My Thoughts On TrueFire's Guitar Lessons (As An Intermediate Player)

Like many of you, I started out in my teens, learning from a teacher, books, and DVDs. How things have changed 🙂

I play guitar as a hobby, and have basically been stuck at the upper-intermediate level for decades. I tried other means of advancing, which didn't work out that well for me.

Finally, after all this time, I decided to give TrueFire a try to help me break out of my multi-decade rut. That was about a year ago.

So in this review, I want to share my experiences with TrueFire as an intermediate player, and whether it's worth investing in for guitarists looking to take their playing to the next level. And I'm not just talking about investing money, but rather your time, as I think it's much more valuable than the $12 you end up paying per month.

Now, I'll be upfront - TrueFire isn't perfect, and it may not be the best fit for everyone. But for me, it's been a valuable tool on my renewed guitar journey. 

First Impressions of TrueFire

When I first logged into TrueFire, I remember I was excited, but honestly a bit overwhelmed. There's just so much content - over 75,000 lessons!?! How?

As someone who was already intermediate level, I wasn't sure where to start.

The site doesn't hold your hand or give you a clear linear path, it can't even be done with this much content. You kind of have to dig in and explore on your own. Some people might like that freedom, but I would have appreciated a bit more guidance, especially in the beginning.

• Navigating the massive lesson library was a bit clunky at first. The search function works well if you know exactly what you're looking for, but browsing is trickier. I had to click around quite a bit to figure out how the courses were structured and what content was most relevant to me.
• One thing that impressed me right away though was the caliber of instructors. You've got big names like Steve Vai, Tommy Emmanuel, Larry Carlton - it's pretty amazing to learn from those legendary players, even if it's not in person.
• The video quality is top-notch and the multi-angle shots are helpful for seeing the instructor's technique up close.
• Having the synced tab and notation is great too, though I'm personally more of a visual/aural learner. I guess that's because that is how I learned originally.

After poking around for a while, I started to get the hang of the site's organization. I appreciated how you could sort lessons by style, instructor, difficulty, etc.

And once I found a few funk courses that aligned with my interests and skill level, I was able to dig in and start making real progress.

Overall, my first impression was that TrueFire is an incredibly deep resource, but not the most user-friendly platform, especially compared to some of the more modern "app-like" lesson sites.

It takes some patience to unlock its full potential. But for intermediate to advanced players who are willing to put in the time, the payoff is huge.

Lesson Quality and Effectiveness

Alright, let's talk about the meat and potatoes of TrueFire - the lessons themselves.The instructors on TrueFire are the real deal. These are seasoned pros with decades of experience, and it shows in their teaching. They break down complex concepts in a way that's easy to grasp, even for intermediate players like myself.

One of my favorite courses has been "Slow Blues Power" with Andy Aledort. I've always loved the blues, but I struggled with making my solos sound authentic and soulful. Andy's lessons on phrasing, note choice, and expression were game-changers for my playing. Just the thing needed to get me moving past my rut. He doesn't just show you the licks, he explains the "why" behind them.

This must be an older course, as it doesn't seem HD, but who cares?! The material taught is great. There are a lot of these older lessons where the video quality is not that great, but I don't really mind. They integrated the videos from Jamplay, which also added a lot of older lessons. Thank God the techniques are ever-green 😉

Now back to the lessons, so there is a common thread I've noticed across many TrueFire lessons - the instructors go beyond just teaching you how to play something, they dive into the underlying music theory and creative strategies. It's not just about memorizing tabs, it's about understanding the music on a deeper level. Which is just what intermediate+ players need I think.Now, the lesson structure can vary quite a bit depending on the course and instructor.

Some are very systematic, with progressive exercises and play-alongs. Others are more freeform, like an in-depth analysis of a particular song or style. Personally, I appreciate the variety - it keeps things engaging and caters to different learning preferences. But granted, out of the thousands of courses, some are better than others. There's a ton of beginner content on TrueFire, which is for if you're just starting out. I don't have any experience with these lessons per se, but I read on theguitarlesson's review of truefire that it's not the best for beginners because of content overload, which I can understand. 

