Best Online Guitar Lessons: Top 10 Platforms for 2024
There used to be a time when you had to pay hefty tuition fees and have a longer schedule just to learn guitar.
Those days are gone! Now, the world of music is more accessible than ever. Can you believe that you can now learn to strum your favorite tune at home? Yes, at home!
Multiple online guitar learning platforms will cater to your skill level and musical taste.
Our guide will help you find not one but ten of the best online guitar learning platforms. We will analyze their strengths and teaching expertise for various learning styles so you don’t have to. Whether you’re a newbie or an expert, get prepared to enhance your skills with us.
Key Takeaways: Best Online Guitar Lessons
- Zager Guitar Lessons excels in providing simplified learning experiences for all levels.
- Platforms like Guitar Tricks and JustinGuitar create structured learning paths for beginners.
- TrueFire and ArtistWorks cater to intermediate and advanced players seeking specialized instruction.
- Yousician and Rocksmith+ bring something unique with a gamified approach.
- Fender Play focuses on popular songs and their gear.
- JamPlay is for improvisations.
Students who completed their online courses reported a significant improvement in their playing skills, with over 80% seeing positive results. (Source: Breakthroughguitars)
Criteria for Selecting the Best Online Guitar Lessons
The list above outlines six key factors so that you can make informed decisions. These factors will help you determine which online guitar platform is suitable for you.
- Skill Level
You should choose a platform that can cater to your current guitar proficiency. Go for the platforms that have:
- Beginner-friendly content that offers clear explanations, the basic technique you can start with, and a gradual learning curve.
- Intermediate challenges will teach you advanced chord progressions, learn lead guitar techniques, and introduce yourself to music theory.
- Advanced mastery opens opportunities for exploring specific genres, making improvisation, and getting firsthand practice for songwriting.
- Content Quality
How can you even learn if you don’t understand how the platforms structure their international material for effective learning? Therefore, consider these.
- Structured lessons to logically progress on guitar topics to build your basic foundation.
- High-quality visuals and clear audio ensure that you can understand every aspect of the course and don’t miss out on anything.
- Giving you learning material to exercise, tabs, and sheet music to practice at home.
- Teaching Method
Not every platform will suit your learning style. Since different learning styles suit different approaches, so evaluate the platform based on these:
- Live classes allow real-time interaction with instructors and classmates.
- Pre-recorded videos are also available for self-paced learning.
- Interactive learning tools to engage you with exercise by participating in quizzes.
- Instructor Expertise
Without a qualified instructor, you can’t go any further. You will need clear guidance to ensure that you look for the following:
- Instructor who has a good performance profile and teaching experience.
- He should be able to explain complex concepts in understandable terms.
- Passionate instruction helps inspire and motivate students.
- Community and Support
It is 100 times better if you get to learn in a supportive learning environment. It will also significantly impact your progress. Look for:
- A sense of community and encouragement from fellow learners.
- Getting personalized guidance and motivation from the instructor.
- Cost and Subscription Options
Your budget will also play a vital role in your choice of platforms. Consider:
- Pricing model that has monthly, annual, and lifetime subscriptions.
- Opportunity to sign up for a free trial before committing.
- Consider the overall packages to determine the value for money.
By carefully considering these criteria, you can select an online guitar platform that best suits your learning style, goals, and budget. In the next section, we’ll go over specific platforms and how they match up against these benchmarks.
Looking for the best acoustic-electric guitars under $1000? We’ve got you covered. Check out our top 10 picks, handpicked by Zager, for the perfect blend of quality and value. Find your next go-to guitar without breaking the bank!
Detailed Reviews of the Top 10 Online Guitar Lesson Platforms
[Source: Breakthroughguitar]
Platform 1: Zager Guitar Lesson
Denny Zager, the founder of Zager Guitar, has devoted himself to teaching guitar since 1969. His unique approach to teaching is still an example for many.
He has created this extensive guitar learning library where everyone can access the Play By Ear method. In 2015, he is set to expand his library to over 150 hours of streaming lessons, featuring over 10,000 Easy Play tabs and hundreds of his patented guitar arrangements.
This will make it the largest guitar lesson library in the world.
