Introduction
Hey, guys! Welcome to this comprehensive guide on the best beginner online guitar lessons. Learning to play the guitar is an exciting journey that opens up a whole new world of musical possibilities. With the convenience and flexibility of online lessons, aspiring guitarists can now embark on this adventure from the comfort of their own homes.
In this article, we will explore seven of the top online guitar lesson platforms that cater specifically to beginners. We will dive into the advantages and disadvantages of each, helping you make an informed decision on which option suits your learning style and goals. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
1. 🎸 Guitar Tricks
Guitar Tricks is a renowned platform that offers a vast library of video lessons suitable for beginners. With over 11,000 lessons taught by expert instructors, this platform provides a comprehensive curriculum to kick-start your guitar journey. The lessons cover various styles and techniques, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.
Advantages of Guitar Tricks:
1. 🎯 Structured learning path: Guitar Tricks offers a step-by-step curriculum, guiding beginners through a logical progression of skills.
2. 📚 Extensive lesson library: With thousands of lessons, you’ll never run out of material to learn and practice.
3. 🔎 Skill-specific lessons: Guitar Tricks provides specialized lessons on specific techniques, allowing learners to focus on areas they want to improve.
4. 💡 Video quality: The high-quality videos ensure a visually engaging and easy-to-follow learning experience.
5. 💬 Active community forum: Guitar Tricks boasts a vibrant community where learners can connect and seek advice from fellow guitar enthusiasts.
6. 📱 Mobile app availability: The Guitar Tricks mobile app allows you to access lessons on the go, giving you the flexibility to practice anytime, anywhere.
7. 💲 Affordable pricing: With competitive pricing plans, Guitar Tricks offers excellent value for the vast amount of content available.
Disadvantages of Guitar Tricks:
1. ⏳ Limited focus on music theory: While the lessons cover practical guitar skills extensively, the platform doesn’t delve deep into music theory.
2. 🏢 Lack of personalized feedback: As an online platform, Guitar Tricks cannot provide individualized feedback like an in-person instructor would.
3. 🎸 Limited genre diversity: Although Guitar Tricks covers various genres, it may not cater to niche styles or specific musical preferences.
4. 💻 Internet-dependent learning: Accessing the lessons requires a stable internet connection, which may pose challenges in certain circumstances.
5. 📅 No live lessons: Guitar Tricks focuses on pre-recorded video lessons, meaning you won’t have immediate interaction with an instructor.
6. 🎓 No certification program: If you’re seeking official certifications or credentials, Guitar Tricks does not offer such options.
7. 🇺🇸 US-centric content: The majority of Guitar Tricks’ instructors and lessons are based on American music and styles, which may not suit every learner’s preferences.
2. 🎸 Fender Play
Fender Play is an online guitar learning platform offered by the legendary guitar manufacturer, Fender. It aims to provide a highly accessible and user-friendly learning experience for beginners. Fender Play covers various musical styles and is structured to help learners quickly start playing their favorite songs.
Advantages of Fender Play:
1. 🎓 Beginner-friendly approach: Fender Play focuses solely on beginner lessons, ensuring that learners are not overwhelmed by complex concepts.
2. 🎵 Song-based learning: The platform emphasizes learning through popular songs, making the process more enjoyable and engaging.
3. 🌟 Easy-to-navigate interface: Fender Play’s user-friendly interface allows beginners to navigate lessons effortlessly.
4. 📱 Mobile app availability: With the Fender Play mobile app, you can access lessons conveniently on your smartphone or tablet.
5. 🎸 Song selection customization: Fender Play allows learners to choose their preferred musical genres, tailoring the lesson content accordingly.
6. 📚 Supplemental learning materials: The platform provides helpful resources such as chord charts and tablature to enhance the learning experience.
7. 💲 Affordable pricing options: Fender Play offers flexible subscription plans at competitive prices.
Disadvantages of Fender Play:
1. ⏰ Limited advanced content: Fender Play is primarily designed for beginners, so once you advance beyond the initial stages, you may need to switch to another platform.
2. ⚡ Lack of music theory focus: The lessons focus more on practical guitar playing rather than delving into in-depth music theory.
3. 👥 Limited instructor interaction: Unlike in-person lessons, Fender Play lacks direct instructor feedback and personalized guidance.
4. 📅 No live lessons: The platform does not offer live interactive lessons, which some learners may prefer for immediate feedback.
5. 🔎 Limited genre diversity: While Fender Play covers a range of genres, it may not have extensive lessons for niche or less mainstream styles.
