absolutelyunderstandguitar.com

What It Is

Absolutely Understand Guitar (AUG) is a systematic guitar video course taught by Scotty West. According to the website, the course has been available online for many years, and all 32 hours of video content are now free to watch on its YouTube channel. There is also a 125-page official course handbook and supporting materials available as a downloadable package for $19.95. Rather than a fragmented tutorial that simply teaches a few songs, the course is positioned as a comprehensive program covering applied music theory for guitar, technique, and ear training.

Core Content and Format

The course consists of 32 videos, each about one hour long, and emphasizes that they should be watched in order so the concepts can build progressively. The content covers guitar technique, chord and scale fingerings, ear training, performance and practice advice, as well as applications in improvisation, songwriting, and popular music styles. The videos use multiple camera angles, close-ups of fingerings, and large visual diagrams, making them suitable for visual learners. The supporting materials include the official handbook, fingering charts, a music slide rule, fretboard diagrams, and a left-handed version is also mentioned.

Instructor and Pricing

Scotty West’s background is one of the course’s major selling points. The text states that he has 55 years of playing experience and 35 years of teaching experience, holds a BFA from the University of Hartford, and studied at the Hartt School of Music. There is also an endorsement of his teaching approach from an associate professor at Berklee College of Music. In terms of pricing, the core videos are free, and the main paid item is the $19.95 handbook download, making the overall value very strong.

Pros and Cons

The strengths are its complete structure, free access, and emphasis on music theory and fretboard logic. It is especially suitable for users who want to move beyond rote memorization of fingerings and learn ear training and improvisation. The course is also applicable to both electric and acoustic guitar, as well as a variety of popular music styles. Its limitations are that there does not appear to be any formal accreditation or certificate, nor does it offer homework feedback, a community, live Q&A, or other support commonly found in modern online courses. The website and course presentation are also relatively traditional.

Who It’s For and Access from China

It is suitable for beginners who want to build a solid foundation, as well as intermediate players who have been self-taught for years but have clear gaps in music theory. If your goal is exam certification, Chinese-language instruction, or highly interactive coaching, it may not be the best match. Since the core videos are hosted on YouTube, users in mainland China will usually need a proxy to access them. Purchasing the handbook and accessing the website itself may also be affected by the local network environment.