If you've been playing for years and your solos still circle the same box shapes, the real question isn't whether Adam Loves Guitar is cheap. It's whether it fixes the specific thing holding you back for less than a teacher would. We haven't taken this course ourselves, so this guide doesn't review the lessons. It gives you a way to compare cost honestly. Confirm the current price, what's included, and the terms on the official site before deciding.
The short answer
A pre-recorded course usually costs less than a run of private lessons, but you're buying different things. A course gives you structure and material you can repeat. A private teacher gives you feedback on your playing. For soloing, feedback on phrasing, timing and note choice is often what experienced players are missing. Price alone won't settle it.
How to compare the cost properly
Step 1: Get the real course price
Check the official page for the current price, whether it's a one-time payment or a subscription, and what access you get. Prices and promotions change, so don't rely on a number you saw in a forum post. Our pages on buying Adam Loves Guitar: price, discounts and refunds and current deals cover how to check this, but the official site is the final word.
Step 2: Get your local lesson rate
Private rates vary a lot by city, teacher experience and lesson length. Ask two or three local or online teachers what they charge. Use real quotes, not national averages.
Step 3: Run the break-even math
- Break-even lessons = course price ÷ your teacher's per-lesson rate. This tells you how many private lessons the course costs.
- Realistic cost per hour = price ÷ hours of material you'll actually work through, not the hours listed.
- Time check: be honest about how many weeks you'll stick with it. See how long a guitar course takes to finish.
A course you abandon in week three costs more per useful hour than a pricier option you finish.
Course vs private lessons: what you actually get
| Factor | Online course (e.g., Adam Loves Guitar) | Private lessons |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Typically lower; verify on the official site | Ongoing, per lesson |
| Feedback on your playing | Limited unless the course offers it; check what's included | Direct and specific |
| Pacing | Self-directed; you set the schedule | Set by your lesson calendar |
| Repeatable material | Yes, you can rewatch | Only if you record or take notes |
| Customization | Fixed curriculum | Built around your goals |
| Accountability | Mostly on you | Built in |
Where a course makes sense for soloing
- You need structure more than correction. If you know the pentatonic shapes but not how to connect them, an organized path can fill gaps. Compare it against our lead guitar roadmap to see whether the course covers what you're missing.
- You practice alone and consistently. Self-paced material rewards players who already have a routine.
- Budget matters. Spreading a single purchase over months can beat paying per session.
Recommended for youWhat Reddit Recommends for Guitar Courses (And How to Read the Advice)Where private lessons win
- Your problem is hard to diagnose yourself. Sloppy bends, rushed phrasing and bad habits are easier for a teacher to spot than for you.
- You want a custom plan. A teacher can build around your gear, genre and style.
- You need external accountability. A booked lesson gets you to the practice room.
A middle path
You don't have to choose one. Plenty of players use a course for the curriculum and book a few one-off lessons to check their progress. That uses a teacher's time for feedback, which is the part a course can't easily replace. It's also usually cheaper than weekly lessons for months. Whether this works for you depends on what the course includes, so check the official page.
Honest tradeoffs and red flags
- Experienced players may find some material familiar. Check the curriculum outline or free lesson, if offered, to see whether the level fits. Our pricing, free lesson and login FAQ is a starting point.
- Results depend on practice. No course or teacher can promise you'll improve by a certain date.
- Reviews are noisy. Forum praise and complaints both skew toward extremes. Our guide on reading Reddit's guitar course advice explains how to weigh them.
- Free options exist. Before paying, see our comparison of free vs paid guitar courses. If you only need a few specific techniques, YouTube may be enough.
Reduce the risk before you buy
- Read the official sales page for the curriculum, access terms and what's included.
- Write down your one or two soloing goals, such as "connect pentatonic boxes" or "phrase over changes," and check whether the course addresses them directly.
- Read the guarantee terms. Our refund policy explainer shows what to look for, but confirm the current terms with the seller.
- Commit to a short trial: a set number of weeks, a set practice schedule, and a record of your playing at the start and end.
- If you stall, book a single private lesson to find out why.
Bottom line
Adam Loves Guitar may be worth it if you need an organized path and can supply the discipline. Private lessons are worth the extra money if your playing needs eyes and ears on it. Run the break-even math with real quotes, check the official site for current pricing and terms, and pick the option that addresses your actual bottleneck. For a fuller breakdown of price, discounts and refunds, start with our buying guide.
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