So, you're thinking about going to uni to study guitar. Or maybe you're already halfway through filling out your UCAS application and wondering:

"Is this actually worth it?"

As someone who’s been through the system and gone on to work professionally as a guitarist, I want to give you a real, unfiltered look at what studying guitar at university is actually like — the good, the bad, and what you might want to consider instead.

🎓 The Pros of Studying Guitar at University

Let’s start with the upside — because there are genuine benefits:

✅ Time to focus on your playing
Three years to practise, jam, and immerse yourself in music? That’s a rare opportunity. For some, it’s the first time they get to really take it seriously.

✅ Networking
You’ll meet other musicians, producers, singers, and tutors. Some of those relationships can last a lifetime (and lead to gigs and sessions later on).

✅ Resources & facilities
Recording studios, performance spaces, masterclasses — stuff that would cost...

Let’s be real — the internet is full of guitar lessons.

YouTube tutorials, PDFs, free apps, 20-minute “shred in a week” ads… it’s a lot. And if you’ve ever tried to teach yourself guitar online, you’ve probably asked yourself:

“Can I actually learn guitar properly this way?”

Short answer: yes — but not all online learning is equal.

I’ve seen students waste years bouncing between random YouTube videos, and I’ve also seen players make serious progress with the right online approach. So let’s talk about what actually works… and what doesn’t.

What Doesn’t Work (Don’t Fall Into These Traps)

❌ Binge-watching random tutorials
Jumping between 10 different YouTubers teaching different techniques in different styles is entertaining, but it doesn’t give you structure — and you won’t retain much. It’s like learning a language by reading random words in a dictionary.

❌ Overcomplicated theory too early
I’ve seen beginner players thrown into jazz chord extensions and modal theory before they ...

Let’s be honest — learning guitar online can feel like chasing your tail. One minute you’re watching a tutorial about barre chords, the next you're down a rabbit hole about alternate picking, and somehow you still can’t play that song you love without messing up halfway through.

I’ve been there. The internet is full of lessons, tips, and “must-know” tricks… but knowing where to start — and what actually matters — is a whole different story.

Why Learning Guitar Online Feels So Confusing

There’s no shortage of free tutorials out there. YouTube alone could keep you busy for the rest of your life. But here’s the problem:

• There’s no clear learning path — Just scattered lessons with no real structure

• A lot of it is taught by people who’ve never worked in the music industry professionally

• And there’s no one to actually help you when you get stuck

Learning online can work. But if you want to make proper progress, you’ve got to be smarter with how you do it.

Here’s ...