3 Best Online Guitar Lessons For Senior Beginners

It’s far more accessible to learn the guitar today than ever before, and using the internet is a popular method. Whether you’re retired or have some extra time on your hands, online lessons can help you pursue the guitar.

The following resources are worthwhile for your consideration. Each has unique features that make them ideal for different people with different preferences and needs.

Be sure to give these a chance before you settle on a specific resource.

Guitar Tricks – Best Overall For Seniors

Guitar Tricks has become one of the most highly-publicized lesson resources in recent years. Is the actual content worth all the hype?

For the most part, Guitar Tricks certainly delivers on its promises, especially for beginners. Not only does it have an immense library of lessons, but more are continually added on a regular basis.

To give an overview, Guitar Tricks has a dedicated pathway designed to teach you the fundamentals of guitar. This is divided into 2 separate courses, covering lessons such as:

• Chords and how to use them
• Basic rhythm concepts
• Troubleshooting common problem areas
• Introduction to scales

It should be noted that each Fundamentals course has lessons provided by 2 different teachers. Should you dislike one’s style of teaching, the other instructor's methods might suffice.

Once you progress beyond the Fundamentals courses, Guitar Tricks continues its guided pathways in the genres of:

• Blues
• Country
• Rock
• Acoustic

Aside from that, Guitar Tricks offers lessons that cover specific techniques. You’ll also be able to take lessons that are inspired by the styles of famous guitarists.

Guitar Tricks also has one of the biggest libraries of song lessons available on the internet. Nearly 1100 songs are available to learn, all of which come from a variety of genres.

You can even take specialized lessons focusing on different types of music, which include:

• Blues
• Acoustic
• Rock
• Country
• Jazz
• Classical
• Surf
• Rockabilly
• Metal
• Bluegrass
• Funk/Soul
• Pop

Guitar Tricks is able to provide such vast information by featuring numerous instructors, each with their own expertise. As of this writing, there are 40 different instructors contributing lessons to the platform.

As you progress along, Guitar Tricks will keep track of your progress so you know how far you’ve come. A number of practice tools are included to aid in your studies, including:

• Scale finder
• Chord finder
• Metronome
• Tuner
• Fretboard training game
• Chord charts
• Jam track library

If you wanted, you could even schedule a private lesson with a Guitar Tricks instructor. 2 lessons per month are allowed, though the price is fairly steep.

What Makes Guitar Tricks Worthwhile For Senior Beginner Guitarists?

As you can see, Guitar Tricks is laden with features to allow you to learn just about anything you want. This might seem quite overwhelming, especially if technology isn’t your strongest suit.

However, you shouldn’t let that deter you, as the Guitar Tricks website is very straightforward to navigate. That is partly one of the reasons why Guitar Tricks is so ideal for seniors.

Once you’re in the dashboard, you can quickly get to what you’re looking for by clicking the clearly-labeled button. Or, simply click on “Progress” and pick up where you left off the last time.

The fact that Guitar Tricks has a guided system leaves little room for confusion about what to be learning. Follow the path and you won’t run out of things to work on.

Of course, you’re not purely limited to having to follow the pathway, which is another strong point of Guitar Tricks. You’re free to learn what you want, which is great for those whims of inspiration that deserve some follow-through.

What’s the point of learning techniques of different genres if you can’t put them to good use? Guitar Tricks makes this a snap, offering song lessons that employ the skills you’re learning.

In this way, Guitar Tricks has made learning the guitar fun, again. There’s a good chance that some of your favorite songs are in the lesson library. 

Plus, each lesson usually features multiple camera angles so you can see everything in better focus. Supplemental materials, including tabs, are often provided with each lesson. 

There is no risk in trying Guitar Tricks to see how you like the platform. The resource will often offer a free trial period, and even has free lessons available for those who are interested.

Having the option for private lessons (at an additional cost and a separate plan) is a nice touch. However, this feature is a bit pricy. But if money isn't an issue, check maybe give it a try. 

TrueFire

As far as resources go, TrueFire has to be one of the most comprehensive lesson databases on the internet. TrueFire is one of the veteran platforms still online today, and it offers features to show for its experience. 

To put it bluntly, TrueFire has an insane amount of lessons covering the genres of:

• Blues
• Blues Rock
• Jazz
• Jazz Blues
• Country
• Rock
• Funk
• Fingerstyle
• Metal/Hard-Rock
• Acoustic
• Singer-songwriter
• Flamenco and other world styles
• R&B/Soul
• Classical
• Americana

Where TrueFire differs from any other platform is in the instructors that teach each course. Quite often, these will be taught by working professionals, many of whom are famous in their own respect. 

