Over the last year, musicians, like so many others, have had to get creative and craft alternative sources of income as live concert events and touring remain on hold. Fortunately, and maybe unsurprisingly, the public’s intrinsic craving for all things music hasn’t seemed to diminish even slightly during the pandemic. And for many, the craving has even amplified as they look for new ways to bring music into their lives—like learning to play an instrument themselves.

In a recent Washington Post article, journalist Scott Galupo met with a handful of professional guitarists, including ArtistWorks electric country guitar instructor Guthrie Trapp, to discuss how teaching guitar using modern digital tools allowed them to survive, and even thrive, during the last year, and bring music into the lives of so many interested in learning a new instrument through online music lessons.

“Teaching helped me survive covid.” Guthrie explains. “I did better in 2020 than I did in 20 years in Nashville.”

Galupo goes on to outline how the popularity of the guitar has increased in the last year, and what’s inspired so many to pick up a six-string and begin guitar lessons online.

“The profusion of world-class guitarists revealing the tricks of their craft has led to a sort of paradox: While the instrument itself has receded from the center of popular music culture, there’s never been a more auspicious time to try to be a guitarist,” Galupo explains. He goes on to state, “It doesn’t hurt, of course, that sales of guitars and other stringed instruments saw a significant spike last year as homebound consumers sought new hobbies (or revived old ones).”

Check out the full Washington Post article here to learn more!