Guitar for Adult Beginners
This program is for adults who’d like to learn the guitar. The core of this program is based on classical technique and learning to sight-read standard notation, in preparation for more advanced topics. The content of this program is versatile. It develops a base for any style of playing. Our goal is to give you the building blocks for performing any music you wish, including composing, improvising, songwriting and creativity. Once your technique is “properly set” you’ll gain confidence and control of the instrument. Exposure to music theory will open opportunities to be creative later on. This program will set you up with an excellent work ethic and practice habits that will serve you for the rest of your guitar journey.
Program Overview
This program is offered fully online in five consecutive courses. Each course runs for a 12-week semester. This is a private-tuition and method-based program. You’ll follow a set syllabus and will submit weekly assignments with feedback from a live tutor. You’ll be a part of a small online class, which meets weekly on live video to receive the tuition and participate in discussions. The instruction can be group or individual, each student decides if they wish to receive group instruction or one-on-one lessons. Our student advisor will help you decide which enrolment option is best for you. To meet with a student advisor, book a trial lesson.
This program is designed for students of various musical backgrounds. Have you taken other instrument lessons in the past, and now would like to pick up the guitar? Or maybe you’re completely new to music study? As a complete beginner to music lessons, please start with our short course Introduction to Basic Musicianship.
Guitar for Adult Beginners covers the fundamentals of guitar playing, technique, and music theory. It begins with guidance on how to choose the right guitar type and size to get started with good form and technique. It teaches you how to hold and sit with the guitar and how to use the left and right hand for fretting and picking, establishing good playing habits from the start.
The program gradually exposes you to various guitar styles, with focus on classical and modern techniques to help you develop accuracy and a clear tone. The goal is that while you learn the basics, you’ll start to form preferences guiding you towards the style that you most enjoy. This program can be used as a jump-start for any style of music. It builds the proper foundation for those who wish to study classical guitar, as well as for those who will venture into modern acoustic or electric guitar styles.
The core of this program is designed to give you fluency with reading standard music notation, and building agility and strength in your fretting hand (so that you can play chord changes smoothly). Melody and rhythm playing will strengthen your fingers and prepare your hands for more advanced study. You’ll learn to interpret sheet music, chord charts and lead sheets, so that in your free time you can explore music beyond this program.
You’ll learn basic chord shapes, how chords are constructed, and why certain chords go well together, giving you a chance to write your own professional sounding chords and chord progressions, as well as improvise and compose melodies that go with your chords. You’ll explore different strumming patterns, solo playing, and delve into basic music theory and ear-training so that in addition to technical development you’ll gradually build an understanding of the inner workings of music.
Going through this program will give you excellent technique, and the fundamental building blocks so that eventually you’ll be able to express the ideas you hear in your head, and make your own music! (Even those who don’t feel particularly creative, will learn the tools and strategies and will be able to explore composing on the guitar.)
This course has no prerequisites. If you’re completely new to music (never had any music lessons, not even in school), please start with the short course Introduction to Basic Musicianship.
- A nylon string classical guitar. If you don’t have a guitar yet, please speak to our student advisor before buying one. If you already have another type of guitar (not classical), you can use any guitar to get started. We recommend a nylon string guitar, regardless of which style you’d like to play later on. Starting with a classical foundation has many benefits.
- Guitar pick (medium/medium-soft thickness), guitar tuner, and metronome (both available as free apps for smartphone)
- Meeting live on a video call with your instructor (regular 30-60min weekly lessons at a time that you and your instructor agree on)
- Ability to record and submit video recordings of your weekly assignments
- Having the time to devote to guitar study. 30-60min once a week for a live class, and about 30-40min a day for daily practice. (A total of about 5-6 hours per week)
FAQ
Program Courses
Easy, Convenient, Professional And Fun!
Gentle Guitar™ offers guitar lessons for kids, teens, and adults in the comfort of your home.