Key Features:
- Over 1700 fully illustrated EZ-Play guitars
- Song arrangement video packages
- Guitar set-up, tuning, and adjustment videos
- Personalised support and community interaction
- Lifetime membership to the Zager chord library
Who It’s Best For: Zager lessons are best for beginners and intermediate players. If you are one of them, you will need straightforward practice. Zager online platforms have an effective learning method for that.
Pros:
- It is a simple way to teach
- Strong focus on practical playing
- Support from the Zager team
- Emphasis on enjoyment and musical expression
Cons:
- It might be less suitable for advanced players seeking complex techniques.
Platform 2: Guitar Tricks
Guitar Tricks is a well-established platform with a lesson library of 11,000. They offer easy and fun lessons for players of all levels.
Since 1998, Guitar Tricks has been trying its best to provide easy-to-follow lessons that slowly improve players’ skills.
Key Features:
- Understandable lesson library covering various genres and skill levels
- Interactive videos to teach chord and tuner
- Video lessons with clear demonstrations and multiple camera angles
- Backing tracks for practicing and jamming
Who It’s Best For: This is another platform for beginners and intermediate players. On this platform, you will learn structured lesson content and a wide range of song tutorials.
Pros:
- A vast content library to teach from
- User-friendly learning environment
- Keep intense concentration on practical session
Cons:
- Video qualities may vary across instructors
- Some users might found uncomfortable due to the sheer volume of content
Platform 3: JustinGuitar
Another platform that offers free online lessons to worldwide guitar players. JustinGuitar offers 1,300 free videos, which is really impressive. Because of its comprehensive approach to guitar learning, JustinGuitar has a massive following.
Key Features:
- Thousands of free lessons covering a wide range of topics and guitar
- Well-structured lesson content for beginners
- Tutorial on different songs
- Active online community
Who It’s Best For: JustinGuitar is the go-to place for players who want both free and flexible learning options. If you are a beginner, they are best at teaching the basics.
Pros:
- A large amount of free contents
- Put more focus on practical learning
- Supportive online community for sharing doubts and opinions
Cons:
- Lack of personalized feedback
- Video quality sometimes gets unsteady
Platform 4: Fender Play
The iconic brand Fender runs Fender Play. It has 3000+ lessons that provide a better learning experience than others. With the help of its expert instructors, you will learn to cover many songs at home.
Key Features:
- Focus on popular songs and artist-specific lessons
- Step-by-step tutorials with clear instructions
- Learning how to use Fender guitar and gears
- Interactive exercises and challenges
Who It’s Best For: From beginners to experienced players, all kinds of players can take lessons to learn popular songs. You can also associate yourself with the Fender brand.
Pros:
- More concentration on practical applications
- High-quality production values
- In-depth knowledge of the Fender ecosystem
Cons:
- The content library might be less impressive compared to other competitors.
- There is a lack of exploration in less popular genres.
Platform 5: TrueFire
TrueFire is one of the popular online guitar platforms. They are using top educators to teach players who want to learn guitar. Not only does TrueFire offer in-depth knowledge about the instruments, but it also presents specialized courses for individuals.
Key Features:
- A library full of video lessons on various styles and techniques
- Expert instructors with successful musical achievements
- Interactive exercise and practices
- Community forums for discussion and feedback
Who It’s Best For: They are best for intermediate and advanced guitarists. The reason is that they offer specialized courses in a particular style to refine advanced players’ skills.
Pros:
- Deep knowledge of specific guitar genres
- Scope of learning from renowned musicians
- An active and engaged community
Cons:
- Beginners might feel overwhelmed by the content
- Focus only on advanced learning might limit the appeal to some
Platform 6: JamPlay
JamPlay also has a valuable library of lessons that only focus on improvisation and jamming. With over 15,000+ courses and 20+ music genres, JamPlay is doing quite well in the scene. They accrued a good place as an online guitar platform.
Key Features:
- Multi-angle video lesson for clear demonstration
- Focus on real-world playing scenarios
- Slow-motion videos to match the ideal speed
Who It’s Best For: If you are an intermediate player or already have mastered advanced techniques, JamPlay will help you improve your jamming skills.
Pros:
- Interactive learning environment
- Free 14 days of trials
Cons:
- It might lack comprehensive beginner-level content.
Platform 7: Yousician
Yousicions is an app. Yes, it might sound unusual, but you can download this platform on your smartphone anytime. It is a learning app that gives real-time feedback through your phone’s microphone.
