Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I subscribe if I want a one time fee course?

It makes sense to pay for something once and then have it. When I started teaching guitar in 2004, I thought I was a master and was only filling in details. What I learned from teaching is that I only understand guitar from my point of view. When my students came up with better solutions to problems than me, I showed other students the new solutions. This constant feedback let me update my teaching methods as more I taught more students. If I charge a one time fee for a video that can't be updated, then you would be left with an outdated model.

Can I play acoustic instead of electric? 

Not only can you do that, you can also use a classical! The different types of guitars are like different types of cars. Each car is used for a particular situation, just as guitars are used for particular situations. If I need to go fast, I drive a sports car. If I need to play fast, I use my customized Ibanez. If I need to move a couch, I get a truck. If I need to play at a park with no electricity, I grab my acoustic. The different cars may have different dimensions to get used to but still work similarly enough that you can go between them without too much trouble. Guitars work pretty much the same but playing a death metal solo on a classical guitar might seem kind of strange just as moving a couch with an Italian sports car might be strange. 

What if I am already advanced or a teacher? Do I have to go through the other courses?

Of course not. Take the course that has the information you need and then unsubscribe. I am going to suggest that you look through the other courses so that you can have a different perspective on those subjects or read our messaging board to see how other people are view and solving these problems. 

Why aren't all the courses up yet?

Haha, funny story. You're gonna laugh. When I started this project, I didn't realize how much information is in my head. On top of that, editing takes more time than I thought it would. I promise you, I'm working as fast as I can to get all the information in my head on your screen.

Can I criticize your teaching methods and style?

Sure! But please make it constructive. Saying you don't like something, it isn't enough to just say it. Offer a solution that I can work with. 

My teacher says your wrong. 

Then do what your teacher is telling you to do. A lot of my teachers contradicted each other but I learned to change my answers depending on who was in front of me. Whatever is working for you, do it. Unless it gets you in trouble. Then do what your teacher tells you to do. 

I'm not making progress. 

To give you an idea of how much progress you are making as compared to most methods. More than half the teachers I know teach standard notation for the first few months of lessons. They don't get to their first chord and even then, it's a small one. It is common for students to take lessons for a year until they reach a song that was written after the 2000's. The first thing I always ask is if you are practicing your 15 minutes a day consistently. 

But I am practicing!

Normally when I ask parents of students if they are practicing, the parents give me a different story than the student. The student is counting all the time it took to take out the guitar, tune it, and get the papers in order. Then they get a glass of water, stretch, check their stock portfolios, and 15 minutes is up. Out of 15 minutes, maybe 5 had some guitar playing. 
So, let's assume you aren't stalling. The next problem I see is the student trying to take on too much. Instead of practice 6 chords, practice 4. If that doesn't work, go down to 2 chords. Instead of practicing the whole lick, try the first 4 notes and making it sound right. Shrink the amount you are trying to do
The last and most often is a misunderstanding somewhere. There was a miscommunication on how a musical theory worked or how often a part is played. Another misunderstanding is how accurate the part is to be played. Perfection isn't attainable. Do good enough until it sounds good enough. 

Do I have to practice your way?

My preferred way of practice seems to work with most situations. A minimum 15 minutes a day and you can do other things, like watch YouTube, while you practice.  If it works, it works. If it doesn't work, why doesn't it work? Fix it. Now it works. 

One thing to keep in mind with however you practice, is it working or is it making you comfortable? The only way to know is to see the results and how fast those results come. In terms of physical technique on the guitar, nothing should take longer to a month to be able to understand and execute in a way that is considered acceptable to the average ear. Mental, aural, or theoretical concepts can take years to get down. Make sure you are are making progress and not making excuses. 

What if I hate the way you teach?

Then unsubscribe. Worse things have happened. I mean, Japan got nuked. That’s pretty bad!