I really like Guitar Tricks. I think I've been a member for 3 or so years. I've also referred people. You're doing great!
And, I'm happy that I may be able to help add value to Guitar Trick!!! Yay!
Since Fundamentals 1 has been updated, I've decided to take my 10 yr old boy and my 8 yr old girl through it. It's my 8 yr old's first time. My 10 yr old went through the former Fundamentals 1.
I've only just finished chapter 1 with my kids. Here are some observations:
1. The pick
I noticed that I needed to stop the lesson and tell my 8 yr old what a pick is, and how to hold it properly. It's not covered in chapter 1.
2. Strumming
I noticed that I needed to stop the lesson and tell my 8 yr old how to strum properly without cutting into the strings with her pick. Chapter 1 doesn't cover proper strumming for beginners.
3. Making a note
I'm not sure if I missed it, but I did notice that I had to stop a lesson - my 8 yr old had no idea how to make a note. I had to teach her where to place her thumb, and where to place her finger on the string. I can't remember any part of the chapter actually explaining the mechanics of making a note.
4. Why "the pick" and "strumming" and "note making" is important early in chapter 1
I noticed that chapter one very quickly moves the student into a lesson on how to tune a guitar with a tuner and then acoustically. The biggest hurdle when I reached this lesson was the lack of teaching about what a pick is, how to strum, and how to make a note.
If Fundamentals 1 is meant for the absolute beginner, those three things absolutely need to be taught before the student learns how to tune the guitar.
5. Money was left on the table
While describing the different choices of guitar stands, that would have been a perfect opportunity to advertise something your site may want to sell. My kids are a fan of wall mounts because they see me using them in my office. During that part of the lesson, the student could have been pointed toward a store where you have an affiliate link, or your own store, where a stand or a wall mount could be purchased.
6. The lesson points outside of the site
IMO, this is a big deal for your brand. While talking about stringing guitars, the teacher sent people to google/YouTube "how to string a guitar." If Fundamentals 1 is meant for the absolute beginner, but if that is too complicated to include within Fundamentals 1, IMO, the teacher can point toward a tutorial within your own site to keep your viewers' attention on your brand (instead of pointing them to all the free guitar lessons available). IMO, Lisa wasn't ready to present the topic and she panicked.
7. Scripted / no connection
I'm sorry, this is just totally my personal opinion. I don't even know if it's true, it's just what I was feeling through chapter 1 (particularly while I had to stop the lessons). The teaching styles of the old and the new are very different. It felt like Chris was actually talking to me. It feels like Lisa is running through a script. I certainly don't think she's a bad teacher (she's great). But, this feels really scripted... which can be considered partly good for Guitar Tricks because it accomplishes what you're trying to achieve. But, I feel like it's less engaging and not truly anticipating where the student might be (like, not knowing how to manage a pick and a pluck). So, in that sense, it's bad for Guitar Tricks because it's prioritizing your own felt needs and perhaps not expressing enough of an interest in the student's needs.
I hope it helps.
Thanks,
Rick.