Introduction
Hey… guys! Welcome to this comprehensive guide where we explore the seven best acoustic guitar tutorials available on YouTube. Whether you’re a beginner looking to strum your first chords or an intermediate player seeking to enhance your skills, these tutorials offer a wealth of knowledge and guidance. In this article, we will delve into the advantages and disadvantages of these tutorials, provide you with a detailed table of information, and answer frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision. So without further ado, let’s dive in!
1. Guitar Jamz
🎸 Guitar Jamz is a popular YouTube channel run by Marty Schwartz, a seasoned guitarist with over 20 years of teaching experience. His tutorials cover a wide range of genres, techniques, and difficulty levels. Schwartz’s friendly teaching style and in-depth explanations make it easy for beginners to learn and for more advanced players to improve their skills.
Advantages:
👍 Marty Schwartz’s tutorials are beginner-friendly, with step-by-step instructions and clear demonstrations.
👍 He covers a broad range of genres, from rock and blues to country and fingerstyle.
👍 Guitar Jamz offers a vast library of tutorials, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
👍 Marty’s teaching style is engaging and relatable, making the learning process enjoyable.
👍 The channel has a supportive online community, where students can interact and seek guidance.
👍 Guitar Jamz provides supplemental materials such as chords charts and backing tracks.
👍 The tutorials are free to access, making learning the guitar accessible to all.
Disadvantages:
👎 The sheer volume of tutorials can make it overwhelming for beginners to choose where to start.
👎 Some more advanced techniques may not be covered in depth.
👎 While the content is free, there are additional paid resources available on the website.
2. JustinGuitar
🎸 JustinGuitar, created by Justin Sandercoe, is one of the most renowned guitar tutorial channels on YouTube. With a clear teaching style and structured curriculum, Justin caters to beginners and intermediate players alike, offering a solid foundation to build upon.
Advantages:
👍 Justin’s tutorials are structured and well-organized, providing a progressive learning path.
👍 He covers a diverse range of genres and techniques, ensuring a well-rounded education.
👍 The lessons come with detailed PDF materials, including chord charts and practice exercises.
👍 Justin’s teaching style is friendly and supportive, making learning less intimidating.
👍 The website features a forum where students can interact, ask questions, and seek feedback.
👍 JustinGuitar offers a comprehensive Beginner’s Course that guides you through the fundamentals.
👍 The tutorials are free, with an option to donate to support the channel.
Disadvantages:
👎 Some advanced players may find the content too basic.
👎 The focus is primarily on chords and rhythm playing, with less emphasis on lead guitar.
👎 The vast amount of content can be overwhelming for beginners who prefer a more guided approach.
3. Andy Guitar
🎸 Andy Guitar, hosted by Andy Crowley, is another popular YouTube channel that offers high-quality guitar tutorials. Andy’s tutorials are well-structured, easy to follow, and cover a wide range of genres and playing styles.
Advantages:
👍 Andy’s tutorials are beginner-friendly, with clear explanations and concise demonstrations.
👍 He covers both acoustic and electric guitar, catering to different preferences.
👍 Andy offers a variety of specialized courses, focusing on specific genres or techniques.
👍 The tutorials include supplemental materials such as chord sheets and song lessons.
👍 Andy’s teaching style is engaging, and he provides tips and tricks to enhance your playing.
👍 The website features a supportive community forum where students can interact and seek guidance.
👍 The tutorials are free, with the option to support the channel through donations.
Disadvantages:
👎 Some advanced techniques may not be covered in as much detail.
👎 The curriculum might not be as structured compared to other tutorial platforms.
👎 The channel’s focus is more on teaching songs rather than extensive theoretical knowledge.
4. Marty Music
🎸 Marty Music, hosted by Marty Schwartz (yes, the same Marty from Guitar Jamz), offers a slightly different approach to guitar tutorials. With a focus on popular songs and classic riffs, Marty Music provides engaging lessons that resonate with aspiring guitarists.
