Are you someone who has always wanted to learn how to play the guitar using an app but doesn't know where to start? Do you find traditional methods of learning too expensive or time-consuming? Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, learning how to play the guitar has become more accessible and convenient than ever before.
Numerous guitar apps are now available, each promising to make your guitar learning journey easy and fun. This article will explore the top 10 best apps for learning how to play the guitar and how they can help you achieve your musical dreams.
Guitar Lessons at Your Fingertips: How the Best Guitar Learning Apps Can Help You
A guitar app is an interactive mobile application designed to teach users how to play the guitar. These apps often offer lessons, instruction videos, and interactive features like progress tracking and personalized learning plans.
They can be an excellent tool for beginners just starting their guitar learning journey and for more advanced players who want to improve their skills. The best app to learn how to play the guitar can benefit anyone who wants to learn the guitar, regardless of their experience level.
With flexible schedules, convenience, and cost-effectiveness, a learn-how-to-play guitar app is an excellent choice for those looking to learn guitar in a fun and engaging way.
Master the Guitar With These 10 Top-Rated Learning Apps
Yousician
One of the best apps to learn how to play the guitar because of its comprehensive and engaging approach to teaching. Unlike other guitar learning apps, Yousician offers a gamified learning experience that keeps users motivated and invested in their progress. With features such as immediate feedback, progress tracking, and personalized lesson plans, Yousician makes learning the guitar fun and intuitive.
Platforms
Features
- Interactive lessons and exercises for guitar learners of all levels
- Customizable learning paths and personalized lesson plans
- Immediate feedback on playing accuracy and progress tracking
- Ability to practice with any acoustic, electric, or bass guitar
- A wide range of music genres and styles to learn, from classical to pop and rock
Cost
- Free version available with limited features
- A premium subscription costs $19.99 per month or $119.99 per year
- 7-day free trial available for new users
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Engaging and interactive learning experience
- Personalized lesson plans to cater to individual learning styles and goals
- Wide range of music genres and styles to choose from
- It can be used with any acoustic, electric, or bass guitar
- The free version is available for those on a tight budget
Cons
- The free version has limited features and options
- The cost of the premium subscription may be prohibitive for some users
Guitar Tricks
It offers a vast library of high-quality video lessons that cover a wide range of guitar styles and techniques. The app is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced players, and the video lessons are taught by world-class instructors who provide clear and easy-to-follow instructions.
Platforms
Features
- Over 11,000 video lessons covering all styles and techniques
- A variety of skill levels, from beginner to advanced
- Step-by-step learning approach for building skills and mastering techniques
- Interactive features such as progress tracking and personalized lesson plans
- Support for acoustic and electric guitars
Cost
- 14-day free trial available for new users
- Full access costs $19.95 per month or $179 per year
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A vast library of video lessons covering all guitar styles and techniques
- Expert instructors with clear and easy-to-follow instructions
- Interactive features for tracking progress and creating personalized lesson plans
- Affordable subscription options
Cons
- No free version is available
- The subscription fees may be prohibitive for some users.
Justin Guitar
It has a comprehensive beginner-focused curriculum and an approachable teaching style. The app offers high-quality video lessons taught by professional guitarist Justin Sandercoe, who has years of experience teaching guitar to beginners.
Justin Guitar stands out from other guitar learning apps because it offers a complete curriculum designed for beginners, with lessons on basic chords, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques.
Platforms
Features
- Beginner-focused curriculum
- Video lessons taught by a professional guitarist
- Lessons on basic chords, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques
- Practice routines and exercises
- Metronome and tuner tools
- Access to a community forum for support and feedback
Cost
It offers a free version with access to most of the content, including video lessons and practice routines. The app also offers a Premium subscription for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, which gives users access to additional features such as personalized learning plans and exclusive video content.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive beginner-focused curriculum
- High-quality video lessons taught by a professional guitarist
- Free version with access to most of the content
- Affordable Premium subscription with added features
- Access to a community forum for support and feedback
Cons
- Some users may find the teaching style too basic or slow-paced
- Limited advanced lessons for more experienced players
Fender Play
One key difference between Fender Play and other guitar learning apps is its focus on Fender guitars and the Fender brand. The app is designed to help users learn to play on Fender guitars and offers high-quality lessons from experienced instructors.
Platforms
Features
- Step-by-step lessons for acoustic and electric guitar
- Personalized lesson plans based on skill level and music preferences
- Bite-sized lessons that can be completed in as little as 10 minutes a day
- Over 5,000 classes and songs to choose from
- Detailed instruction on proper technique and posture
- Access to expert support from Fender guitar coaches
Cost
Fender Play offers a 14-day free trial, after which it costs $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year. The subscription provides unlimited access to all the lessons and features of the app.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-quality lessons from experienced instructors
- Personalized lesson plans based on skill level and music preferences
- Bite-sized lessons that can fit into any schedule
- Access to expert support from Fender guitar coaches
Cons
- Focus on Fender guitars, and the Fender brand may not be ideal for users with other types of guitars.
- Limited customization options for lesson plans
- It may not be suitable for more advanced players seeking highly specialized instruction.
