Should You Pay for Lessons or Teach Yourself?
With the rise of free online resources, especially YouTube, many aspiring musicians ask: Why pay for online music lessons when I can learn for free? While platforms like YouTube offer a wealth of information, they don’t always provide the structured approach needed for real progress. Let’s dive in and get to the bottom of whether free, online music lessons are the best way to learn an instrument.
The Challenges of Self-Learning
🚨 Watch Out for Bad Habits
Many students come to us after months or years of teaching themselves through free online music lessons. Unfortunately, we often have to correct bad habits that have developed along the way. Poor posture, incorrect finger placement, and inefficient playing techniques can slow progress and even lead to injuries like repetitive strain.
⏳ Research Takes Time
One of the biggest drawbacks of self-learning is the time spent researching rather than actually practicing. Without a teacher, you have to figure out what to learn next, how to structure your lessons, and whether you’re applying techniques correctly.
❌ Lack of Personalised Feedback
Watching a video tutorial doesn’t provide the instant feedback needed to correct mistakes. You may think you’re playing correctly, but without an expert eye, you might be reinforcing poor technique.
The Value of Learning with a Music Teacher
🎯 A Structured Learning Path
A teacher provides a clear and structured curriculum, ensuring you master fundamental skills before advancing. For example, our guitar lessons in Guildford take students from absolute beginners to confident players with step-by-step guidance.
🔥 Motivation & Accountability
One of the biggest benefits of music lessons with a teacher is having someone to keep you accountable. A teacher provides encouragement, sets achievable goals, and celebrates your progress. This is especially useful if you’re learning an instrument like piano—our piano teachers in Guildford ensure students stay engaged and progress effectively.
🛠️ Immediate Feedback & Corrections
Unlike self-learning, a music teacher can correct mistakes in real-time, helping you avoid developing bad habits that might take years to fix. Immediate feedback allows you to improve faster and more efficiently.
The Role of Online Resources
So, is YouTube bad for learning music!? Not at all! Platforms like YouTube and apps such as Yousician or Simply Piano can be valuable supplemental tools. However, they should be used alongside structured lessons, not as a replacement for them. Even excellent teachers on Youtube are not able to give you as a student any feedback in the moment, which is a huge part of effective progression on your instrument.
Pros and Cons of Self-Learning vs Learning with a Teacher
Self-Learning Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔️ Inexpensive
✔️ Learn at your own pace
✔️ Wide variety of free content available
✔️ Replay lessons as many times as needed
❌ Cons:
❌ No clear learning pathway—time-consuming research required
❌ No feedback—risk of developing bad habits
❌ No guarantee of lesson quality—anyone can post an online music lesson
❌ Lack of motivation—no one pushing you to improve
Learning with a Teacher Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
✔️ Structured, personalised lessons
✔️ Immediate feedback to correct mistakes
✔️ Motivation and accountability
✔️ Faster progress with expert guidance
✔️ Lessons tailored to your musical goals
❌ Cons:
❌ Finding the right teacher can take time (but we’ve got you covered with our expert tutors!)
❌ Cost—lessons require an investment
Conclusion: What’s the Best Option?
If you’re serious about learning an instrument, a mix of structured lessons and online resources is the best approach. While self-learning offers flexibility, professional guidance helps ensure progress, correct technique, and long-term success.
We offer expert music lessons for beginners and advanced players alike. Whether you want to master an instrument or simply improve your skills, our experienced instructors are here to help at our dedicated music schools in Godalming, Haslemere & Guildford.
Ready to Start Your Musical Journey?
Book a lesson today and experience the difference professional guidance can make! Click here to get started.