Advantages:
👍 Marty’s tutorials revolve around teaching popular songs, appealing to those who want to learn specific tracks.
👍 The lessons cover a wide range of genres, including rock, blues, pop, and country.
👍 Marty’s teaching style is energetic and fun, making learning enjoyable.
👍 He provides clear visual demonstrations alongside detailed explanations.
👍 Marty offers supplemental materials such as chord charts and tabs on his website.
👍 The tutorials are free to access, with the option to donate to support the channel.
👍 Marty Music has a strong YouTube community, fostering interaction and support among learners.
Disadvantages:
👎 The content may be more focused on learning specific songs rather than building a broader skillset.
👎 Some advanced techniques or theory may not be covered extensively.
👎 There might not be as much emphasis on music theory and fundamentals compared to other channels.
5. Acoustic Guitar Videos
🎸 Acoustic Guitar Videos, run by Andrew Wasson, is a channel dedicated to teaching acoustic guitar techniques and theory. With a focus on fingerstyle playing, classical guitar, and music theory, this channel provides a more specialized approach to learning.
Advantages:
👍 Andrew Wasson’s tutorials are in-depth and cover various fingerstyle techniques and classical pieces.
👍 The channel provides an excellent foundation in music theory, helping you understand the technical aspects.
👍 The tutorials are well-structured, guiding you from beginner to advanced levels.
👍 Acoustic Guitar Videos offers sheet music and tabs for the lessons on their website.
👍 Andrew’s teaching style is clear and concise, focusing on technique and musicality.
👍 The channel offers a diverse range of classical and fingerstyle guitar repertoire to explore.
👍 The tutorials are free, with an option to support the channel through donations.
Disadvantages:
👎 The channel primarily focuses on fingerstyle and classical guitar, limiting content for other genres.
👎 Beginners might find some of the advanced concepts and pieces overwhelming.
👎 The tutorials may not cover popular songs or contemporary techniques extensively.
6. YourGuitarSage
🎸 YourGuitarSage, hosted by Erich Andreas, is a YouTube channel that caters to guitarists across all levels. Erich’s comprehensive tutorials cover a vast array of genres, from rock and blues to country and metal.
Advantages:
👍 Erich’s tutorials are comprehensive and cover a wide range of genres and playing styles.
👍 The lessons provide in-depth theoretical knowledge alongside practical exercises.
👍 YourGuitarSage offers specialized courses dedicated to different techniques and genres.
👍 Erich’s teaching style is engaging and encouraging, motivating students to keep practicing.
👍 The website features additional resources, including downloadable materials and jam tracks.
👍 The tutorials cater to players of all levels, from beginner to advanced.
👍 The content is free to access, with the option to support the channel through donations.
Disadvantages:
👎 Some beginners might find the pace of the lessons too fast, requiring additional practice and dedication.
👎 The vast amount of content might be overwhelming for beginners who prefer a more structured approach.
👎 The channel’s emphasis is more on teaching techniques rather than focusing on specific songs.
7. Swift Lessons
🎸 Swift Lessons, hosted by Rob Swift, is a channel that specializes in teaching a variety of guitar styles, from blues and jazz to funk and soul. With a strong emphasis on groove and improvisation, Rob’s tutorials are perfect for those looking to expand their musical vocabulary.
Advantages:
👍 Rob’s tutorials cover a diverse range of genres, allowing players to explore different styles.
👍 The lessons focus on building strong rhythmic skills and improvisation techniques.
👍 Swift Lessons offers tutorials on playing iconic guitar solos, enhancing your lead guitar skills.
👍 Rob’s teaching style is engaging, and he provides detailed explanations with visual demonstrations.
👍 The channel offers supplemental materials, including backing tracks and tabs.
👍 The tutorials are free, with an option to support the channel through donations.
👍 Swift Lessons has an active community where students can interact and seek feedback.