6. 🇺🇸 Emphasis on western music: The majority of Fender Play’s content is based on Western music, which may not cater to all cultural musical preferences.
7. 🎓 No certification program: If you’re seeking official certifications or credentials, Fender Play does not offer such options.
3. 🎸 JustinGuitar
JustinGuitar, created by renowned guitarist and instructor Justin Sandercoe, has garnered immense popularity as a free online guitar lesson platform. It offers an extensive range of lessons suitable for beginners, covering everything from basic chords to more advanced techniques.
Advantages of JustinGuitar:
1. 💰 Free lessons: JustinGuitar provides an impressive amount of high-quality lessons without any cost, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious learners.
2. 🌍 Global accessibility: Since the lessons are available for free on the internet, aspiring guitarists worldwide can access JustinGuitar’s content.
3. 🎵 Song-based learning: The lessons focus on teaching through popular songs, making the learning process enjoyable and motivating.
4. 🌟 Comprehensive beginner’s course: JustinGuitar’s Beginner’s Course covers all the essential skills and knowledge needed to start playing the guitar.
5. 💡 Clear and engaging teaching style: Justin Sandercoe’s teaching approach is highly praised for its clarity and enthusiasm, making complex techniques easier to grasp.
6. 👥 Active community support: JustinGuitar boasts a large community of learners who provide support and encouragement, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
7. 🎸 Supplementary resources: The platform offers additional resources like chord charts and practice materials to solidify your learning.
Disadvantages of JustinGuitar:
1. ⌛ Progress tracking: As a free platform, JustinGuitar does not offer progress tracking features, which may be beneficial for some learners.
2. 👥 Lack of personalized guidance: Given the vast number of learners, it is challenging for Justin Sandercoe to provide individualized feedback or answer specific questions.
3. 🎶 Limited genre diversity: While JustinGuitar covers various styles, it may not cater to niche or less mainstream genres.
4. 📅 No live lessons: The platform primarily focuses on pre-recorded videos, lacking the interactive element of live lessons.
5. 💻 Internet-dependent learning: Accessing JustinGuitar’s lessons requires a stable internet connection, which may not be available in all situations.
6. 🎓 No certification program: If you’re seeking official certifications or credentials, JustinGuitar does not offer such options.
7. ⚖️ Limited advanced content: Once you advance beyond the beginner level, you may need to explore additional resources to continue your progress.
4. 🎸 JamPlay
JamPlay is a comprehensive online guitar lesson platform that caters to learners of all skill levels, including beginners. With a diverse range of instructors and lessons, JamPlay offers an immersive learning experience covering various musical genres and styles.
Advantages of JamPlay:
1. 🔍 Wide range of instructors: JamPlay features lessons taught by a large number of experienced instructors, each bringing their unique teaching style and expertise.
2. 🌟 Structured learning paths: The platform provides well-organized learning paths suitable for beginners, allowing for a systematic progression.
3. 🔊 Live online lessons: JamPlay offers live lessons where learners can interact with instructors in real-time, providing immediate feedback and guidance.
4. 🎼 Genre-specific lessons: JamPlay covers an extensive range of genres, ensuring learners find lessons tailored to their preferred styles.
5. 📱 Mobile app availability: With the JamPlay mobile app, you can access lessons conveniently on your mobile devices, making it ideal for on-the-go learning.
6. 💡 Supplementary learning materials: The platform provides additional resources like tabs, chord charts, and scale libraries to enhance your learning.
7. 💲 Competitive pricing options: JamPlay offers flexible subscription plans with various pricing options, catering to different budget ranges.
Disadvantages of JamPlay:
1. ⌛ Overwhelming lesson library: With a vast amount of content, some learners may feel overwhelmed or struggle to find specific lessons.
2. 👥 Lack of personalized guidance: Although JamPlay offers live lessons, individualized attention may be limited due to the large number of learners.
3. 🎶 Overwhelming for absolute beginners: While JamPlay caters to beginners, it may be more suitable for those who already have some basic guitar knowledge.
4. 📅 Fixed schedule for live lessons: If the live lesson timings clash with your schedule, you may miss out on the interactive element of the platform.
5. 💻 Internet-dependent learning: Accessing JamPlay’s lessons and live sessions requires a stable internet connection.
6. 🖥️Video player interface: Some learners may find the video player interface less intuitive compared to other platforms.
7. 🎓 No certification program: If you’re seeking official certifications or credentials, JamPlay does not offer such options.
