Starting My Guitar Journey: Lessons or Self-Taught?

Hi everyone! I’ve been wanting to learn how to play the guitar for quite some time now. I recently finished my final year exams, so I have a lot of free time since I no longer have to attend school. Lately, I’ve just been playing The Last of Us and other games :smiling_face_with_tear:. But then I remembered my interest in guitar and talked to my mom about it. She’s totally supportive and even offered to pay for lessons, but now I’m wondering is it better to take lessons or should I try learning on my own? If I go the self-taught route, I can save my mom some money too.

What do you guys think? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

5 Likes

Congrats on finishing your exams! :tada: I think it really depends on your learning style. If you’re someone who needs structure and guidance, lessons might be worth it. But if you’re disciplined, there are tons of resources online that can teach you the basics. I personally learned through YouTube and guitar tabs!

1 Like

I say go for lessons, at least in the beginning. Having a teacher can help you avoid picking up bad habits early on, and they can explain things in a way that’s tailored to your skill level. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can always switch to self-learning later.

1 Like

I’m actually self-taught, and while it took a bit longer to figure things out, I loved being able to go at my own pace. It saved money, and I didn’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s schedule. Plus, the internet has endless tutorials and communities like this one to help!

I started with lessons and it was super helpful for learning the fundamentals, especially with things like finger placement and technique. Once I got more comfortable, I started practicing on my own. If your mom’s offering to help, maybe give lessons a shot!

I was in a similar situation. I went the self-taught route, but I hit a wall pretty quickly. Eventually, I took a few lessons and that made a big difference. If you’re serious about getting better fast, I’d say lessons are the way to go. Plus, it’s awesome that your mom is willing to support you!

I’m all for self-learning! You can literally find everything you need online, from beginner tutorials to advanced techniques. And you can learn at your own pace without having to spend money. But if you do go the DIY route, stay consistent with your practice!