Also read: The Piano Player's Secret Weapon: How to Read Sheet Music Like a Pro
Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs
It has an extensive library of songs and chords, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and advanced players. Unlike other guitar learning apps, Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs provides users with access to over 1.5 million tabs and chords and accurate transcriptions of popular songs.
Additionally, the app allows users to customize their learning experience by adjusting the tempo and tuning of each piece.
Platforms
Features
- Access to over 1.5 million tabs and chords
- Accurate transcriptions of popular songs
- Customizable learning experience
- Advanced search options for finding specific songs or artists
- Interactive lessons and tutorials
- Ability to create and save personalized chord progressions and song collections
Cost
It offers a free app version, but users can subscribe to Ultimate Guitar Pro for $9.99/month or $39.99/year to access all of its features.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive library of songs and chords
- Customizable learning experience
- Interactive lessons and tutorials
- Precise transcriptions of famous songs
- Ability to create and save personalized chord progressions and song collections
Cons
- Some features require a paid subscription
- Not as comprehensive for structured learning as some other guitar-learning apps
GuitarTuna
The app's advanced audio recognition algorithm allows it to detect and tune any type of guitar, including electric, acoustic, and classical. This makes it an excellent option for both beginners and more experienced players.
In addition, GuitarTuna provides a wide range of features that help users learn and improve their guitar-playing skills, such as chord diagrams, customizable tunings, and a metronome.
Platforms
Features
- Advanced audio recognition algorithm
- Tuner for electric, acoustic, and classical guitars
- Chord diagrams and finger placement guide
- Customizable tunings and instruments
- Metronome for rhythm training
- Games to improve ear training and chord recognition
Cost
GuitarTuna offers both a free and paid version of the app. The free version provides all the basic features, while the paid version includes additional features such as chord learning and a scale library. The paid version costs $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced audio recognition algorithm
- Versatility with different types of guitars
- Games to make learning more engaging
- Both free and paid versions are available
Cons
- Limited features in the free version
- Paid version may be expensive for some users
JamPlay
it provides comprehensive video lessons from experienced instructors, a variety of learning paths and styles to choose from, and useful features to track your progress and improve your playing skills.
Platforms
Features
- High-quality video lessons from experienced instructors
- Interactive tab and notation player
- Multiple learning paths for different playing styles and skill levels
- Live guitar lessons with instructors and fellow students
- Progress tracking system to monitor your skill development
- Access to an extensive library of songs and music genres
Cost
- JamPlay offers a monthly membership plan for $19.95 per month
- They also provide a quarterly membership plan for $49.95 and an annual membership plan for $159.95
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide variety of lessons and learning paths
- High-quality video classes
- Access to live lessons with instructors and other students
- Comprehensive progress tracking system
Cons
- The monthly subscription fee may be expensive for some users
- The user interface could be improved for more straightforward navigation
ChordBank
It delivers an extensive library of chords and scales, as well as components for practicing and understanding chords in a fun and interactive way. It is designed to be easy to use, even for beginners, and offers features that make learning guitar more engaging and enjoyable.
Platforms
Features
- Extensive chord library with over 7,000 chords and scales
- Easy-to-use interface with clear and concise diagrams
- Audio playback to hear how each chord or scale sounds
- Interactive chord exercises to help you practice and learn chords
- Custom chord and scale creation tools
- Transposition tools to change the key of a song or chord progression
Cost
It is free to download with limited features. A premium subscription costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year and offers full access to all components, including custom chord and scale creation and transposition tools.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extensive library of chords and scales
- Easy-to-use interface with clear diagrams
- Interactive chord exercises for practice and learning
- Custom chord and scale creation tools
- Transposition tools to change the key of a song or chord progression
Cons:
- Limited features with the free version
- Some users may prefer more comprehensive lesson plans and videos
TrueFire
One of the best apps to learn how to play the guitar because of its comprehensive lesson library that covers a wide range of genres and styles. The app provides a structured learning experience suitable for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
The lessons are taught by world-class instructors, making it an excellent resource for anyone who wants to improve their playing skills.
Platforms
Features
- A vast library of lessons covering a wide range of genres and styles
- Structured learning paths for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players
- Interactive video lessons with on-screen notation and tablature
- Personalized practice routines to help you improve your skills
- Tools for practicing scales, chords, and other techniques
- Community features that allow you to connect with other guitar players
Cost
- Monthly plan: $29.95 per month
- Annual plan: $199.95 per year
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-quality lessons taught by world-class instructors
- Comprehensive library covering a wide range of genres and styles
- Interactive video lessons with on-screen notation and tablature
- Personalized practice routines and tools for practising scales, chords, and other techniques
- Community features that allow you to connect with other guitar players
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to some other guitar-learning apps
- Some users have reported technical issues with the app
Rocksmith+
The app is designed to provide an immersive learning experience by utilizing real-time feedback and dynamic difficulty adjustments, which help users to progress at their own pace.
