I have no experience with playing the guitar. However, my oldest son has a small guitar that he has been teaching himself to play for a while. So when I received the Jean Welles Worship Guitar Class on DVD, I gave it right to him.
The 4-volume program is designed for students ages 10-adult. (There is another program for children.) “Each volume contains around a dozen new chords, half a dozen new strumming and finger-picking patterns with 7 familiar worship songs.”
The songs included on Volume 1 are:
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
My All in All More Precious than Silver
Take My Life
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
This is the Day
I Love You, Lord
The lessons provide simple instruction on how to play the chords, as well as demonstrate the strumming patterns and songs.
My son has a little bit of experience on the guitar using another lesson book. However, it begins with playing melodies, while the Jean Welles method begins with chords. This was his first experience playing chords, and he had a little trouble following the DVD. However, we just realized that he was trying to learn the chords without the accompanying book. Now that we discovered our error, we both think the lessons will be much easier to follow. The lessons are obviously Christian and the emphasis is on playing songs to accompany singing. I suspect that is not typical for guitar lessons, but not having experience with other guitar programs or private lessons, I cannot say for sure. I think this program provides a good start for guitar at a much lower price than private lessons. It would be a low risk way to gauge a student’s interest in guitar before investing in more expensive lessons. However, I have found that it is very difficult continue with independent music lessons long term.
Each DVD is available for $24.95 and each book is $5.95. There are several different packages available. To order on-line, go to worshipguitarclass.com.To read more reviews of the Jean Welles Worship Guitar program, visit the Homeschool Crew blog.
By Kristen H.