Group guitar lessons vs online lessons: Pros and cons of each so you can progress faster and play guitar sooner

Many of us worry that we’re not making the most of our guitar study time. 

Whether you’re self-teaching, paying a private guitar tutor, or learning bits and pieces from YouTube, it’s common to wonder if there’s a better way. 

If you feel like you’re not making progress, it could be time to try something different – maybe with online guitar lessons or in-person group lessons. 

To help you figure out if either of these options is right for you, I’ll examine the pros and cons of each and throw in my opinions along the way.

In this article, you’ll also discover different learning styles and why certain people find more success with a specific learning environment.

Learning how to learn

So, what are the different types of learning styles you need to be aware of so you can learn guitar faster and more effectively?

Everybody has their own preferred way of absorbing new information. 

For some people, it can be tough to sit and memorize all 126 fretted notes on the guitar. 

For others, the CAGED system of visualizing patterns, scales, and shapes can make this process super easy. 

Discovering how your mind works and processes information can be like gaining a superpower when it comes to mastering guitar playing.

The best part is, once you find out your preferred style it’ll benefit many other areas of your life too.

Understanding how to learn effectively will inspire you to take on bigger challenges in your guitar lessons. 

From the shortlist below, see which style you identify with most – this is called your predominant learning style. 

The four learning styles

• Aural/auditory: Learn by hearing or engaging in discussions.
• Reading/writing: Taking notes or reading.
• Kinetic: Tactile and physical input. 
• Visual: Picture aids, presentations, and lesson outlines.

Take some time to find what suits you best – for many people, a hybrid of two or more different styles can also work well.

Here’s more about the theory of learning styles and how they relate to learning music

👉 Book your lesson today at Marvin Empire – Online, Home, or In-Studio.

‍

In-person group guitar lessons vs online lessons: What’s the difference?

Firstly, online lessons are a totally different environment from face-to-face group guitar lessons – getting the most from either of these depends on your personality. 

• Some people prefer the traditional method of learning with an in-person guitar teacher, so group lessons can be the perfect fit for people looking to experience something with a more social aspect. 
• An added benefit is that group lessons are considerably cheaper than 1-on-1 lessons.

Online lessons are a great fit if you like to study at your own pace, around your busy schedule and like the idea of being part of an online guitar community with members globally, including near you. 

Guitar education platforms have come a long way in the last few years and are much better at catering to people’s specific needs and goals. 

• When online lessons first appeared on the scene, the majority of them were just simple video tutorials
• Guitarists had been learning from VHS tapes and DVDs for a long time, so online videos were just an updated version of an old format.
• It took a while for companies to realize that much more could be done with this new technology – classes could be interactive.

Here at Pickup Music, we work hard to make the online guitar learning platform as useful for beginners and intermediates as possible.

Whether it’s getting advice from our team about what to study, receiving personal feedback on your playing, or chatting with an awesome community in the forums and video meetups.

That’s before we even get into genre-specific guitar courses and interactive jams. 

There’s a ton of cool stuff you can do with online learning these days. 

Of course, all that means nothing without decent instructional guitar videos – if you want a taster of that, here’s a freebie…

‍

‍
So what about the other side of the coin?

There are beginner guitar players who have taken major leaps in their playing through group lessons.

• Being able to practise with others is a fantastic experience to grow social skills both musically and personally. 
• Having the opportunity to share new discoveries with other guitar enthusiasts can be deeply encouraging – especially when you’re first starting out. 
• It’s also a great way to form new irl friendships and gain guitar buddies to jam with.

Group lessons offer a level of live interaction that can help players improve their performance skills and get over stage fright. For guitar players who dream of starting their own band, group lessons can be a great way to get a feel for that.

For players who dream of starting their own band, group lessons can be a great way to get a feel for that.

What are the benefits of group guitar lessons?

Group guitar training sessions are the perfect environment for players who have little to no experience with the guitar. 

Because everyone in the room will usually be at a similar level – it’s reassuring to be around other people who are at the same stage as you.

Have you ever heard the quote “two heads are better than one”? 

Learning alongside other guitarists can have significant benefits to your playing, especially early on. 

• The opportunity to watch other people figure things out can help fuel more of those lightbulb moments for visual or auditory learners.
• Some people can be more confident than others in the classroom setting and group guitar tutorials can offer you the chance to learn from someone else’s questions. 
• Group lessons can turn into mini think tanks which is great for interacting and building knowledge. 

Here’s a quick recap on the benefits of group lessons:

• Get to know others on the same journey as you.
• Meet new people to jam with.
• Learn from other players’ learning discoveries.
• Gain a sense of accountability.
• Get instant feedback.

What if you’re beyond the beginner guitarist stage?

Adult group guitar lessons also exist for intermediate and more advanced players – often referred to as clinics, masterclasses, or group seminars.

• These kinds of group lessons can be conducted like an interview with an experienced professional. 
• You can find numerous guitar masterclasses with the world’s top players online and there are often masterclasses happening locally at universities, colleges, or performing arts spaces.
• If you are an intermediate or advanced guitarist looking for the next level in your playing, this could be a useful avenue.

As well as the opportunity to have your personal questions answered, most guitar clinics also offer the chance to share the stage with a professional guitar god.

Here’s an example of a masterclass with guitar guru Paul Gilbert:

‍

‍
Guitar clinics and masterclasses can sometimes feel a little scary to take part in, but they remain incredible opportunities to learn from the best in the business right before your eyes. 

With the availability of online video platforms, you can discover past masterclasses with many of your musical heroes and pick up secret tips that many are not aware of. 

Clinics and masterclasses from popular websites teaching guitar lessons online are not always recorded, so it’s still preferable to log-in live.

👉 Book your lesson today at Marvin Empire – Online, Home, or In-Studio.