They organize the beginner lessons into genre paths for:

• blues
• acoustic
• jazz
• rock
• country
• bass

I didn't really follow any of the paths, even though you can join in at later stages as they get more and more advanced. But they seemed so long, that I just picked individual courses instead.

That being said, over the past few months, I've definitely seen a noticeable improvement in my playing thanks to TrueFire. I've tackled new techniques like hybrid picking and slide guitar, and I've deepened my understanding of music theory. The lessons have pushed me out of my comfort zone in a really positive way.Of course, you get out what you put in. YOU have to put in the practice time. There's no magic pill, but if you're willing to work, TrueFire provides an incredible wealth of knowledge and inspiration to draw from.

In The Jams

One of the coolest features for me, and I think for other intermediate-advanced players as well, is their "In The Jam" series.

"In The Jam" essentially lets you play along with pre-recorded, multi-track video jams featuring some of the world's top guitarists. We're talking Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Joe Bonamassa, and Eric Johnson (one of my all time favorite players).

Here's how it works:

1. Each "In The Jam" pack includes 10 tracks
2. The magic is in the player controls. You can isolate or mute every single instrument in the band (video and audio), so you can choose to play along with the full band, or mute the lead guitar and take the solos yourself.
3. The video aspect is also super helpful. Seeing the artist's hands up close as they solo gives great insight into their technique and note choice. You can switch between different camera angles too, focusing on whatever instrument you want to study.
4. There is always a commentary bit, where the musicians talk about what is going on during the song, giving insight into their thoughts and techniques.
5. You can slow the tracks down to learn tricky parts.

I don't know about you, but I don't always have world class musicians to jam with 🙂

But this is probably the next best thing.

Now, the "In The Jam" packs are sold separately from the main TrueFire all-access subscription, and they're not cheap at $30 each...

I wish there was a bit more variety in the styles covered, the packs tend to skew towards blues and rock. I'm into funk nowadays...

Good and Bad Features of TrueFire

Here are my favorite learning features from the site:

• First off, the interactive tablature and notation are cool. You can slow down or loop any section of the lesson, which is incredibly helpful when you're trying to nail a tricky lick or chord progression. The synced tab follows along with the video, so you can see exactly what's being played in real-time.
• As someone who learns a lot by ear, I also really appreciate the jam tracks and practice tools. Many lessons come with backing tracks at various tempos, so you can practice your new skills in a musical context.
• One feature I was initially excited about but found myself using less than expected was the multi-angle video. Don't get me wrong, it's cool to be able to see the instructor's hands from different views. But in practice, I found that I mostly stuck with the main camera angle and only occasionally switched to the others. But I can see how this might be useful for some.
• I really appreciate that TrueFire offers lessons in so many different styles. Whether you're into blues, jazz, metal, or fingerstyle, there's in-depth courses to help you progress. The diversity of content keeps things fresh and engaging.

So as much as I enjoy TrueFire, it's not perfect. There are a few things that can be frustrating, especially when you're first starting out on the platform.

• One of the biggest issues is just the sheer amount of content. When I first logged in, I was like, "Whoa, where do I even begin?" It's great to have so many options, but it can also be paralyzing because you don't know what to start with, and I didn't want to waste time with the wrong things. I guess as an intermediate player, I had a bit of an easier time navigating and finding courses that fit my needs. But I can imagine it being really overwhelming for a beginner.
• Another thing that's been a bit disappointing is the lack of personalized feedback. I know other sites offer this, and so does Truefire, but it's not ideal. TrueFire does offer "Private Lessons" where you can exchange video recordings with an instructor for $39, but it's not the same as having a real-time conversation. And to be honest, the price of the private lessons is pretty steep compared to the regular subscription. I mean that is the price of a normal private lesson... so it's not something I've been able to justify. I also read somewhere that guitartricks.com has this included for free.
• The community features are also a bit lackluster in my opinion. The Facebook page is not active at all. They have a discord server, but it's not super active either. I've posted a few questions and sometimes it takes a while to get a response, if I get one at all. It's not the same level of interaction and accountability you'd get from an in-person group class or a really tight-knit online community like the on justinguitar has.
• Lastly, while the lesson quality is generally high, it can be inconsistent. With so many instructors, each with their own style and approach, you're bound to gel with some more than others. There have been a few courses where I felt like the instructor glossed over important concepts or didn't break things down enough, so I wasn't able to see the big picture.

