Digital fingers, analog limitations: Where guitar apps reach their limits with fingerstyle playing

In today's digital world, it's tempting to open an app to learn a new instrument. Especially with the guitar – a popular, versatile instrument – ​​there are countless learning opportunities in the form of videos, courses, and interactive apps.

Limitations of learning technically demanding guitar music via app – using fingerstyle as an example

But especially with fingerstyle playing , a technically demanding and expressive style, it quickly becomes clear: a real guitar teacher offers distinct advantages over any app. In this expert commentary by Zurich-based post-rock musician Sebastian Mussgnug , you'll learn why individual training under the guidance of an experienced teacher is the better long-term path for fingerstyle guitarists .

01 Fingerstyle is complex – sophisticated technique requires direct correction

Fingerstyle guitar is more than just playing chords. It's a playing style where you use your bare fingertips to play bass, melody, harmony, and rhythm simultaneously on one guitar. Here's what you'll need:

• precise coordination of the right hand (thumb for the bass, fingers for melody and chords),
• left-hand method for precise grasping actions,
• Timing and dynamics,
• Knowing how to organize songs and how they are structured.

Apps sometimes include workouts, tabs, and even illustrations depicting the desired playing technique. But they can't help you correct aspects of your guitar playing, such as excessive thumb tension, incorrect left-handed barre chords, or inconsistent timing. A real teacher can immediately identify and correct these errors before negative habits develop or become ingrained.

by the example of Australian Tommy Emmanuel , one of the best fingerstyle guitarists on the planet:

02 Individual feedback is invaluable

Different guitarists have different needs and requirements, such as hand size, musical background, learning speed, and personal goals.

A real teacher can talk to each student individually about the following things:

• Are you having difficulty with a particular exercise? The teacher will offer you a different method or an additional step.
• You can play a song correctly, but you don't put any feeling into it? The teacher will help you learn about music and how to play it.
• Are you left-handed or do you have any limitations with your hand? The teacher will adapt the training to your needs.

A guitar learning app, on the other hand, follows a fixed program and doesn't always know what you're familiar with and what you're not. The risk is high that you'll either be underchallenged and lose interest, or overwhelmed and give up in frustration.

03 You cannot “program” musical expression

Fingerstyle playing is all about expressiveness . It's not just about playing the right notes for a piece to sound "right," but also about paying attention to small details, such as:

• Impact force,
• Tempo patterns (Rubato),
• phrasing,
• Timbre determined by finger position.

It's difficult to accurately demonstrate these things in an app. A teacher, on the other hand, can help you improve your musical expression by giving you concrete sound examples, asking follow-up questions like "What are you trying to express with this passage?" , and offering specific advice. Advanced players, in particular, benefit enormously from learning to move beyond the purely technical aspects.

04 Avoiding or resolving blockages

Many guitarists, especially those who play fingerstyle, reach a point where they can no longer improve. There are many reasons why this can happen:

• technical problems (e.g. separation of bass and melody lines),
• Loss of motivation,
• Overwhelmed by having to learn too many techniques at once,
• Frustration due to lack of progress.

A teacher can help by identifying what's wrong, adjusting the practice plan, and motivating the student by giving them fresh ideas or smaller goals to work towards. An app, on the other hand, cannot address this mental and emotional aspect of learning because it remains impersonal and formulaic.

05 Structure and focus on learning objectives

Having a real teacher is beneficial for music lessons because they are then well-structured. Experienced teachers create personalized learning programs that take into account your abilities, the time available, and what you want to learn musically.

For example, you will receive:

• a sensible training structure (technique, repertoire, theory),
• a realistic assessment of your progress,
• regularly new impulses and challenges.

Apps usually have a lot of content, but they don't always tell you how to best use it. Many students get lost in it, trying too many things, but not really learning anything in depth. This context is crucial in fingerstyle, both when you're playing along and when you later write your own melodies.

06 Learning includes personal exchange

Direct conversation with a teacher is a significant advantage:

• You can ask questions at any time – including about theory, equipment or music history.
• You will receive answers tailored to your context.
• You are encouraged to reflect beyond the actual game.

Sharing ideas helps us learn more about music, become more independent, and improve our technical skills. Fingerstyle is also a creative profession that encompasses writing, arranging, and performing music. An app can get you playing along, but it can't make you an exceptional musician.

07 Long-term motivation through human connection

Speaking with an instructor, whether in weekly one-on-one classes or regular coaching sessions, is motivating. You build a personal connection, receive praise and constructive criticism, and feel that your concerns are being heard. This makes people more engaged and helps them stay on track, even if they don't have much time or aren't very confident.

Many students report that they continued playing the instrument for a long time because the teacher understood and supported them. An app cannot achieve this in such a sustainable way.

08 Flexibility and relevance of the lessons

An experienced fingerstyle teacher can adapt to new situations.

• Do you want to learn a specific song? The teacher can break the piece down into meaningful components and show you a working version.
• Would you like to learn about open tunings or playing percussion? The teacher will tailor the lessons to your specific needs.
• Do you have a short-term goal, such as a wedding, a performance, or a recording? This can also be addressed specifically in a one-on-one consultation.

With apps, you're limited to pre-made content. They're often technically sophisticated but limited in scope. There's not much room for new trends, personal preferences, or innovative features that can be quickly added.

Conclusion of a professional music teacher: Apps as a supplement – ​​but not a replacement

Apps have a long history of development and are popular because they are engaging, fun, and offer access to a wide range of resources. However, they have their limitations, especially when it comes to playing fingerstyle guitar. Individual lessons remain the only option here due to the demanding combination of technique, expressiveness, coordination, and personal interpretation.

A good teacher not only knows a lot; he also has experience, sensitivity, and a sense of how music should grow.”

Having a teacher is excellent for anyone who truly wants to learn fingerstyle guitar in a clean, creative, and musical way. Apps can be helpful, especially in the beginning, but they individual guitar lessons .

Sebastian Mussgnug

Sebastian Mussgnug came to music via an unconventional route. After less than inspiring piano lessons in his childhood, a friend from the metal scene rekindled his passion for the guitar during his sociology studies in Berlin. The realization that rapid progress is possible with sufficient dedication has shaped his teaching approach ever since.

His background in communication studies helps him to explain complex musical concepts clearly and to cater to individual students. When he's not teaching, he dedicates himself to his Zurich-based prog/post-rock band, with whom he is working on a debut album, as well as his solo project as a fingerstyle guitarist. This practical experience informs his diverse teaching style – ranging from jazz and bossa nova to rock.

www.xn--gitarrenunterrichtzrich-upc.ch/