Hear what my guitar students are saying…
“It feels like a one-on-one lesson”
I tried learning guitar on-and-off for about 15 years. I had lots of different teachers during that time, but nothing would stick. We would start playing one song, get stuck, and then start another song. It was so frustrating to never be able to play an entire song even after spending so much time and money on lessons… I just wanted to play a simple song all the way to the end. I searched “online guitar course” and found James’s course.
By the time I got to Chapter 3, I was already playing songs that I tried learning for 15 years. I’m still in disbelief that an online course was able to show me something that not a single one of my teachers could in real life. I guess it’s because he gives you access to the whole picture, and takes you through the process one bit at a time. It feels like a one-on-one lesson and it really worked for me. Thank you James.
— Lori L.
“His positivity was the key to my success”
When I was working at the gravel pit, I kept on injuring my fingers on my chord hand. Since I was always busy and couldn’t stop, I would just put some electrical tape on them, put a work glove over it, and go back to work. After repeatedly damaging the same fingers, they became stiff and didn’t bend properly. I was worried I would never be able to play chords normally.
Some teachers used to tell me that stiff fingers would get in the way of my playing, but looking back, a lot of my sticking to it came down to James’ positivity, not pushing me, or worrying that I’m not getting it. He was the teacher for me because his positivity was the key to my success, and I’ve been playing ever since.
— Ev McKay
“I just wanted to learn how to play really good.”
I’m 74 years old, used to strum the guitar and sing with my kids when I was younger in my 20s and 30s. Put it down as life went on. So this time when I got serious a couple years ago about really learning how to play the guitar, I didn’t care about getting deep into music and all of that, I just wanted to learn how to play really good. I even took some courses from a live instructor at one point because I was really serious about it, but found that really just practicing diligently and watching YouTube instructors that I really connected with, helped me a lot.
You are a dynamic teacher. I am really impressed, and your background education in music really shows through in here. I was thoroughly dreading the music theory 101 course, and to my delight and surprise find it almost my favorite course. The first two modules were perfect in showing how to build a scale, connect chords, change keys, music formula, major minor keys, etc. Showing how barre chords come into play and why we need to learn them. Thank you so much for how diligently you have constructed these courses.
— Mary Carr
“My guitar playing has improved immensely in such a short time”
I must have gone through dozens of videos but none of them had all the ingredients I was looking for. They either were more about their own egos, or their tuition was so complexed I completely got lost until I came across GoodGuitarist. Apart from the clear simplistic and enjoyable teaching there was so much more than just a video with a guy teaching you to play the guitar. The easy step by step approach, articulate and encouraging manner...
James covers every little detail with warmth and enjoyable lessons which includes playing songs almost right from the start. I was so impressed I bought the strumming course which has meticulously been put together and, in a word, is brilliant! Sufficed to say, with the help from James' course my guitar playing has improved immensely in such a short time. I've only just begun my journey playing the guitar and I am full of enthusiasm to learn more. Thank you, James!
— Rob Malone
"[I was] always stuck on being a campfire guitarist, playing the same songs over and over"
I had kind of lost interest in playing the guitar, always stuck on being a campfire guitarist, playing the same songs over and over…..until I lost the top of my middle finger on my chord hand 3 years ago in a lawnmower accident. It was when I realized that I might not be able to play again that I realized how much I loved playing. I found a company in Las Vegas who made finger extensions and protectors for injuries such as mine and I haven’t looked back since. Thanks to your channel I now play every day always trying to learn something new so thank you again, I really appreciate it.
— Stephen McCloskey
“I look forward to my evening practice sessions now”
I’m 50 years old and have wanted to play guitar since I was about 12. For many years a guitar simply sat in my closet. Figuring out how to start seemed confusing and intimidating. Then I found this course. James is amazing. He is incredibly patient and thorough while simultaneously keeping it interesting and fun. I look forward to my evening practice sessions now, thanks very much to James! If you’ve ever wanted to play guitar but didn’t know where to turn, James and this course are for you!
— George Linge
“Worth every cent”
Last year, if you told me I’d be playing Hallelujah and House of The Rising Sun I wouldn’t believe you. After taking private lessons for 6 months, and getting nowhere, my confidence was pretty shaken. As a last ditch effort I decided to try an online course. That was about 2 months ago and I’ve gotten farther ahead than 6 months of lessons did for me. And here’s the kicker, it cost me less than a month worth of lessons that I was paying for before. Worth every cent. I can’t thank James enough and am eternally grateful for his awesome course.