All that said, I still think TrueFire is an amazing resource. The pros definitely outweigh the cons for me. But I think it's important to be realistic about what the platform can and can't provide.

Comparing TrueFire to Other Options

When I first started learning guitar, I went the traditional route of in-person lessons. And while I made some progress, I found it hard to justify the cost and time commitment as an adult with a busy schedule.

That's what initially drew me to online lessons.

1. Before TrueFire, I had a year membership with GuitarTricks. Their beginner courses looked great, but at the intermediate level, I felt like I was outgrowing the content. They had a lot of great song lessons, but I wanted to dive into more theory. That's where TrueFire really shines in comparison. The sheer depth and variety of their lesson library is unmatched.
2. I've also experimented with some of the newer sites and apps like Fender Play and Yousician. Fender Play is not great, I didn't continue after my free trial. It is for beginners, and the song lessons they had were not complete, dare I say, superficial compared to Truefire or GuitarTricks.
3. I didn't like Yousician, too much of a hassle using the app and not enough learning.
4. Of course, we can't forget about YouTube. There's a wealth of free guitar lessons available, and I definitely supplement my TrueFire learning with YouTube tutorials. But the quality is hit-or-miss, and it lacks the structure and progression that a real lesson site has.

Ultimately, I think TrueFire is one of the best options out there for intermediate, and especially advanced players who are serious about improving their skills. It may not be as flashy as some of the newer apps, but the depth and quality of the content is hard to beat.

That said, it's not necessarily a replacement for in-person lessons. There's still value in the immediate feedback and personalized guidance you get from a good teacher. Ideally, I think a combination of TrueFire and occasional in-person lessons or workshops could be a powerful learning approach.

I also wanted to show who I think would get the most out of truefire:

Skill Level	Pros	Cons
Beginners	- Good selection of foundational courses - "Learning Path" series covers basics	- Content is less streamlined than other platforms - May benefit from a more guided approach - Too much content
Intermediate/Advanced	- Vast array of courses to refine technique and explore styles - Allows deep dive into niche interests - High-profile instructors offer insightful courses	- Lesson quality and teaching style can vary between instructors - Some complex concepts may not be broken down enough

Tips for Getting the Most Out of TrueFire

If you're considering investing your time in TrueFire, or if you've already taken the plunge, here are a few tips that have helped me. I got these from my own experience, and also other websites:

1. Set clear goals: Before diving into the vast library of lessons, take some time to think about what you want to achieve with your guitar playing. Do you want to master a specific technique? Learn a new style? Write your own songs? Having clear goals will help you choose the right courses and stay motivated.
2. Create a practice schedule: Consistency is key when it comes to making progress on the guitar. Set aside dedicated practice time each day or week, and treat your TrueFire lessons like you would an in-person class. It's easy to let online learning fall by the wayside, so hold yourself accountable. Otherwise, you're paying for a membership you don't use (like that gym membership I've been planning on using every Monday for the last 2 years).
3. Join a community: Even though Truefire doesn't have an active community, find one where you live, or join one online. Asking questions, sharing your progress, and connecting with others gives you great insight, and you might even find a practice buddy or create a garage band.
4. Take advantage of the learning tools: TrueFire offers a lot of great features like interactive tab, slow-motion, and loop controls. These can be incredibly helpful when you're trying to nail a tricky passage or memorize a new lick. Don't be afraid to pause, rewind, and repeat sections as needed.
5. Take your time: This is an important one that is easy to miss. Don't skip to the next lesson before actually learning the prior. Take your time, make it yours, and you'll have it for life.
6. Apply your new skills: As you progress through your TrueFire courses, make sure you're taking the time to apply what you've learned. Jam along with the backing tracks and other guitar players if you can, try writing your own solos, or record yourself playing. The more you can make the lessons "real", the more motivated you'll be to continue learning.

Learning guitar with TrueFire has been rewarding for me, but it does require dedication and self-discipline. So if you like what you hear, go for it.

They always have a free trial to get started with here.