This page gives details of self-study options for learning the guitar.
Learning by ear
Bill Brown's series of Music By Ear includes over 850 courses and songs taught by ear on a variety of instruments including guitar. The guitar courses include genres as diverse as Rock and Blues, Country, Folk and Bluegrass, Soft Rock, Alternative, Classical, Fingerstyle Solos, Flatpick Solos, Instructional, and EZ Solos.
You can hear samples of the lessons and order copies by visiting Bill Brown's website. Alternatively, many of the courses are available for loan from the RNIB national Library Service by contacting megan.chivers@rnib.org.uk or by telephoning 0161 429 1973.
In Touch with Guitar by Dan Jones
In Touch With Guitar is a five CD box set for Classical or Spanish guitar written with visually-impaired learners in mind, but suitable for all wanting to learn by ear rather than notation. On Dan Jones's website, you can read about his teaching philosophies, hear excerpts, order a demo disc and buy copies of the course. The course costs £45.
Learning by braille
Beginner's Guide for Guitarists by Robert Ray Hunter
This is an instructional guide in uncontracted Braille which also includes a Braille chord book with 72 chords, and CD of backing tracks and demonstrations of techniques and explanations of terminology. The book is available to purchase via WHSmiths and Amazon for £29.50, and the chord book is available separately for £18.75.
...and finally
For inspiration, you may be interested to read about two guitarists working in very different genres of music. Matthew Wadsworth is a professional baroque guitarist, theorbo and lutenist, and Scott Chesworth plays bass guitar for The Mariana Hollow.
Enjoy taking up the guitar!