrument, there are many factors to consider.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 best guitar brands for beginners in Australia for 2023, and give you some tips on what to look for when buying your first guitar.

Buying Your First Guitar As A Beginner

When buying your first guitar, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, consider your budget. Guitars can range in price from a few hundred dollars to thousands, so it’s important to set a budget before you start shopping. Try to avoid getting the cheapest guitar you can because quality is usually reflective of price and a $50 Kmart guitar is likely to be more of a toy than a musical instrument.

Next, think about the type of music you want to play. Different types of guitars are better suited to different genres of music, so make sure you choose one that will help you achieve your musical goals. This means that if you prefer music that is played on an electric guitar, then it is perfectly fine to buy an electric guitar as your first instrument.

Finally, consider the features you want in a guitar. Things like the number of strings, the type of wood, and the size of the body can all affect the sound and playability of the guitar. Generally, most guitarists should start on a 6 string guitar.

What to Look for in a First Guitar

When looking for a first guitar, there are a few key features to consider.

One important feature is the number of strings. Guitars can have 6 or 12 strings, but for beginners, it’s recommended to start with a 6-string guitar as it’s easier to play and learn on.

Another important feature is the size of the body as it can affect the playability of the guitar. Smaller body size is generally more comfortable for children and most beginners to play while having a guitar that is too big makes it hard to reach and difficult to play.

Many guitar gurus will place a lot of importance on the type of wood used. While different types of wood can affect the sound and tone of the guitar, you’re probably not going to notice any difference when you’re a total beginner. This means you can avoid getting upsold into a premium wood guitar by the sales rep at your local guitar shop.

The Best Guitar Brands For Beginners

There are many great guitar brands out there, but just like cars some of the better brands come with a hefty price tag.

Some guitar brands are known for their great beginner guitar models while some of the more prestigious brands will release more affordable versions of their popular guitars under a different moniker.

Brands like Valencia and Ashton are Australian guitar companies that target the beginner guitar market. Yahama is another brand with a reputation for high-quality instruments at both the beginner and pro levels.

Leading guitar brands like Fender and Gibson manufacture professional-level instruments with big price tags on them but also have more affordable brands that are targeted at beginners and hobby musicians. Fender’s cheaper brand is Squier while Gibson owns the sub-brand Epiphone, both of which make great guitars for beginners looking to buy their first guitar.

Let’s take a look at these brands in more detail.

Valencia Guitars – Best Acoustic Guitars For Beginners

Valencia guitars are a popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia.

They offer a wide range of models at affordable prices, making them a great option for those on a budget. Valencia guitars are known for their good quality and durability, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles.

They are made with a combination of wood such as spruce, mahogany, and rosewood but only make acoustic guitars.

Valencia makes quality guitars in quarter, half, and three-quarter sizes making them ideal first guitars for kids and teen learners. For this reason, they are our #1 recommended guitar brand for children.

Ashton Guitars – The Best Budget Guitars For Beginners

Ashton guitars are another popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia.

They offer a wide range of models at affordable prices and are known for their good quality and durability.

Ashton guitars come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles and unlike Valencia, makes electric guitar models and starter packs to target students who like rock music and want to go down the electric guitar pathway.

If you’re looking for an affordable electric guitar and want to support an Australian business then Ashton Guitars are the way to go.

Yamaha Guitars – The Best Guitars For Beginners

Yamaha guitars are one of the most well-known and respected guitar brands in the world.

They offer a wide range of models for beginner guitarists, including acoustic and electric options.

Yamaha guitars are known for their good quality and durability, and they come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles.

While Yamaha guitars are slightly more expensive than both Valencia and Ashton guitars, there is a noticeable jump in quality making them a favoured recommendation by guitar teachers in both classical guitar and contemporary styles.

Whether you’re looking for a nylon string classical guitar, steel string acoustic or electric guitar starter pack Yamaha Guitars have high-quality, wallet-friendly options for first-time guitar buyers of all ages.

Fender Squier Guitars – Best Value Beginner Guitars

Most beginner guitarists aspire to one day own a Fender guitar.