These lessons are more or less focused on a specific topic, so it’s best if you have the fundamentals learned. Each lesson is packed to the gills with extra features such as:

• Downloadable tabs and charts
• Interactive tabs that play during the video
• Multiple camera angles
• Segment looping and speed manipulation

If you’re trying to learn specific techniques, TrueFire is probably your best bet. There are courses available to help you learn on a specialized level.

Perhaps TrueFire’s weakest link is in the songs offered, as there are nearly 60 songs available. Nevertheless, there’s a good chance you wouldn’t mind learning a few of these songs.

If following a guided path is more your thing, TrueFire has pathways rooted in the genres of:

• Country
• Jazz
• Blues
• Acoustic
• Rock

Another interesting feature that TrueFire offers is its various forms of jam tracks for improvisation practice. Some packages allow you to control the volume mix and are oriented to feel like you’re actually jamming in person.

TrueFire is also offered as a subscription plan, or you can choose to purchase courses individually. 

What Makes TrueFire Worthwhile For Senior Beginner Guitarists?

If you’re a bit technologically handicapped, TrueFire is probably not going to be the most appropriate resource. With that being said, TrueFire does offer perhaps the most feature-laden resource available.

As you probably know by now, there’s no better way of learning information than straight from the horse’s mouth. TrueFire has adopted that approach, allowing you to learn directly from the masters themselves. 

Emulation is always nice, but you’re making the most of your time by learning from those whose styles you admire. Consider this compared to other platforms that simply offer courses that study the playing styles of the greats. 

TrueFire isn’t exactly that difficult to navigate, as your profile will show your progress in different courses. What can be difficult is knowing what you should be working on.

The sheer number of lessons available can make it challenging to know which course is right for you. Fortunately, TrueFire’s pathway section aims to provide the foundation necessary to specialize in other areas.

Specialization is precisely what makes TrueFire such a spectacular resource. The masters provide a chance to deconstruct their licks and techniques to the building blocks so you can incorporate them.

Plus, if a subscription isn’t your thing, you can easily opt to purchase a course. You’ll have lifetime access to the course, which is downloadable for offline viewing if desired.

Just this small fact alone can be ideal. There’s no need to have to remember a recurring subscription.

Plus, you can work through a course at your own pace without having to pay for time not being used.

Again, this is probably the best resource for somebody that has the basics under wrap. 

JustinGuitar

For years, JustinGuitar has been one of the primary gauntlets for guitarists to learn their chops. The platform itself consists of the teachings of Justin Sandercoe, who got his start on YouTube.

JustinGuitar is often recommended to beginners because it’s absolutely free to use. On the website, JustinGuitar has a guided pathway, teaching beginner lessons as well as advanced lessons.

The Beginner series is divided up into 3 different overarching courses, with each lesson in chronological order. As such, you’ll never feel misguided as to whether you’re learning material in a less-than-ideal manner.

When you begin a course, you’ll find that the courses are broken into modules that cover a specific topic. Each module is packed with lessons, ensuring you get the most information possible without overwhelming you with a long video. 

You’ll also be able to take lessons that cover specialized ideas and techniques, including:

• Arpeggios
• Technique
• Gear-related topics
• Music theory
• Scales and modal concepts
• Songwriting
• Recording and production
• Music transcription

The platform as a whole has over 1,360 different lessons available, along with over 700 song lessons. JustinGuitar gives you the knowledge you need and teaches you how to use it musically. 

There are also a number of excellent practice aids available, including:

• Chord library
• Metronome
• Tempo calculator
• Interval ear trainer
• Blank notation paper for print-out

What Makes JustinGuitar Worthwhile For Senior Beginner Guitarists?

While JustinGuitar lacks the number of instructors that other resources offer, it makes up for it in other ways. The biggest factor is that the lessons are absolutely free to learn from.

Just this alone makes JustinGuitar one of the first places you should check out when looking for online guitar lessons. There’s nothing better than learning and getting better without spending a dime.

More often than not, you’ll find that what Justin Guitar offers is very similar to platforms that require money. And while there’s only one instructor, Justin is very comprehensive and easy to understand, teaching with a positive attitude. 

Though Justin does have his own strengths, he understands that everyone has different tastes. Because of this, he aims to offer material for every type of guitarist, no matter their preferred style or genre. 

