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Jamplay Guitar LessonsJamplay guitar lessons are an online, video-based set of tutorials that is much more comprehensive than L and M, although structured very differently. When I began with Jamplay I particularly liked the fact that there are several tutors to follow each of whom has their own style of teaching different genres of guitar. I have learnt a lot just from this fact alone; there is no one way to learn how to play the instrument. You can choose whether you get taught by a tutor using an electric guitar, an acoustic or a classical model, which gives the whole course a very personal feel and allows you to learn exactly what you want to. You can also ask live questions in online sessions with the Jamplay teachers. You actually get to interact live with your tutors! No other course I have come across offers this. Tutorial setupIn addition to the tutors themselves, who tend to specialise in what they teach, there is a lively and helpful student forum that operates in much the same way as the one at L and M. It's a great way to exchange ideas and get problems solved by those who have gone before, as well as by the tutors who regularly contribute.A typical lesson with Jamplay consists of a high quality online video, which can be anything from 5 to 50 minutes in length, plus a fully illustrated transcript that you can refer to as often you wish. The longer videos are divided up into chapters for easy reference, so you don't have to wade through the whole thing in one sitting. In fact all the material is superbly put together and the whole site is very user friendly. There is also a system whereby you can keep track of your progress that I like very much. Structured paymentsThe only real disadvantages are that you have to be online to use the course, which can be a problem for those on dial-up or low bandwidth systems, and the fact that you hire, rather than buy, the package. By that I mean you have the choice of paying a monthly, quarterly or annual fee and whichever you choose everything is available to you, but of course the subscriptions run out. So although the annual fee is a lot cheaper than the purchase price of L and M, if you want to continue with the course for a second year you would need to pay a further subscription. Now don't get me wrong, this is still a whole lot cheaper than using a private tutor. In fact, by owning L and M and subscribing to Jamplay I am still way ahead financially on that one, but it is something to bear in mind. The chances are that if you do persist for a whole year you will be so pleased with your progress that you will want to continue - and that, with Jamplay, would involve a further fee. Is it for you?Will Jamplay guitar lessons meet your expectations? Well, fortunately I can give you the opportunity of making up your own mind; just click on sample guitar lessons to be taken to a page featuring some of the actual guitar tutorials. I know you'll be as impressed as I was (and still am) with what is on offer. |