One to One Guitar Tuition vs Learning on YouTube - Which Works Better?

For beginners or for players who haven't yet perfected their techn I would recommend one to one tuition. In person is probably best, but an experienced teacher (maybe one who taught online through COVID) online one to one can be a good option.

As a guitar teacher with 25 years teaching experience, I have had numerous students come to me that need help correcting the mistakes that they have made learning from Youtube. Why is this so? Youtube is great because it is free and convenient. And there is LOTS of information on there.

The problems lie with the fact that Youtube can't correct mistakes. It also can't understand how the student thinks and set them tasks based on their abilities.

The student could be learning something that is described as 'for beginners' but they still struggle with learning it. Why? All of the above. What is beginner level for one person, could be grade one or two for the next person. This would be depending on age and ability.

So, if you are serious about learning guitar, and not wasting your time, get a good teacher, it will save you lots of time!

Even intermediate to advanced players can get stuck in a creative rut, or they need someone to help re- ignite their playing or passion for guitar and pin point what they need to improve on.

Youtube is a great resource for accomplished players who want some new things or ideas to work on. Or for intermediate players who want to simply learn the chords or strumming pattern to a song. But, for really getting into learning an instrument, their is no substitute for one to one tuition.

Mark Leedham (BMus Hons)

25 years teaching experience including London College Of Music and Worcester Rockschool. I also teach for Severn Arts, Encore music service and am founder and teacher at Guitar Lessons Malvern.

I am also a recording artist and live music performer.