Ever tried explaining a tricky chord shape over the phone? It’s a nightmare.
Teaching guitar has always been about being there, watching someone’s fingers, correcting their posture, and feeling the moment when something clicks. But the world’s changed. We’ve swapped in-person jams for screen-time sessions, and somehow, we’re still finding ways to pass on the magic.
Video has quietly become one of the most powerful tools in a guitarist’s teaching toolkit. Whether you’re uploading quick tips on social media or recording full-length lessons from your bedroom, guitar video lessons are helping players connect, grow, and keep the music alive, wherever they are.
In this blog, I’ll share a few lessons I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) about making your online guitar teaching not just work, but connect. No fluff—just what actually helps students stay interested, engaged, and coming back for more.
Why Video Just Works for Teaching Guitar
Here’s the thing: the guitar is a visual instrument. You can’t just hear a chord change or a strumming pattern and expect it to land. You’ve got to see it.
That’s why video teaching works so well. It’s the closest thing to being in the room. Your student can watch your fingers move, pause when they miss something, and rewind as many times as they need. Honestly, I wish I had that kind of access when I was learning. Maybe I wouldn’t have taken three months to master barre chords.
Also, let’s be real, this video saves energy. You don’t have to teach the same lesson fifteen times in one week. Record it once. Send it out. Boom.
Start Simple: Your Setup Doesn’t Need to Be Fancy
Don’t let gear stop you. I started with my phone propped up on a stack of books and a window for lighting. Was it perfect? Nope. Did it get the job done? Absolutely.
Here’s what really matters:
- Make sure your hands are clearly visible.
- Use natural light or a small ring light if you can.
- Keep background noise low (fans and pets love to sabotage takes).
And for the love of tone, make sure your audio’s clear. People will forgive a blurry video, but if they can’t hear you? You’ve lost them. Eventually, I picked up a tripod and a budget lapel mic. But only after I got into the groove of making videos. Start where you are. Oh, and if you’re aiming to create the best video content, it has nothing to do with flashy edits. It’s about being clear, calm, and real.
Teach Like You’re Talking to One Person
This one changed everything for me.
Don’t perform. Teach!
When the camera’s on, talk like you’re chatting with a student who’s sitting right across from you, guitar in hand, probably frustrated that G to D still sounds off. Keep your voice steady. Smile when you mess up. Throw in a “you’ll get this, trust me.”
And explain things like they’re brand new. Instead of just saying “play this riff,” break down why it works. Show them the feel, not just the notes.
One trick I use? I record the first take like I’m sending a message to a friend. That version always feels warmer, more natural, and it usually ends up being the one I post.
Plan Your Lessons Like a Playlist, Not a Syllabus
Nobody wants to sit through a 45-minute monologue on the Circle of Fifths. Keep it short and sweet. Think of each video like a song on an album. They should flow, but stand strong on their own, too.
You could group lessons by theme:
- Power chords in punk
- Fingerpicking basics
- Quick fix: muting unwanted strings
- 3 chords, 10 songs
Make sure each video ends with something actionable:
“Alright, pause here. Practice switching between these two chords five times.” Or: “Try this strumming pattern with your favorite song and see how it feels.”
Little wins build big confidence.
Keep ‘Em Interested (Because Attention Spans Are Short in the time of constant dopamine rush-filled content)
Let’s be honest: most students are watching on their phones, between classes, or during their lunch break. You’ve got about 30 seconds to grab them, and 3 minutes to keep them.
A few things that help:
- Speak clearly and slowly. Don’t rush like you’re late for soundcheck.
- Zoom in or hold your guitar up when you’re doing something tricky.
- Use simple overlays or tabs on the screen if possible, nothing fancy, just helpful.
- And ask questions like, “Can you hear the difference when I change the finger pressure here?” Even if no one answers, it keeps them engaged.
- And if your dog walks into frame halfway through? Let it happen. It makes you human.
Things That Might Trip You Up (Been There)
- A few traps I fell into when I first started:
- Talking too much before playing anything. People didn’t come to your TED Talk.
- Uploading 20-minute videos with no clear sections—no one knew where to focus.
- Ignoring lighting or sound—again, audio is king.
- Trying to be someone else. The best videos are the ones that sound like you, not your favorite YouTuber.
- Learn from those mistakes. Your viewers will appreciate it.
Wrapping Up: You Don’t Need to Be Perfect, Just Present
Here’s what you must take from this write-up: You don’t need to have a fancy studio or a perfect plan that would never fail or would always work perfectly to start teaching guitar online. Rather, you just need a plan with a clear motive, a guitar, a camera, and the willingness to share what you know.
The more you show up, the more you learn. About your students. About your own playing. About how to connect, even through a screen. So go ahead… record that first lesson. Mess up a little. Laugh it off. Keep going. Someone out there is waiting to learn from exactly the way you teach.