Next Level Guitar is one of the top guitar lesson sites available. It has a lot of information available for you and while it is not the best option, it is still a good option.
Next Level Guitar Includes
- Over 350 lessons - Learn Music Theory - Learn How to Write Songs - Learn Major and Minor Chords
49 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Detailed Ratings
The Good
I was very impressed with the amount of content provided by Next Level Guitar. The lessons total 352 and counting. The meat of the content is dedicated to beginner guitars, which is great since if you are looking for this type of product, then odds are you are a beginner. The amount of content provided for intermediate was also very pleasing. It will start you out from scratch as if you have never even seen a guitar before, then move you along through knowing what you are looking at, how to hold it, and moves on to more advanced exercises.
Almost all of the lessons are video lessons; this is great for all the visual learners. Watching someone will get you playing much faster than just reading and then trying to figure out if you are doing it correctly. There are some written lesson as well. Next Level Guitar also has a forum. Forums are always a plus when you are trying to learn something, you can get direct answers for specific questions and problems you are having.
The Bad
One of the first things I noticed was the lack of organization. The layout and setup of the lessons looks rather sloppy. This gives the site an overall unprofessional feeling. Although they do have a forum, which is great, the forum at Next Level Guitar was not very active. So, if someone is to ask a question, it may take a while to get a decent answer.
The site itself was very slow in loading. This does not take away from the quality of the content, but it was very frustrating. I didn’t like how it was one or the other on video and written lessons. Either you can watch a video with no written part, or read a written lesson with no video or images. I would like to have seen the video, text, images and everything integrated.
The Bottom Line
Next Level Guitar definitely has a lot to offer to a beginner guitarist. There are over 100 lessons for beginners alone, so if you have never even seen a guitar before, no big deal. It then moves you on to intermediate lessons, and finally a small advanced section. It will definitely get you playing guitar, maybe just not as efficiently as some of the competition. The way the lessons are setup make it a bit more difficult to weed through. The lack of activity of the forum was also very unpleasant; it just gives the site an overall feel of being inactive. All in all, it does the job of teaching you to play guitar, even if it isn't the best available.
Couldn't be any easier. Put the CD in the drive and push the botton.
Features
Covers a LOT of neat blues stuff.
Ease of Use
Very easy.
Content Quality
Good for beginners and some intermediate players.
The Good
Very easy to use.
The Bad
There is no written material included with the CD set. On one of the CD's, they mention that there is some written material available for down load, but they don't tell you WHERE it is located or how to find it and although I have looked on their web site, and looked, and looked, I can't find it. After watching four instructional CD's, I can't play a single complete blues song. I can play scales and licks but I can get that in a book at the local guitar store for $9.98.
The Bottom Line
I think these guys are REALLY trying to do a good job. The material you get on theit CD's would cost ten times that much or maybe even more if you learned it from a personal instructor. Dave Taubb is a personal instructor and all you have to do is rewind if you want to hear him explain it again. The consistant reference to the NOTE played by Dave is great and a lot better than other instructional CD's that only reference the fret and string. These CD's, as all material from this company, stresses learning the basics of music and I LOVE THAT. Buy from this company with confidence that you get more than your money's worth.
Could it be better? Yep. But these guys are musicians. They are not communication majors. They are not graphic artist. They are not organizational experts. Musicians are a little different in how they do things and we just have to learn to live with it. This is my second purchase of instructional CD's from Next Level Guitar and it won't be my last.
I've purchased the Next Level Guitar 12 DVD Beginn
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Detailed Ratings
Ease of Installation & Setup
Just pop the DVD's in your player. It's that easy
Features
The DVD's take you from novice to beginner/intermediate. David Taub (the instructor) keeps you very motivated.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use, very clear instruction
Content Quality
Excellent. At the end of the 12th DVD, and with serious practice, you will be able to jam with friends and hold your own as far as chord changes are concerned. He is really big on Strum patterns and chord changing, and recognizing chords by hearing them! Will will know and be able to play well over 60 chords in time.
The Good
Overall a good package. It will get you to a Very Good Level of Guitar Playing in a very short period of time.
The Bad
I wanted more guitar theory and lead playing. But then again remember this is for beginners.
Great website, although it does load slow on a few lessons
Features
Great video guitar lessons presented in a fun way.
Ease of Use
Very easy to navigate, all the lessons are labled in an easy to read fashion. The personality of the teacher makes it a fun, never boring way to learn to play guitar.
Content Quality
excellent content, lots of lessons.
The Good
Great content, fun and easy. I went from a complete beginner to actually playing a song in about an hour.
