Guitars

Learning guitar – books, dvds or private lessons? or all of the above?

I’ve been playing guitar for about a year and can play chords and a couple scales, but my technique, the way I hold the guitar and play notes and the way I strum is really bad. I never got the basics down and ended up forming a lot of bad habits that make it difficult to play, and don’t sound very good. I’m wondering if I should get some DVD lessons or books or see a guitar teacher? Guitar teachers are a lot more expensive than books and DVDs, so I’m wondering if there’s a benefit in that. Also, wondering what DVDs and books I should get if I do get some.

Two opinions
Teaching your self.
Do you want to learn all that great guitar players learn, or do you want to be able to play some fun songs right away. Most of us are not patient enough to go through so much that some teachers and web sites want you to do.
Hunt through as many web sites as you can find (Beginning Guitar) until you find one that works for you.

This is the most popular way to learn guitar. Millions have tried it. Many encourage beginners to do it. Some succeed. Maybe you could be one of them.
It sounds like a great idea. After all it is free, and you can learn at your own pace. No teacher to tell you what you have to do.
There are thousands of books, videos and internet sites to help. Some of the internet sites are even free.
Why are there so many books, videos and internet sites to help? Because few can learn using the one that was recommended, so the player starts looking for something else.
Some who want to learn on their own, go to the books and videos since they are cheaper than lessons. Music stores sell so many books. (Last time I checked at the local music store there were 27 different beginner guitar books) Quite a few videos.
The music stores also have guitar classes and private lessons. Some schools have class lessons. The lesson prices are more. Sometimes a class for 3 to 6 months may cost less than one private lesson.
I assume you want to succeed. You might do it by any of the methods,
The Internet site seems to have the most failures,
Videos do a bit better but still almost all quit during the first year.
Private lessons have a better record. Only 2/3 quit the first year.
Surprising to many your best chance of still playing the guitar after one year is to take classes. Classes allow you to see and hear what the teacher and other students are doing. It also allows them to see and hear you and to help you to solve the many problems and questions that you will have.

The choice is yours.

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