Short answer: Learning guitar with YouTube works well if you follow one fixed learning path, play difficult parts along at half speed, repeat each topic until it sticks, and record yourself now and then. That keeps you from getting stuck on random tricks. If you miss feedback on your posture, combine the videos with an app or a teacher.
YouTube is one of several ways to get lessons. In the guide to guitar lessons, YouTube sits next to a teacher, an app and an online course. Here you can read how to get the most out of free videos, which pitfalls to watch for and when you are better off choosing something else.
Can You Learn Guitar with YouTube?
Yes, you can learn the basics very well with YouTube. You see the teacher play, you can rewatch every movement, and most lessons are free. You decide when you practice and how fast you go.
Video is especially strong for techniques that are hard to explain in words, such as hammer-ons and pull-offs, slides and bends. You see and hear exactly how it should sound. For different styles too, from blues to fingerstyle, you will find lessons from guitarists all over the world.
The big downside is that nobody is watching you. A teacher notices right away that your wrist is bent or that you squeeze too hard. With YouTube you often only notice such mistakes once they have become habits. On top of that, the choice is so big that it is easy to jump from video to video without really getting anywhere. The approach below largely makes up for those downsides.
Choose One Fixed Learning Path
The most important step is to pick one series of lessons that starts at lesson 1 and work through it in order. That way every lesson builds on the previous one and you do not skip any basics.
A well-known example is the free beginner course by JustinGuitar (Justin Sandercoe). It takes you through chords, rhythm and your first songs in a fixed order. Prefer lessons in your own language? Search for something like “beginner guitar lesson 1” in that language and choose a channel with a numbered series instead of loose clips.
Also decide what you want to be able to play a month from now, for example five open chords and one strumming pattern. Plan fixed moments for new material and for review. You can read how to put that in a schedule in making an effective practice schedule. Use loose videos from other channels as a bonus, for example for a song you really want to play.
How to Choose the Right Videos
You can recognize a good guitar lesson on YouTube by clear shots of both hands, explanations in small steps and an exercise you can do right away. Pay attention to these points when choosing:
- Both hands in view: you want to see the fretting hand and the picking hand clearly, preferably also up close.
- Fits your level: the title or description says who the lesson is for. Start at lesson 1, even if it looks easy.
- Explains why: a good teacher tells you what to look out for, not just what they play.
- Slow first: the teacher plays the part calmly before it goes up to tempo.
- Viewer comments: read whether other beginners got something out of it.
Not every video is a lesson. Each type of video has its own role:
| Type of video | What it is for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner lesson series | The basics in a logical order | Stick to one series |
| Song lesson (song tutorial) | Learning a song you like | Choose a song with chords you already know |
| Technique video | One skill, such as a strumming pattern or barre chord | Only once the basics are solid |
| Play-along or backing track | Playing along at tempo | Start with a slow version |
| Gear and review videos | Inspiration and explanations about equipment | Not a lesson: you will not play better from them |
For songs, Marty Music by Marty Schwartz is a well-known channel: he explains many popular songs step by step. You practice playing along with accompaniment with backing tracks. You can find chords and tabs for songs on Ultimate Guitar, among other places. How to read such a tab is covered in reading guitar tabs, step by step.
How to Practice with a YouTube Video
Watching is not practicing yet: you only learn when you play what you see right away. This method helps:
- Watch the part once all the way through, with the guitar already on your lap.
- Pause after each bit and play it yourself a few times.
- Set difficult passages to 0.75 or 0.5 times the speed. You do that with the gear icon (Settings) in the player, under Playback speed.
- Play along at half speed until you get it right three times in a row. Only then increase the tempo.
- Watch out for the mirror image: the teacher sits facing you, so the hand that plays the chords appears on the right side of the screen.
- Record yourself and compare your playing and your posture with the video.
- Repeat the part the next day before you start a new video.
One or two new lessons a week is enough for most beginners, as long as you spend the rest of the time practicing what you have seen. Write chords and tips down in a notebook, so you do not have to keep searching for the video. A metronome helps you raise the tempo step by step.
You can simply record with your phone. How to do that well is covered in recording your guitar playing at home.
Pitfalls When Learning from YouTube
Most people who get stuck with YouTube make one of these mistakes:
- Collecting random tricks: learning a different riff every day feels like progress. But without a foundation of chords, rhythm and changing chords, you will not get further than a few intros.
- Learning bad posture: nobody corrects your wrist, thumb or shoulders. Compare your posture with the teacher’s and read how to hold a guitar properly.
- Skipping the basics: trying a difficult song right away leads to frustration. First learn the open chords and a simple strumming pattern.
- Only watching: watching three videos and playing once gets you very little. Turn that ratio around.
- Too many channels at once: every teacher has a different order and sometimes different fingerings. That gets confusing.
- Skipping theory: tutorials are mostly practical. A little music theory for guitarists helps you understand what you are playing.
When Does a Teacher or App Work Better?
A teacher or app works better as soon as you need feedback that YouTube does not give: when you get stuck, keep making the same mistake or do not know what you are doing wrong.
| Aspect | YouTube | Guitar app | Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Usually a subscription, often with a free trial period | Per lesson; rates differ per teacher and region |
| Feedback on your playing | None | On your notes and timing | On everything, including posture and technique |
| Structure | You choose it yourself | Fixed learning path | Tailored to you |
| Best for | Self-starters with discipline | People who like practicing with immediate checking | People who get stuck or want a solid foundation fast |
Yousician listens along through the microphone and shows whether you play the right notes on time. Fender Play offers video lessons in a fixed order. You will find a comparison in the best apps for learning guitar.
A teacher is the best choice if you notice you are not getting any further. Even a few one-off lessons alongside YouTube help: the teacher checks your posture and you keep practicing at home with videos. When self-study is enough, you can read in learning guitar without a teacher. You can also ask questions in online communities for guitarists.
Further Reading
- Learning Guitar: 15 Tips for Beginners: what to do in the first week, the first month and after that.
- The Benefits of Learning Guitar Online: what learning online gives you compared to in-person lessons.
- Online Courses for Acoustic Guitar: if you want more structure than loose videos.
- Learning Guitar Without Expensive Lessons: all the free routes at a glance.
Frequently asked questions about learning guitar with YouTube
Can you learn guitar with only YouTube?
Yes, many guitarists learn the basics from videos. The tricky part is that nobody checks your posture and technique. Film yourself regularly and have a teacher or experienced guitarist look at your playing now and then, so you spot mistakes in time.
Are guitar lessons on YouTube free?
Yes, you can watch most lessons for free. Some channels earn money from ads or also offer paid courses or extra lesson material.
Which YouTube channel is good for beginners?
JustinGuitar is a well-known choice, because the beginner course builds up in a fixed order. For songs, Marty Music is popular. Try a few lessons and choose the teacher whose explanations you like best.
Are there guitar lessons on YouTube in other languages?
Yes. Search with terms in your own language, like “beginner guitar lesson” or “learn guitar lesson 1”, and choose a channel with a numbered series of lessons. That way you still follow a fixed learning path. What each lesson in such a path covers is shown in the overview of guitar lessons for beginners.
How do you slow down a YouTube video?
Click the gear icon (Settings) in the player and choose Playback speed, for example 0.75 or 0.5. In the YouTube app you will find the same option in the video’s settings menu.
Is a guitar app better than YouTube?
An app gives feedback on your notes and timing and has a fixed learning path. YouTube is free and offers far more choice. Many beginners combine them: an app or lesson series as the foundation and YouTube for songs and extra explanations.
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