For those looking to learn to play the guitar, finding a guitar tutor can be the first logical step towards accomplishing that goal. Problematically, there are a large number of tutors and so-called experts out there willing to show you how best to go about it. Looking for a guitar tutor is often underestimated, and is perhaps the most important decision you will have to make since deciding to learn. The tutor you select will shape your entire outlook on how to play guitar as your primary contact with the discipline, therefore it is important to ensure you choose wisely to improve your enjoyment and dedication to playing the guitar.

Finding a good guitar teacher isn't an easy task. For the most part, selecting a tutor is a blind process relying on gut instinct and marketing. A great way to circumvent this is to ask a friend or a family member for a recommendation. If you know someone that has had guitar lessons, ask them who taught them and get a contact number. That way, you can help bypass the element of chance and find a tutor that is skilled and good to work with. Alternatively, if you know someone that does play guitar, asking them for assistance in learning might be a good idea. Another good indicator of tutor quality is the number of qualifications recognised in you local area. If your tutor has a degree in music, or is an experienced performer, you can pretty much guarantee they will be skilled enough to offer good advice, and this will help you on your way to learning guitar successfully.

That way, you can work with a friend, which might also be a low cost alternative, as well as a guarantee of a good learning environment. Obviously it may be wise to check out your friend's credentials beforehand, but if you know they can play well, there is a fair chance they'll make a good teacher, and the fact that you are already acquainted with them will bypass the initial awkwardness associated with working with a complete stranger.

So what is the best way to learn jazz guitar, and where do you find the best courses?

Online is best, and you have a choice between one-off courses supplied on DVD or a membership site where you pay monthly for ongoing lessons. What are the benefits of each? Without a doubt, the DVD is the cheaper option because you only have one payment to make. In the same way, a single football ticket is cheaper than a season ticket, but which is best value? A DVD gives you one course of lessons and that is it, whereas a good membership provides you with a series of lessons, not only in your chosen genre, but any style of play you want to try.

A good membership site will offer you a choice of guitar teachers, and will update their course from time to time. They can also offer pages of chord diagrams, scales, songs to play to and backing tracks to play along with. You don't usually get this with a DVD.

At last, remember that finding a good guitar tutor and good lesson is fundamental to learning to play the guitar, and to say the tutor affects your ability to learn is an understatement. It is essential that you make a wise selection in picking your tutor and guitar lessons. There are various ways in which you can filter the masses to find the most suited guitar tutor to your needs, whether at beginner, intermediate or advanced level.

Basically, the need for guitar theory knowledge depends primarily on your level of interest in the instrument.