Disadvantages:
👎 Beginners might find some of the advanced techniques challenging, requiring additional practice.
👎 The content may be more geared towards intermediate to advanced players rather than beginners.
👎 The tutorials might not cover as much music theory as other channels, focusing more on practical application.
Complete Information Table
| Tutorial Channel | Genres Covered | Teaching Style | Supplemental Materials | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Jamz | Rock, Blues, Country, Fingerstyle, and more | Friendly and engaging | Chord charts, backing tracks, and more | Free with additional paid resources |
| JustinGuitar | Various genres | Structured and supportive | PDF materials, chord charts, practice exercises | Free with donation option |
| Andy Guitar | Acoustic and Electric guitar, various genres | Engaging and informative | Chord sheets, song lessons, specialized courses | Free with donation option |
| Marty Music | Rock, Blues, Pop, Country | Energetic and fun | Chord charts, tabs, popular song lessons | Free with donation option |
| Acoustic Guitar Videos | Fingerstyle, Classical guitar | Clear and concise | Sheet music, tabs, music theory lessons | Free with donation option |
| YourGuitarSage | Various genres | Comprehensive and encouraging | Specialized courses, downloadable resources | Free with donation option |
| Swift Lessons | Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul | Engaging and groove-oriented | Backing tracks, tabs, iconic solos | Free with donation option |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I choose the right tutorial for my skill level?
Choosing the right tutorial depends on your current skill level and the genre/style you want to focus on. Consider the teacher’s teaching style, the topics they cover, and the difficulty level indicated in their tutorials.
2. Are these tutorials suitable for absolute beginners?
Yes, all the mentioned tutorials offer lessons for beginners. However, it’s essential to start with tutorials specifically designed for beginners to ensure a solid foundation.
3. Can I learn advanced techniques from these tutorials?
While these tutorials cover a wide range of techniques, some advanced techniques might not be covered extensively. It’s advisable to supplement your learning with specialized lessons or seek guidance from experienced guitarists.
4. How often should I practice to progress effectively?
Consistency is key when it comes to learning guitar. Aim for regular practice sessions, even if they’re shorter. It’s better to practice for shorter durations daily than to have infrequent long sessions.
5. Should I take private lessons in addition to using these tutorials?
Private lessons can provide personalized guidance, immediate feedback, and accountability. If you can afford it, combining private lessons with online tutorials can significantly enhance your progress.
6. Are these tutorials suitable for learning specific songs?
Yes, several tutorials mentioned in this article focus on teaching popular songs. Check the respective channels or use the table to find tutorials that cater to your favorite songs.
7. Can I interact with other learners and the tutorial creators?
Many of these channels have active communities where you can interact with other learners and seek guidance from the tutorial creators. Take advantage of these platforms to enhance your learning experience.
8. How long does it take to become proficient on the guitar?
Progression varies from person to person, depending on several factors such as practice consistency, dedication, and natural talent. It’s a lifelong journey, and proficiency comes with continuous learning and practice.
9. What additional resources do these tutorial channels offer?
These tutorial channels often provide supplemental materials such as chord charts, tabs, backing tracks, and PDF lesson materials. Visit their respective websites or video descriptions to access these resources.
10. Can I access these tutorials for free?
Yes, all the mentioned tutorial channels offer their content for free on YouTube. However, some channels offer additional paid resources or provide an option to support them through donations.
11. Will these tutorials help with music theory?
While tutorials primarily focus on practical playing techniques, many of them touch upon music theory to varying degrees. For a more comprehensive understanding of music theory, dedicated lessons or courses may be beneficial.
12. Can I request specific tutorials or song lessons from these channels?
While most tutorial channels take song requests or suggestions from their viewers, it’s important to respect their preferences and availability. Check their official websites or video descriptions for more information regarding requests.
13. How do I stay motivated during the learning process?
Staying motivated can be challenging, especially during plateaus.