While the guitar has been a popular instrument for many years, more and more people are wanting to learn to play it for themselves. Teens may fantasize about becoming the next big rockstar, but there are many people who just want to learn to play the guitar just so they can enjoy making music. So many of these enthusiastic guitar fans don't find the best way to learn guitar however, and after a few fruitless attempts they give up. Everyone learns a bit differently. Besides that fact, we all have different resources, different schedules, jobs and demands on our time. If you are not making the strides you wish you were, perhaps it is because you haven't found the best way to learn guitar. There are many methods to learn to play this instrument out there. A few are listed below. Theory Books There are lots of theory books that you can buy to teach you how to play the guitar. Some are actually very good, and if you learn best this way, an excellent theory book may be the way to go. This method is cheap, and you can learn at your own rate. However, most of us don't do well using this method by itself. If you are patient and determined however, this may be the best way to learn guitar for you. Video Lessons You can find video guitar lessons on tapes and DVDs in most music stores as well as online. You may even find some video lessons online, some of which are even free of charge. Learning with a video is dynamic and you may stay more focused. Like the theory books, these lessons allow you to practice whenever it is convenient for you. The only real drawback is that you can't get feedback or personalized attention like you would with a teacher. Private Lessons If you have time and money to dedicate to your pursuit, most people are successful if they take private lessons. A good guitar teacher can design a program that is customized to your learning style and you get feedback and one-on-one attention to keep you on track. They can also correct any mistakes you may be making early, so they don't become habits. This is the best way to learn guitar for many people. Learning by Ear Some people who were born blessed with natural musical ability find learning the guitar by ear to be fun and effective. With modern technology that allows us to slow down audio, this is a lot easier than it used to be in generations past. Remember that you should be having fun playing the guitar. If it is more stressful or difficult than you think it should be, it could be the learning strategy you've chosen that is making it this way. If you really want to find the best way to learn guitar, you may need to try many methods before you find the one that you like best. If you have the money and the time to practice regularly, you'll find that having private lessons will be the quickest way to achieve the goal you've set.