Peter Holland

Pete HollandGuitarist/singer, gigging musicianFrom London, currently based on the east coast of Spain.A mostly self-taught guitarist and singer with the help of private lessons along the way.Part-time gigging musician for 35 years.Also worked, pre covid, in a local school as Mr. Pete "Guitar Man", teaching English through music, another thing that I really enjoyed and hope to be doing again soon.Teaching: I give private lessons, one-to-one or to small beginner groups.What I've realised is that not everyone wants the same thing from the guitar. Some want to become guitar heroes, some want to be song composers, and some just want to noodle at home in front of the TV. So there is no "one course fits all" option when it comes to learning the guitar, it always depends on what the student is hoping to achieve. That's one of the reasons why so many people start guitar and give up. For those people I came up with what l think is a simpler method of starting out, using a couple of basic shortcuts, with the aim of getting the student along the learning path sufficiently that they carry on with it and don't give up. I'll give away some of the secrets here.Keep it simple.Stay in one key.See chords as they function in that key (there are just 7 chords!)Don't even name the chords, just number them 1 to 7. Hey! that's just like the pros actually do.Suddenly, intervals (the difference in sound between two notes) are clear, song structures are apparent, the basics of music make sense. So, you're only in one key, but it's easy to learn other keys later on.I'm convinced that this Shortcut to Guitar course is as simple and painless as it can be. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it might be for you.