The platform also has some excellent food for thought, along with some masterclasses by famous guitarists. You’ll be living, eating, sleeping, and dreaming about the guitar once you immerse yourself in this resource.

It doesn’t hurt to start your journey with JustinGuitar, especially if you’ve never taken lessons before. This will allow you to learn the basics (and beyond) on your own time without any financial sacrifice.

Another excellent thing here is that many of JustinGuitar’s videos are available to view on YouTube. This means you can watch lessons on a smart TV through the YouTube app without the need for a computer.

What To Look For When Looking For Online Lessons As A Senior Beginner

Never taken an online guitar lesson before and are not sure what is best for you? In these instances, it helps to take a pause and consider what your preferences and needs are.

The following points will help you figure out exactly what type of platform is the most appropriate for you. Keeping this in mind will help you save time in having to try out a bunch of different platforms. 

Personal Preferences And Needs

The biggest things to consider in this regard are whether you have any issues that need accommodating. Are you somebody with poor eyesight, or maybe a bit technologically deficient? 

These are things you’ll need to keep in mind. Most resources are fairly straightforward to navigate, but some do not have the best layouts. 

Usually, the better platforms will be categorized as much as possible. You shouldn’t have to navigate through 3 different pages just to be able to continue where previously you left off.

If you have eyesight issues, look for a resource that offers high-definition shots from multiple camera angles. This will give you the clearest view, quite often focusing on both the picking and fretting hands.

The Content And Its Presentation

One of the biggest things to consider is what the platform actually has to offer that catches your interest. If you’re into country, but the platform doesn’t offer country guitar techniques, it’s an obvious misfit. 

Likewise, if you’re wanting to learn your favorite songs, it’s worth making sure the platform provides them. However, with the many videos on YouTube, this might not necessarily be that big of a deal. 

What separates these lesson videos from standard YouTube videos is the supplementary content. The best resources will make everything you could ever want (including tabs) available to you. 

Many platforms offer tools within the video player that can greatly aid you in your practices. Looping segments of video and changing the playback speed are necessities for accurate learning.

Aside from the presentation, you’ll need to consider whether the platform’s vision meshes with your learning style. A guided pathway can often be the best for beginners as it provides a no-nonsense approach to learning information.

But, not everybody likes to be boxed into a set pathway. So, make sure you have plenty of lessons to take outside of a dedicated lesson pathway. 

Price

Online guitar lessons are usually relatively affordable for the most part. These will tend to be based on a subscription plan, with unlimited access to content while the subscription is active.

The prices vary, but are very similar to the price of 1 in-person lesson from a local instructor. Learning from the expertise of many at such a low cost is what makes these platforms so excellent.

With that being said, a subscription plan isn’t always the most ideal. It takes time to practice and integrate new material, which means you won’t be watching lessons every day. 

So, in a way, you’re also paying for days that you’re not using the platform at all. It becomes very easy to not use the resource for weeks, which essentially becomes a sunk cost.

When in doubt, it’s always the most logical approach to learn what you can for free. This will give you an idea of whether the guitar is right for you without having to spend any money.

Also, keep in mind that many platforms will give you free trial access for a set duration of time. Always take advantage of this as you can get a full taste of whether a platform is to your liking.

Similarly, it might make more sense to actually purchase lifetime access to a course if possible. That way, you’re making 1 payment and can work through the content at your leisurely pace. 

Other Considerations

Taking online guitar lessons is an absolute blessing. This is especially true if you frequently travel or if there aren’t any instructors living near you.

However, you should be forewarned that it takes a great amount of discipline to keep up with your studies. You will want to ensure that you have a regimented practice routine to integrate what you’ve learned.

It’s all too easy to binge-watch lesson videos like a TV series on Netflix.

Don’t be tempted to move at a supersonic pace just because there is so much information available. Take your time and integrate the lesson materials before you move on. 

In a way, taking online video lessons is still in the realm of self-teaching, using videos instead of books. You’re free to learn what you wish, so don’t feel like you’re limited to using 1 platform.

Taking actual in-person lessons can instill a sense of responsibility for your practices. Do keep this route in consideration on your journey.

Top Online Guitar Lessons For Seniors, Final Thoughts

Don’t be afraid to try different resources out for yourself to find the best fit for your preferences and needs. Keep an open mind, as a bad experience with one, doesn’t mean you’ll have a bad experience with all. 

The right online guitar lesson resource will have you excited to learn and practice the guitar every chance you get. These aforementioned resources will definitely get you started in the right direction.