The internet is jam-packed with beginner guitar lessons. It's almost impossible to use the internet without stumbling upon some kind of tutorial. Also, guitar magazines are becoming rampant with articles on making you lightning fast and improving your guitar skills in a day.

Now there is nothing wrong with guitar tutorials, except when they are used to manipulate beginning guitarists. So we're clear, I don’t have a problem with guitar tutorials in general just the nature of a lot of the internet ones.

The problem is websites and magazines recognize that novices aren’t very experienced with the various styles of music, so they attempt to sway them into thinking particular styles are more significant than others.

What would be the point of them doing this? So that you will buy their product or their sponsors product. Maybe so that you will return to their website or maybe buy their magazine again.

Whole genres are left behind and classic styles are spoiled as new musicians are being developed with confused and manipulated opinions of what makes a great guitarist. There are all kinds of negative effects from all this. Knowledge of what the guitar is really about is escaping new guitarists.

So which style are the magazines and websites revering above all else? It's called shred. Shred is just a cluster of pointless notes played meaninglessly fast in an impersonal and cold manner.

Of course there are times when shred is called for; it can be a great complement to a solo and an opportunity for a guitarist to demonstrate their genuine abilities. But the magazines and websites are making it seem like this is the premier style; and should be followed above all else.

It used to be that catchy riffs and cool chord progressions were the marks of a good guitarist; now you can just play a certain solo or arpeggio very fast. These guitarists get so fast by practicing the same scales time after time.

What is my point? I guess I am just issuing a warning for the next generation of guitarists. Please don’t blindly follow the websites and the magazines.

I do not mean to say that shred is bad; it is a fine style to learn, as long as you study it in conjunction with other styles. The magazines and websites are trying to sell products; they are not trying to provide knowledge of music in general. Make up your own mind on what styles appeal to you most.

Playing the music you like is perhaps the most enjoyable part of learning the guitar, but before you can play your favorite songs or write some of your own you need a good undertanding of the basics.

I previously stated that there is a lot of bad information onine about beginner guitar lessons. Don't let that info cloud your dreams though, as there are some good courses available too.

One that I really like, and have seen used successfully is called Jamorama. What I love about Jamorama is they teach you the basic guitar foundations you need while still giving you the freedom to explore your own musical interests.