February 14, 2025
About the Author: Stefan Joubert
In this insightful interview, Marty Schwartz, the renowned guitar educator and YouTube sensation behind Marty Music, shares his expertise on teaching guitar to students of all levels.
With years of experience, Marty discusses his approach to teaching adult learners, overcoming common misconceptions, and fostering a positive mindset throughout the learning process.
He offers valuable advice on finding time to practice, staying motivated, and making consistent progress. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, Marty’s insights will inspire and guide you on your guitar journey.
Stefan: What differences have you noticed between teaching adults and younger students when it comes to learning guitar?
Marty: Oh, man, this is a big one. The biggest difference is mindset. Younger students tend to be more fearless—they’re not afraid to make mistakes, and they just kind of jump in without overthinking.
Adults, on the other hand, can be more self-critical. They’ll say things like, “Oh, I’m too old to learn this,” or “I have no natural talent.” But here’s the thing—adults actually learn faster in some ways because they can make connections to things they already know. If I say, “This strumming pattern is like the rhythm of a train,” an adult learner can visualize that instantly. So it’s just about helping them push past that initial hesitation.
Stefan: Many of our students at the London Guitar Institute are adult learners. What advice would you give to adults who feel they don’t have enough time to learn an instrument?
Marty: Five minutes a day. That’s it. People think they need an hour-long practice session, but if you just commit to five minutes a day, you’ll actually start seeing progress. And here’s the thing—those five minutes often turn into ten, twenty, or even an hour once you get into it. Also, break it into smaller chunks—maybe do five minutes in the morning and five at night. Small, consistent practice beats one long session once a week every time.
Stefan: In your experience, what are the biggest misconceptions adults have when starting to learn guitar, and how do you address them in your lessons?
Marty: One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need “natural talent” to play guitar. Nope! It’s all about repetition and muscle memory. Another big one is that people think they’re too old to start. That’s just not true. I’ve had students in their 60s and 70s who picked up the guitar and absolutely crushed it. You just have to get past that mental block and commit to small, daily progress.
Stefan: In one of your online guitar lessons for beginners, you used a clever strategy by teaching a strumming pattern with just two chords: E minor and A Suspended 2. Is this approach a good way to help beginners get into playing the instrument?
Marty: Absolutely! The key to keeping beginners engaged is getting them to make real music as soon as possible. Those two chords sound great together, and they don’t require a lot of finger movement, so you can focus on strumming and rhythm. Plus, once a student gets comfortable with that, they can start adding more chords and building up their skills naturally.
Stefan: Your online teaching on YouTube is always very positive, and you bring great enthusiasm. What’s your secret? 🙂
Marty: Ha! Well, first off, I genuinely love playing and teaching guitar. But beyond that, I remember what it was like to be a beginner. I struggled just like everyone else. So I try to be the teacher I wish I had when I was starting out—someone who encourages you and makes learning fun, instead of making you feel like you’re not good enough.
Stefan: How did you achieve such massive success on YouTube? Do you think it was due to a natural knack for teaching through video, or was it the result of a lot of hard work?
Marty: It was definitely a combination of passion, persistence, and timing. I started making YouTube lessons when online guitar content wasn’t as common, and I just kept at it. I always try to make lessons approachable and fun, and I think people connected with that. But it was definitely a grind—years of making videos, figuring out what works, and staying consistent.
Stefan: How do you adapt your teaching style for adult learners, especially those who may feel self-conscious about starting later in life?
Marty: I remind them that learning guitar isn’t about being perfect—it’s about having fun and making progress. I also emphasize the idea that everyone was a beginner at some point, even the greatest guitarists. No one picks up a guitar and plays perfectly on day one. It’s about taking small steps and celebrating the little wins.
Stefan: What are some effective practice routines or habits you recommend for guitar learners who want to make steady progress in their guitar playing?
Marty:
- Daily practice (even just 5 minutes)
- Slow it down—play things at half speed to build muscle memory
- Learn songs you love so you stay motivated
- Play along with backing tracks to develop timing and feel
- Watch Marty Music! (shameless plug!)
Stefan: What are the unique challenges adults face when learning guitar, and how can they overcome these challenges to stay motivated?
Marty: Adults tend to be more impatient—they want results now. The trick is to focus on small wins. Instead of saying, “I want to be amazing at guitar,” say, “I want to play three songs this month.” Small, achievable goals keep you motivated.
Stefan: How important is mindset when it comes to learning the guitar, and how do you help students maintain a positive outlook?
Marty: Mindset is everything. If you believe you can’t do it, you’re right. But if you tell yourself, “I’m just going to focus on enjoying the process,” then you’ll stick with it. I always remind students that progress isn’t linear—you’ll have ups and downs, but as long as you keep playing, you’re improving.
Stefan: As someone who teaches people across various skill levels, how do you keep your students engaged, especially when they hit learning plateaus?
Marty: Try something new—learn a new song, experiment with a different style, or focus on a new technique. Sometimes, just switching it up can reignite your motivation.
Stefan: Can you share an example of how a beginner student succeeded with your method, and what specifically helped them overcome the challenges they faced?
Marty: Oh yeah! I had a student who struggled with basic chords but was really passionate about rock music. So instead of forcing open chords, we started with power chords. Once they got comfortable with that, they gained confidence and were able to transition into full open chords.
Stefan: How do you encourage adults who feel they need to be ‘perfect’ or progress quickly, and what’s your advice on embracing the learning process?
Marty: I always say, “Perfect is the enemy of progress.” No one plays perfectly all the time—not even the pros. Focus on small improvements, not perfection.
Stefan: Many of our adult students have other musical interests beyond guitar. How can learning guitar enhance their broader musical understanding?
Marty: Guitar helps you understand rhythm, melody, and harmony in a hands-on way. It makes music theory more practical, and if they play other instruments, they’ll notice improvements in those areas too.
Stefan: What role do you think community and peer support play in the success of adult learners, and how do you foster that in your online lessons?
Marty: Oh man, community is huge when learning guitar—especially for adults. I always say that learning guitar isn’t just about practicing alone in a room; it’s about feeling connected to something bigger.
There’s this idea of tribal learning, where we naturally learn better when we’re surrounded by others on the same journey. That’s why people used to sit around campfires passing down songs, and why jam sessions are so powerful.
I always try to foster that in my lessons by encouraging people to engage—whether it’s through comments, social media, or even just playing along with my videos and feeling like we’re jamming together.
Stefan: How do you envision the role of YouTube and online platforms in shaping the future of adult music education?
Marty: I think online learning is only going to get bigger. The flexibility to learn at your own pace without pressure is a game-changer, especially for adults.
Stefan: For adult learners who are balancing jobs, family, and other responsibilities, how can they maintain the discipline and passion needed to keep progressing with guitar?
Marty: Make it a habit. Set a specific time each day—even if it’s just five minutes. And always have your guitar somewhere visible so you’re reminded to pick it up.
Stefan: What is your ultimate goal for the future, and what do you hope to achieve in your successful guitar teaching and playing career over the next 20 years?
Marty: My ultimate goal is simple—I just want to keep inspiring people to play guitar and make music a lifelong joy. Whether it’s through YouTube, courses, or new projects, I want to reach as many people as possible and help them break through the barriers that hold them back.
At Marty Music, I try to keep my lessons fun to help guitar players build confidence and enjoy making music for life. If I can keep doing that for the next 20 years and beyond, I’ll consider it a success!
If you want to see what I’m all about for yourself, get started for free here: https://www.martymusic.com/free-courses.
