In 2007, three self-proclaimed “web dorks” with no knowledge of guitar playing devised an online platform — JamPlay — for the musically inclined to learn how to play acoustic and electric guitar in a variety of styles.

Co-founder Kevin Wimer, 27, of Beavercreek, said it “was actually a good thing we don’t play guitar,” because it allowed the creators to focus on the technical aspects of developing a sleek-looking, user-friendly website. He, and business partners Jeff Booth of Greeley, Colo., and Chris Dawson of Akron, auditioned and hired professional talent, 50 instructors in all, to teach the classes at www.jamplay.com.

Student Kyle Richey, 24, of Troy, started paying guitar when he was 11, learning guitar tablature mostly online. When he joined JamPlay in 2009, he was attracted to the website’s easy-to-use formatting.

“JamPlay is really awesome,” he said.

Playing a Takimine acoustic guitar, Richey said the online chord chart “is very nice and it helps when you write songs.”

In the beginners’ curriculum, JamPlay equips users with the fundamentals needed to build their knowledge of the guitar, including how to properly hold the pick, speed and technique and the basics of music theory. The styles range from blues and Hawaiian slack key to country, heavy metal and bluegrass

Wimer said JamPlay first enlisted instructors through a Craigslist post, “but now dozens of guitarists want to join, so we get the cream of the crop,” from around the United States. “We have about 10 guys who are pretty substantial,” Wimer said.

Richey said he appreciates the website because it allows him to practice anywhere, anytime. He and his cousin, Brian Hendricks, 21, also of Troy, will often practice together in Richey’s home. One afternoon, they worked on perfecting the pop hits “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls and “Why Georgia?” by John Mayer.

“The beauty of our site is we have more than 500 hours of content,” Wimer said, which has attracted some 10,000 members in more than 100 countries worldwide. Wimer estimates 40 percent of his clientele hail from the United States, while 60 percent are international. The members range in age from 6 years old to 78 years old.

“There is a lot of convenience,” he added, since students don’t have to pack up their guitar, travel to an instructor or a studio, and pay what typically ranges from $20 to $30 an half-hour for a in-person lesson. JamPlay’s monthly fee is $19.95, or students can opt to pay $49.95 for a three-month plan or $139.95 for a one-year plan.

“It’s doing really well; this is now our full-time jobs,” Wimer said. JamPlay has five full-time editors and one programmer and offices in Akron and Greeley, Colo. Wimer works from his home in Beavercreek.

The lessons vary from five minutes long to one-and-a-half hour long. Wimer said when the website started, the instruction catered to beginners, but now it offers both intermediate and advanced classes.

The founders admit the in-person versus online instruction has been a constant debate among musicians, some of whom are firm believers that the quality of in-person lessons can’t be matched by the online platform.

Dawson disagrees.

“In-person lessons have certain perks, but with the increased speed of Internet connections, users are able to interact directly with our instructors via webcam for up to 12 hours per day.” The members also have access to a online forum and more than 40 new songs are added each month. All of the songs are licensed by the publishers and artists; and if members don’t see a song they want, they can request it on the online forum.

“It’s a big challenge to provide service that is as good as face-to-face instruction,” said Wimer. He added the program is designed so that many of the instructors teach similar content. But if a user doesn’t quite understand the material from one instructor, he or she can choose to view a similar lesson from another instructor. Other perks include a chord library and a scale library.

“It’s cool that they show you a white board and they will tell you notations and then you can see a closeup of their hands,” said Richey, who also bought the iPhone app for JamPlay. “You can access and stream all the lessons on your phone.”

In the future, Wimer said JamPlay hopes to offer bass guitar, piano and drum lessons. In the meantime, the business partners concentrate on their motto of mastering one thing at time.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-0671 or rmcmacken@daytondailynew.com.