5. 🎸 Yousician
Yousician is an innovative guitar learning platform that combines interactive technology with expert instruction. It provides a gamified learning experience, making the process engaging and enjoyable for beginners. Yousician’s step-by-step lessons cater to both acoustic and electric guitar learners.
Advantages of Yousician:
1. 🕹️ Gamified learning approach: Yousician turns the learning process into a game, providing a fun and motivating experience for beginners.
2. 🎵 Interactive feedback: The platform listens to your playing and provides real-time feedback, guiding you to improve your technique.
3. 🎼 Vast song library: Yousician offers an extensive collection of songs to learn, allowing you to apply your skills to your favorite tunes.
4. 📱 Mobile app availability: Yousician’s mobile app enables you to practice and learn on the go, ensuring flexibility in your guitar learning journey.
5. 💡 Customizable learning paths: The platform adapts to your skill level, allowing you to start at your current proficiency and progress from there.
6. 👥 Community interaction: Yousician has a community feature where you can connect with fellow learners, share progress, and seek advice.
7. 🎸 Multi-instrument support: In addition to guitar, Yousician offers lessons for various other instruments, broadening your musical horizons.
Disadvantages of Yousician:
1. ⌛ Limited access for free users: The free version of Yousician offers restricted access to lessons and songs, often requiring a premium subscription for full functionality.
2. 👥 Limited personalized guidance: While Yousician provides feedback, it may not offer the same level of personalized guidance as an in-person instructor.
3. 🎓 No certification program: Yousician does not provide official certifications or credentials for learners seeking that recognition.
4. 💲 Pricing plans: Some learners may find Yousician’s subscription plans relatively more expensive compared to other platforms.
5. 🎶 Less focus on music theory: Yousician’s teaching approach is primarily focused on practical playing rather than extensive music theory.
6. 📅 No live lessons: The absence of live lessons may limit immediate interaction and feedback with an instructor.
7. 🖥️ Device limitations: Yousician’s interactive features may not work seamlessly on all devices, potentially impacting the learning experience.
6. 🎸 TrueFire
TrueFire is a well-established online guitar lesson platform that offers a vast library of video lessons for beginners and advanced players alike. With lessons taught by renowned instructors, TrueFire provides comprehensive and in-depth learning materials covering a wide range of genres and topics.
Advantages of TrueFire:
1. 🏆 High-quality instructors: TrueFire collaborates with world-class guitarists, offering lessons from seasoned professionals with years of experience.
2. 🎥 Diverse lesson formats: The platform offers a variety of lesson formats, including video lessons, interactive tablature, and backing tracks.
3. 🎸 Extensive lesson library: TrueFire boasts an extensive collection of lessons that cover various techniques, styles, and genres.
4. ⏯️ Slow-motion and multi-angle videos: TrueFire’s video lessons include slow-motion and multi-angle footage, allowing for a detailed understanding of complex techniques.
5. 🎧 Interactive learning tools: The platform provides interactive tools like loopers and practice rhythm tracks, enabling focused practice and skill development.
6. 🎵 Genre-specific learning paths: TrueFire offers genre-specific learning paths, allowing learners to explore and specialize in their preferred musical styles.
7. 👨👩👧👦 Vibrant community support: TrueFire has an active community of learners and instructors who engage in discussions and provide support.
Disadvantages of TrueFire:
1. 💲 Higher-priced lessons: TrueFire’s comprehensive lessons and renowned instructors come at a relatively higher price point compared to some other platforms.
2. 📅 No live lessons: While TrueFire offers pre-recorded video lessons, it does not provide live interactive sessions with instructors.
3. 🖥️ User interface complexity: The vastness of TrueFire’s lesson library and the complexity of their user interface may be overwhelming for some learners.
4. 👥 Less personalized guidance: As an online platform, TrueFire cannot provide the same level of individualized feedback as a private instructor.
5. 🎓 No certification program: If you’re seeking official certifications or credentials, TrueFire does not offer such options.
6. 🔎 Limited beginner-specific content: While TrueFire has lessons for beginners, some learners may find that the platform caters more to intermediate and advanced players.
7. 💻 Internet-dependent learning: Accessing TrueFire’s lessons and learning tools requires a stable internet connection.
7. 🎸 ArtistWorks
ArtistWorks stands out as an online guitar learning platform that focuses on providing personalized and individualized instruction. With a unique video-exchange learning approach, learners can submit videos for review by expert instructors, receiving personalized feedback to improve their skills.