Why I don’t make Play Along Videos and Use Context Lessons Instead

ByBradford Werner
2025

In this video I discuss the reason why I don’t make ‘play along’ videos but make context lessons instead. This is a question I get asked all the time online. You’ve all seen play-along videos, they show the score and where to put your fingers for each measure of the piece. They don’t have much value to me or my students, especially in regards to long term development. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being critical of along-along videos, some people love them, they just don’t hold the same educational value to my students. This comes via my YouTube channel.

➔ Need a curriculum to follow? See my Curriculum Page.

➔ You can start with my free beginner method.

➔ How to create a balanced practice sessions.

Topics in this Video

00:00 Intro
0:51 Play-Along versus Context Lessons
2:32 The Benefits of Context Lessons
4:54 What if a student doesn’t know where to put their fingers?
6:07 What if a student doesn’t have an educational background?
7:37 Conclusion

Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers and 14 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.