Whether it’s the famous Fender Stratocaster popularised by Jimi Hendrix or the iconic Telecaster used by Keith Richards, most aspiring guitar players dream of one day owning a real Fender guitar.

Getting a real Fender guitar brand new is likely to set you back at least $1200 (not including an amp) which is way out of the price range for most beginners who are unsure of the longevity of their new hobby.

Fortunately, Fender launched it’s own sub-brand called Squier Guitars to release classic models at a more affordable price range.

While mostly made in China, these guitars are a great option for beginner guitarists looking for a high-quality instrument at a lower price point.

They are more affordable versions of the famous Fender brand and are known for their good quality and durability. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different playing styles. They also come in several beginner guitar combo packs allowing you to get started with an amplifier, guitar and everything you need in a convenient all-in-one package.

Epiphone Guitars – The Best Electric Guitars For Beginners

Just like Fender has Squire, Gibson Guitars has Epiphone.

Epiphone guitars are another popular choice for beginner guitarists in Australia. They offer a wide range of models like the classic Les Paul (made famous by Slash, and Jimi Page) and the Gibson SG (the favourite guitar of Angus Young from AC/DC) at affordable prices.

You can get standalone guitars or buy a beginner guitar pack in sizes for both adults and kids without the $2000+ price tag that a low-end real Gibson guitar will set you back.

If you’re seeking that classic rock vibe and want to look like a real rock star, then a guitar starter pack from Epiphone is the way to go.

Beginner Guitar Lessons From A Real Guitar Teacher

While it is possible to learn to play the guitar on your own, having a guitar teacher can greatly accelerate your progress.

A good guitar teacher can help you learn the basics, correct any bad habits, and give you guidance on what to practice.

They will also be happy to recommend a great first guitar to purchase and may even have connections at a local store where you can get a discount.

When looking for a guitar teacher, it’s easy to google guitar teacher near me and go with the first option out of convenience.

My recommendation is that you research at least three teachers in your area and consider their qualifications, experience, and teaching style. Ask if you can book a trial lesson, read their testimonials and watch videos of their lessons before committing to a teacher.

Conclusion

When it comes to buying your first guitar, there are many options available. Companies including; Valencia, Ashton, Yamaha, Fender Squier, and Epiphone are all great options for beginner guitarists and are readily available in most music shops and guitar stores in Australia.

Consider your budget, the type of music you want to play, and the features you want in a guitar when making your decision and don’t be afraid to spend a little more for a quality guitar.

Remember to also take into consideration the number of strings, the type of wood used, the size of the body, and the overall sound and playability of the guitar.

Lastly, don’t forget to find a good guitar teacher to help you on your journey. With the right guitar and the right teacher, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident guitarist.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be able to find the best guitar brand for you as a beginner guitarist in Australia.

About The Author

Meet Michael Gumley, the guitar-slingin’, riff-ripping, shreddin’ sensation from the land down under (Melbourne, Australia to be exact). With over 15 years of experience under his belt, he’s been teaching guitar to Melbourne’s masses and turning them into black belt-level guitar ninjas at his studio Melbourne Guitar Academy.

Don’t just take our word for it, Michael is considered by many (and by many we mean not just Michael and his dear mother) to be the best guitar teacher in Melbourne. He’s written 12 books on guitar, made over 1000 videos for his online guitar school, and even developed his own curriculum which is taught in over 20 guitar schools all around the world.

But Michael isn’t content with just being a guitar master himself. He’s dedicated to training the next generation of guitar teachers through his teacher development programs so they can have a bigger impact on their own students. He’s on a mission to make sure the world is filled with guitar-playing, riff-making rockstars.

When he’s not teaching, you can find Michael shredding on stage, writing the next guitar anthem or chugging down a cold one (or two) with his mates. With Michael, you’ll not only become a guitar master, but you’ll also have a great time doing it.

The post The 5 Best Guitar Brands for Beginners in Australia for 2023 appeared first on Melbourne Guitar Academy.