Platforms
Features
- Wide range of songs to learn and play
- Dynamic difficulty adjustments that adapt to the user's skill level
- Real-time feedback to improve accuracy and timing
- Interactive guitar tablature and chord charts
- Customizable practice routines and lessons
- In-game challenges and gamification elements
- Integration with actual guitar equipment for a more authentic experience
Cost
Rocksmith+ offers a monthly subscription plan for $14.99, a yearly subscription for $99.99, and a lifetime subscription for $299.99.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- An interactive and engaging approach to learning
- Real-time feedback helps users improve accuracy and timing
- Dynamic difficulty adjustments ensure that users progress at their own pace
- Wide range of songs and lessons available
- Customizable practice routines and lessons
- Integration with actual guitar equipment enhances the learning experience
Cons
- Requires a special cable to connect the guitar to the device
- Some users may prefer a more traditional learning approach without gamification elements
- The app may be more suitable for intermediate or advanced players than beginners.
Alternative Ways to Learn Guitar: Beyond Apps
There are various ways to learn guitar without using apps. Here are some alternative methods:
- Private guitar lessons: Taking one-on-one lessons with a professional guitar teacher can be a great way to learn guitar. A private teacher can tailor lessons to your individual needs and skill level, provide instant feedback, and help you develop good habits and techniques.
- Online guitar lessons: Online guitar lessons are becoming increasingly popular, and many websites offer video lessons from experienced guitarists. Some sites also provide personalized feedback and interaction with instructors.
- Books and instructional materials: Many guitar books and instructional materials are available, ranging from beginner's guides to advanced technique manuals. These can be an excellent resource for learning new skills and techniques and reinforcing concepts you've learned in other ways.
- Joining a guitar group or community: Many cities have guitar groups or communities that offer regular jam sessions, performances, and workshops. These can be a great way to connect with other guitar players, learn new songs, and get feedback on your playing.
- Learning from friends or family: If you have friends or family members who play the guitar, ask them to teach you some basic chords and techniques. This can be a fun and informal way to learn, and you can also benefit from their experience and feedback.
There are many ways to learn guitar; the best method will depend on your learning style and goals. Whether you prefer in-person lessons, online resources, or a combination of techniques, the key is to practice regularly and stay motivated.
How to Choose Which App is Right For You?
Here are some tips to help you choose the right app for your needs:
- Consider your skill level: Some apps are designed specifically for beginners, while others are better suited for intermediate or advanced players. Consider your current skill level and look for an app that offers lessons and resources that are appropriate for you.
- Determine your learning style: Some people learn best through video lessons, while others prefer written materials or interactive exercises. Consider your learning style and look for an app that offers content in a format that works well for you.
- Look for features that are important to you: Different apps offer different features, such as personalized lesson plans, progress tracking, or access to a community of other guitar players. Make a list of the essential parts, and look for an app that offers those features.
- Read reviews and ratings: Before committing to an app, read reviews and ratings from other users to get a sense of their experiences. Look for feedback on the quality of lessons, the app's ease of use, and the level of customer support provided.
- Try before you buy: Many apps offer free trials or introductory lessons, which can be a great way to test the app and see if it's a good fit for you. Take advantage of these opportunities to get a feel for the app before committing to a paid subscription.
By considering your skill level, learning style, and desired features and researching and trying out free trials, you can find the right app to help you learn how to play the guitar online. Remember that practice and dedication are also crucial to success, so set aside regular time to work on your skills and stay motivated.
Tips and Tricks on Getting Started With Learning Guitar from Apps
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with learning guitar from apps:
- Set specific goals: Before you begin, think about what you want to achieve with your guitar playing. Do you want to learn a particular song, improve your technique, or play in a band? Setting clear goals will help you stay motivated and focused.
- Start with the basics: Even if you have some experience with the guitar, it's essential to start with the basics when using an app. This will help you build a strong foundation and avoid developing bad habits.
- Practice regularly: Consistent approach is critical to improving your guitar skills. Try to set aside a specific time each day to practice, even if it's just for a few minutes.
- Use a metronome: A metronome helps improve your timing and rhythm. Many guitar learning apps include a built-in metronome, but you can also download a separate metronome app.
- Record yourself: Recording playing can help you identify areas that need improvement and track your progress over time. Many apps include a recording feature, or you can use a separate recording app.
- Take advantage of interactive features: Many guitar learning apps offer features such as backing tracks, chord charts, and interactive lessons. These can be a great way to make learning more engaging and fun.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you're struggling with a particular concept or technique, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Many apps have forums or online communities where you can ask questions and get advice from other guitar players.
By following these tips and tricks, you can make the most of your guitar learning app and start making progress towards your guitar-playing goals. Remember to stay patient and persistent, and don't be afraid to experiment with different apps and learning methods until you find what works best for you.
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Guitar Learning App for You
In conclusion, if you're looking to learn how to play the guitar, many apps can help you on your journey. Considering factors like the app's features, cost, and user reviews is essential before deciding. Additionally, alternative methods to learning the guitar, such as private lessons or online resources, may be a better fit for your learning style and goals.
With these tips in mind, you can choose the right app or method for you and confidently begin your guitar-playing journey. Stay patient, practice regularly, and have fun as you develop your skills and unlock your musical potential.
