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Gibson’s Learn And Master Guitar Review – Still Worthy in 2024?

Gibson's Learn And Master Guitar Course

Do you dream of confidently strumming your favorite songs or crafting your own melodies? Welcome to the wonderful world of guitar! Whether you’re a complete novice or a player seeking to refine your skills, Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar lessons can be your guide.

This review dives deep into the program, exploring its strengths, potential drawbacks, and how it can fit your specific musical aspirations. We’ll unveil what the course offers, from the fundamentals of fretting and picking to the intricacies of music theory and soloing.

Basic info

Who is this course for?

Here’s a breakdown of how the course might be beneficial depending on your experience:

  • Beginners: Learn chords, strumming patterns, music theory basics, and how to play simple songs.
  • Intermediate Players: Refine your skills, explore fingerpicking, barre chords, music theory in more depth, and soloing techniques.
  • Advanced Players: Work on advanced picking techniques, music theory concepts like harmony and composition,and different musical styles.

Content and structure

What can you learn with Gibson's Learn & Master Guitar?

  • Foundational Skills: The program starts with the absolute basics, including the parts of the guitar, string names, proper posture, tuning, and forming your first chords.
  • Playing Techniques: You’ll progress to strumming patterns, fingerpicking techniques, barre chords (for playing multiple notes at once), and eventually soloing techniques.
  • Music Theory: The course incorporates music theory concepts like scales, chords, and basic music notation to help you understand what you’re playing and unlock more creative possibilities.
  • Playing Songs: Learning isn’t just about exercises. You’ll also apply your skills by playing familiar songs across various genres.
  • Different Styles: As you advance, the program delves into different musical styles, allowing you to explore the sounds of blues, rock, country,

Structure of the course

  • Video Lessons: The core of the program is spread across 20 professionally filmed DVDs, offering over 40 hours of instruction.
  • Lesson Book: A 100+ page companion lesson book provides written explanations, diagrams, tablature (a guitar-specific notation system), and additional exercises to complement the video lessons.
  • Jam-Along CDs: 5 Jam-Along CDs let you practice playing along with backing tracks in different styles, keeping things fun and helping you develop your timing and improvisation skills.

Teaching method

  • Step-by-Step Progression: The course follows a structured approach, building on each lesson before introducing new concepts.
  • Visual Learning: The video lessons are key, allowing you to see Steve Krenz, the instructor, demonstrate techniques visually.
  • Practice & Repetition: The program emphasizes the importance of regular practice and provides exercises to help solidify your skills.
  • Interactive Learning: Jam-Along CDs and the lesson book allow you to actively participate and practice what you’re learning.
  • Online Support: An online student support site offers additional resources and potentially a community forum for connecting with other students.

This combination of content, structure, and teaching method aims to provide a well-rounded learning experience for aspiring guitarists of all levels.

Pros and cons

PROS

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: The course covers a wide range of topics, from the absolute basics to advanced techniques, making it suitable for beginners and experienced players alike.
  • Structured Learning: The step-by-step progression ensures a solid foundation and builds your skills gradually.
  • Variety of Learning Materials: With video lessons, a workbook, and jam-along CDs, the program caters to different learning styles.
  • Convenience and Affordability: Compared to private lessons, the DVD format allows you to learn at your own pace and schedule, offering good value for money.
  • Reputable Brand: The Gibson name carries weight in the guitar world, suggesting a certain level of quality in the course content.

CONS

  • Limited Interaction: Unlike a live teacher, the DVD format lacks personalized feedback and the ability to address specific issues you might encounter.
  • Outdated Material: Since the lessons are on DVD, there’s a chance the content might not reflect the latest teaching methods or musical trends.
  • Technology Dependence: Learning from DVDs requires a DVD player or a computer with a DVD drive, which some people might not have readily available.
  • Focus on Theory: While music theory is valuable, some users might prefer a more song-oriented approach to learning guitar.
  • Cost Upfront: Although cheaper than ongoing private lessons, the upfront cost of purchasing the entire program might be a barrier for some.

The verdict

7/10

Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar lessons offer a comprehensive and well-structured approach to learning guitar. With video lessons, a workbook, and jam-along CDs, the program caters to a variety of learning styles and skill levels. The step-by-step progression ensures a strong foundation in the fundamentals, while gradually introducing more complex techniques.

However, it’s important to consider the limitations. The DVD format lacks the personalized feedback of a live teacher, and the content might not be the most up-to-date. Additionally, the upfront cost and reliance on DVD technology might not be ideal for everyone.

Overall, Gibson’s Learn & Master Guitar lessons are a strong choice for beginners and those seeking a self-paced learning experience. If you’re disciplined and can navigate the limitations, this program can equip you with the skills and knowledge to take your guitar playing to the next level. However, if you crave real-time feedback or the latest instructional methods, exploring online courses or private lessons might be a better fit.

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