Want to learn to play acoustic guitar songs? How do you go about doing this? You have basically 5 options...get a private instructor... group music lessons...use an online program...read a book...get a friend or relative to teach you...or teach yourself.

Which is the best?

Advantages of online programs...

It depends on what your circumstances are. If you want to master the instrument without paying a lot of money then I would strongly suggest online home music lessons as opposed to a private teacher.

Lesson software is much cheaper and just as effective. They will give you a step by step roadmap to follow to keep you laser focused...something that's very hard to do when teaching yourself.

They will teach a wide variety of things such as beginner guitar scales, tabs, notes, how to get the perfect pitch in guitar music, learn pitch by ear, etc. There are beginner and advanced courses so it's easy to find one that fits your needs.

What about teaching yourself?

If you have NO MONEY at all...then this is your only option. You can still get free lessons online...they just won't be very detailed. This is the longest way to success and will require a lot of trial and error.

But having a private instructor is the best-right?

Not necessarily. The best thing about this option is that they hold you accountable. Let's face it...you are always more likely to learn to play acoustic guitar songs when other people are checking in on you.

When you use an online program nobody is looking over your shoulder to make sure you are practicing everyday.

So what's the solution?

I would strongly recommend you recruit an acquaintance to follow up with your regularly and make sure you are practicing.

Another solution would be to post your videos every week on a high trafficked website such as a blog. Let them know in advance what you will be practicing for the upcoming week...and this way you will have a lot of people watching to see if you achieve your goals. Use embarrassment to your advantage.

What's the IDEAL way to practice music effectively?

I would strongly recommend learning with somebody else--this way you can keep each other motivated. You can race each other to see who can perform certain songs the fastest and push each other when one of you is feeling discouraged.

It's a much more fun way to practice then trying to do it as a lone ranger. This is how to learn to play acoustic guitar songs quickly.