— Alan Nesbitt
My name is Chris Robinson, I have Mental (PTSD) and Physical Health issues from my time in the Canadian Armed Forces. I have found learning and playing guitar has given me a purpose to get out of bed again. It is something to focus on and distract my mind away from so many intrusive thoughts.
Working with James has been fantastic as I needed a structured course and WOW, James and I email back and forth often when I have questions. I don’t think there are too many courses out there that if you email them your struggles they will actually try and help guide your learning towards your needs. James does that and he actually gets me and understands my illnesses and injuries and thanks me for the sacrifices I made.
I am half way through the beginner course and I am loving it so much. What I learn in the course, I practice everyday and then I link up with my brother (Todd) on Zoom in another province. He helps me with what I am learning and always teaches me some new stuff as well. My brother is a big support for me.
I would highly recommend James and his courses over any other one out there. The personal touch and effort he puts into the courses and his students is second to none.
I began this journey playing guitar with a wonderful donation of a starter guitar from Guitar for Veterans Canada. Then a year later I donated the guitar to another Veteran to get started. While my life long journey began with my 717e Grand Pacific special edition Taylor which was a gift from my wife. It is the first thing I do in the morning and last thing I do at night.
- Chris Robinson
I’m certain that each of the lessons that James prepares is very well thought out. In fact, his entire course represents a lot of preparation. But I think that if you follow the course and you do all of the exercises in the lessons, there’s no way that you can fail.
– Hal Rogers
I really appreciated James style and the way he connects with you right where you are. He talks in a way that you can hear it. You can you can listen to it, you can receive it. And it makes you want to push into it and do your lesson and actually follow along. So I would encourage anybody that’s thinking about it to give his lessons a try.
– Scott Newcomer
Like most of us recreational guitarists, I felt, with a few chords I had already reached my plateau and became frustrated. However your video tutorials have changed my entire approach and has made me want to pick up the guitar again with the same love and passion I first had when starting to learn how to play. In my humble opinion, you are by far the best online instructor and there are many but your videos touch me and make me want to get better.
– Ian Monck
I enjoyed the course a great deal. Your explanations are clear and the “chunks” of each lesson are appropriately sized for a beginner. It took me a while to finish as I was doing this in spare time, but you have things structured to allow a quick review to get back on track after a pause in lessons. I have learned a couple songs along the way, I Walk the Line, Sweet Home Alabama, Bad Moon Rising, and parts of Knockin on Heaven’s Door and Sweet Caroline. You instruction is well worth the cost. Thanks!
– Terry Keefer
The courses were very well written and very well paced. I found it’s very helpful for someone like me who doesn’t take in-person classes.
– Angelica Roberts
I love the fact that James is clear, goes slowly, is patient. It’s helped me immensely, to turn me from someone who doesn’t even know how to hold a guitar, to someone who can play.
– Steve Weitzen
"One of the best learning experiences of my life"
James's approach to teaching guitar was exactly what I needed to finally learn guitar. My whole life playing guitar seemed to be out of reach for me. James takes the mystery out of the amazing instrument and makes playing it accessible to any kind of learner. He breaks the lessons down into small enough chunks that you're able to understand basic musical concepts early in the process. James also gives you the tools and program for practicing and make the concepts learned a more natural part of who you are (or who you are becoming).
I've watched quite a number of YouTube guitar teachers with huge followings and huge personalities to match. James delivers lessons in a way that puts the student first. I learned something new in every lesson. I've completed the course, but I go back and review content and his new videos and learn something new every time. Plus I see my own experience and skill level increase as I review. It's been one of the best learning experiences of my life.
- Bryon Mondok
“Five out of five! Excellent - bite-sized - easy to learn.”
-Â Gary Lloyd
"I wasted a week trying to learn on youtube. The teaching just wasn't beginner friendly. I purchased James's course to see if I would see progress and I saw results after THREE days! (I was practicing every chance I got.) I'm a little over 50% done with the course and I am VERY impressed with the results. Thank you, James!"
- Alyssa Perez
"I love how James teaches; He is relaxed and patient, encouraging and smooth. Lessons progress at a nice pace so it is always interesting. I also like that he doesn't promise things like "Learn guitar in a week!" or "Easy shortcuts to be great at everything on guitar!" Thanks James for helping me!"
- Gabrielle Gandolfo
"I recently started playing guitar and have tried many different online teachers but you are by far the best. I like how you take things slowly and simply but then tell us things we can do to make it more complex when we are ready. It feels more like a proper lesson instead of just a video."
- Georgia Williamson
Have Fun Playing The Songs You Love
It's never too late to start learning guitar. Let me show you the path to finally getting good at guitar and finally achieve your goals and dreams.
Join Today
