When this site started to take off I was really encouraged by the emails I was getting from all over the globe from people that could not afford proper lessons who were loving the website. I also believe that good things travel and that maybe the good will that I offer here will spread and people will "pay it forward" and I can make a small contribution to the greater good, help make this planet a little better to live on for all of us... It became my aim to keep as much free on this website as was possible, and it's going pretty well, so far, but it does need financial support to survive.
So
I run it on an honour system. It is the only way that I can help people that can't afford lessons, people without credit cards - which in my estimates are about 1/4 of users, people on income support or the disabled. So if I started charging I would not be able to help the people I want to help, and that sucks.
If you can afford to donate then you should not consider the site free!
Unfortunately, at the moment less than 0.1% of users make a donation. I'm pretty sure that at least 50% of users would be able to donate the cost of a book or a private lesson once a year at least - and this site gives you a WHOLE lot more than that. You can try it all out for free as long as you like... and then donate and help me make more cool lessons! If you have enjoyed the site then I would really appreciate a contribution - don't leave it for everyone else... Those of you with a good job and few guitars should really put your hand in your virtual pocket ;)