Students learn to play guitar online, at home, with a live teacher!
We connect weekly via live video conference call..
Standard Music Notation
The Gentle Guitar™ method is focused on teaching essential musical foundations.
Most other guitar teachers and guitar schools teach guitar playing by ear or TAB and don’t focus on music literacy.
We believe that every musician should learn to read and write music, and we make it fun and easy!
Rhythm, Chords & Strumming
Learning rhythm, chords and strumming is essential for every modern guitarist.
In our Foundations for Beginners curriculum we teach a solid foundation of traditional and popular acoustic guitar techniques.
Wide Range of Playing Techniques
We teach classical and a popular guitar music so that teens can explore various playing styles and genres.
The music and lyrics we expose students to is carefully selected to be age-appropriate and have a positive mental and emotional effect.
Songwriting Lessons on the Acoustic Guitar
Songwriting and arranging on the guitar teaches students to think “outside the box”. It puts them in charge of their creativity and gives them the tools to create meaningful and professional musical works.
Gentle Guitar™ Foundations Curriculum includes the songwriting component. Students who show an interest in songwriting can go on to study advanced songwriting and arranging for finger-style and acoustic guitar.
Composing & Recording
We believe that creativity is at the heart of learning a musical instrument. Creativity is particularly important for teens as it provides a productive outlet for self-expression and self-validation.
We encourage creativity by teaching students how to make their own recordings in a home-studio environment.
Complementary to the guitar curriculum students learn recording and sound-production techniques.
Live Performance
Part of the Gentle Guitar™ curriculum is to teach students how to create performance opportunities and how to prepare for live stage performances.
Whether that’s performing at a local retirement home, at Church, at an open mic, or starting a band, we are here to guide and teach the real-life skills necessary to manage live performances.
BENEFITS OF MUSIC LESSONS FOR TEENS
Correct Music Study Is Much More Than An Extracurricular Activity
Many parents view music as a hobby or an extracurricular activity.
Correct music study is much more than that.
It will help the student develop a well-rounded personality and a balanced approach to life, studies, relationships and career.
Skills & Positive Habits for Life
With the right teacher and an effective teaching system, music is a discipline that develops positive skills and habits for a life.
A good work ethic, a positive attitude towards responsibility, and a “can do” mindset are but a few traits that our students acquire.
Patience, perseverance, focus and learning to learn from failure are some of the other life-skills we help students develop.
Easier Passage Through The Teenage Years
Most importantly, music helps shape a sense of well-being, balance, and boosts self-esteem.
A good music teacher in the life of a teenager can be a role model and a mentor.
Someone who helps them carve out a strong sense of identity and purpose.
Those teens who have a good music mentor are less prone to peer-pressure, depression and addictive behaviours.
Balanced Personality
Music is ideal for introverts, because it gives them a creative outlet and something meaningful to identify with.
Music is ideal for extroverts, because it gives them social opportunities and a talent they can be proud of.
Music also helps both introverts and extroverts balance out their weaker sides.
Introverts learn to master stage-fright, public performances, and get to explore leadership in social settings with other musicians.
Extroverts learn to withdraw within and explore and communicate their innermost emotions through creative expression.
Our private guitar lessons work amazingly well for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners, and are taught via Skype all over the world!
Gentle Guitar™ Is More Than A Music School
We Are Role-Models And Mentors
Gentle Guitar™ teachers are professional musicians and trained guitar educators.
We work with a unique age-appropriate teaching method and coach each child at their individual level.
With a gentle approach and plenty of patience, we inspire children to get excited about learning!
We go out of our way to be excellent role models for kids and teens of all ages.
We are a small international team, bringing quality music tuition to students all over the world!
The Gentle Guitar™ teachers are specialists in kids and beginner guitar tuition.
Over 1000+ lessons, 9 countries, 7 years of results!
Book a no-obligation free trial lesson to connect with a specialist teacher and get all your questions answered!
