YouTube Is Amazing for Musicians - If You Use It Right
There are millions of free music lessons on YouTube covering every instrument, genre, and skill level. But there is a massive difference between passively watching guitar tutorials and actively practising with them.
Most musicians use YouTube as a jukebox - they watch a lesson once, try to play along at full speed, get frustrated, and move on to the next video. The information goes in one ear and out the other.
These 7 tips will help you turn YouTube from entertainment into an effective practice tool.
The 7 Tips
Use a dedicated practice tool instead of YouTube's player
YouTube's built-in speed control is limited: it only offers fixed presets (0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 2x) and has no looping feature. For serious practice, you need finer speed control and the ability to loop specific sections.
A dedicated practice tool like PracticeLoop gives you continuous speed adjustment, AB looping to repeat any section automatically, saved loops you can name and recall, and progressive speed training that gradually increases tempo as you improve.
Find teachers who explain, not just demonstrate
There are two types of music tutorial on YouTube: demonstrations (someone plays the piece) and lessons (someone teaches you how to play it). Both have value, but for practice purposes, prioritise teachers who:
- Break the piece into sections and teach each one separately
- Show close-up camera angles of both hands
- Explain the why behind technique choices, not just the what
- Play sections slowly before showing them at full speed
- Acknowledge common mistakes and how to avoid them
A flashy performance video might inspire you, but a patient teacher explaining finger positions at half speed will actually make you better.
Use video timestamps to structure your practice
Good tutorial videos include timestamps in the description or as chapters. Use these to create a practice plan rather than watching the whole video from start to finish each time.
For example, if a guitar lesson has timestamps for "Verse riff (2:30)", "Chorus (5:15)", and "Solo (8:45)", you can jump directly to whichever section you need to work on today. Do not waste practice time rewatching sections you have already mastered.
If the video does not have timestamps, create your own. Note the time codes for each section in a notebook or phone note, along with the speed you are currently practising each section at.
Always slow down before trying to play along
The single biggest mistake musicians make with YouTube practice is trying to play along at full speed immediately. You end up flailing through the passage, reinforcing mistakes, and building sloppy muscle memory.
Instead, follow this sequence: watch the section once at full speed to understand the target. Then slow it down to 50% and listen carefully. Then play along at 50%. Only increase speed when you can play it cleanly at the current tempo.
This approach feels slower in the moment but gets you to full speed faster in total. Read more about the science behind slow practice.
Watch multiple teachers for the same piece
Different teachers explain things differently. What confuses you in one tutorial might click instantly in another. Searching for the same song or technique from 2-3 different teachers gives you:
- Different camera angles that reveal details you missed
- Alternative fingerings or techniques you might prefer
- Explanations phrased in ways that suit your learning style
- A more complete understanding of the piece
Do not commit to the first tutorial you find. Spend 5 minutes sampling a few before deciding which one to practice with.
Create playlists organised by skill level and goal
Instead of watching whatever YouTube recommends, build structured playlists that match your practice goals. For example:
- Warm-up exercises - scale patterns, finger exercises, technique drills
- Current repertoire - songs you are actively learning
- Theory and ear training - interval recognition, chord identification, sight-reading
- Inspiration - performances to watch for motivation (not during practice time)
Treat your playlists like a curriculum. This prevents the endless scrolling and "I will just watch one more" habit that turns practice time into screen time.
Set a timer and stick to active practice
YouTube is designed to keep you watching. Autoplay, recommendations, and related videos are all optimised to hold your attention - which is the opposite of what focused practice needs.
Set a timer for your practice session (15-30 minutes is ideal). During that time, you should be playing your instrument more than watching the screen. A good ratio is 80% playing, 20% watching. If you find yourself watching without your instrument in hand for more than a minute, pause and pick it up.
When the timer goes off, stop. You can watch more YouTube for entertainment later, but keep practice time focused and finite.
Put These Tips into Practice
Paste any YouTube music video into PracticeLoop. Slow it down, loop the sections you need to work on, and build speed gradually.
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Popular Songs to Practice
Each of these pages has a pre-loaded PracticeLoop link with the key section looped and slowed down, ready to practise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I slow down a YouTube video without changing the pitch?
Yes. YouTube's built-in speed control preserves pitch at all speeds. You can also use dedicated tools like PracticeLoop which give you finer speed control (0.25x to 2x) and let you loop specific sections for repeated practice.
How do I loop a specific section of a YouTube video for practice?
YouTube does not have a built-in AB loop feature. You can use a practice tool like PracticeLoop to set start and end points on any section of a YouTube video. The section repeats automatically so you can play along without touching the keyboard or screen.
What are the best YouTube channels for learning guitar?
Some consistently recommended channels include Justin Guitar (beginner-friendly structured courses), Marty Music (song tutorials), Paul Davids (intermediate technique), and Rick Beato (music theory and ear training). The best channel depends on your level and what you want to learn.
Is YouTube good enough to learn an instrument without a teacher?
YouTube is an excellent learning resource but has limitations. It cannot give you personalised feedback on your technique, posture, or tone. Many successful musicians combine YouTube learning with occasional lessons from a teacher who can identify and correct bad habits that are hard to spot yourself.
How do I avoid getting distracted by YouTube during practice?
Use a dedicated practice tool like PracticeLoop instead of YouTube's own player. This removes the recommendation sidebar, autoplay, comments, and other distractions. Set a timer for your practice session, and commit to keeping your instrument in your hands for at least 80% of the time.