Key Features:
- 1000+ songs to practice on
- Offers ear training and music theory
- Available for multiple instruments
- Accessible in both ios and Android
Who It’s Best For: They are a very beginner-friendly platform. You can take their courses regardless of your skill level.
Pros:
- An engaging and fun learning approach
- Suitable for multiple instruments
Cons:
- It restricts in-depth lessons compared to other dedicated guitar platforms
- Reliance on phone microphone might limit accuracy
Ready to master the guitar? Check out our review and comparison of the 5 best guitar learning apps. Find the perfect app to help you learn, practice, and play like a pro!
Platform 8: Guitar Instructor
Guitar Instructo provides a mix of free and premium lessons. Whatever your skill level and playing style, they have every kind of lesson to guide you.
Key Features:
- Combination of free and paid content
- Structured learning paths for different skill levels
- More than thousands of video lessons and tabs
Who It’s Best For: As they provide lessons for every type of player, you can choose them based on their free and paid content options.
Pros:
- Accessible pricing with free content
- Supportive online community
- A diverse range of resources
Cons:
- The quality of free content might not please everyone
- The user interface might not be as polished as other competitors.
Platform 9: Rocksmith+
This one is uncommon. Rocksmith+ is a music video game that teaches guitar through real-time gameplay. It is a subscription-based app that is still well-recognized for being a guitar instructor.
Key Features:
- Fun and engaging gameplay
- Real instrument input
- Online multiplayer
- Downloadable content
Who It’s Best For: This platform is open to beginners and intermediate-level students who enjoy gaming and want a fun and engaging learning experience.
Pros:
- Immersive learning experience
- Real-time feedback
Cons:
- It can be boring and feels unreliable for some players.
Platform 10: ArtistWorks
ArtistWorks shows online music classes with well-known artists. Their music library wraps everything from fundamentals to advanced techniques, with essential learning strategies at every step.
Key Features:
- One-on-one video lesson with expert musicians
- Video exchange platforms
- Course for various instruments
Who It’s Best For: Intermediate and advanced players trying to learn from top-tier artists and needing personalized instructions.
Pros:
- Personalized content and feedback
- Opputinuty to connect with other musicians
Cons:
- This platform is quite expensive
- It requires a strong communication
- Not suitable for beginners
Comparison Table
How to Use the Table?
- Consider your skill level, then find one of these platforms that fits your needs.
- Evaluate your budget and choose a platform with a pricing model that suits you.
- Go for features that align with your learning style and interests.
- Read our platform review, which is provided above, for a more detailed analysis.
How to Choose the Right Online Guitar Lesson Platform for You?
- Assess Your Skill
First, you will have to determine your skill level accurately before you start looking for the right platforms. Here is a basic breakdown:
- Beginners: They can play basic chords and strumming patterns.
- Intermediate: These players can play various chords, scales, and simple solos.
- Advanced: They have strong technical skills, can improvise, and understand music theory.
- Define Your Goals
Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your guitar playing. Your aim will influence your platform choice. Consider these examples:
- Learn-specific songs: Platforms with song tutorials are ideal.
- Improve techniques: Platform with focused techniques lesson.
- Master a genre: Platform with specialized genre.
- Consider Your Learning Style
Every player has their own way of understanding. So, identify which way you prefer learning style:
- Visual learner: Learn quickly from clear demonstrations and diagrams.
- Auditory learners: Like to watch explanations and musical examples.
- Kinesthetic learner: Lear best by doing and practicing.
- Budget Considerations
Online guitar platforms vary in price. Consider these factors:
- Free platform: This platform offers basic lessons but might lack depth.
- Subscription-based platforms: You will get more comprehensive content but require ongoing payment,
- One-time purchase platforms: They provide complete courses but limited updates.
Benefits of Online Guitar Lessons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Consider these four things to choose the right online guitar lesson platform:
1. Skill levels
2. Learning goals
3. Budget
4. Preferred teaching style
Absolutely, there are no doubts! So many platforms offer beginner-friendly guitar learning content and exercise.
Online lessons can be equally effective as physical classes. These online platforms provide flexibility, access to diverse instructors, and in-depth learning.
You can take your guitar, computer, or phone, a good internet connection, and ideally headphones for clear audio.
Prices vary widely when it comes to online guitar lessons. Some offer a free course, and others charge monthly or annual payments.
Yes, once you enroll in an online platform, you will receive feedback through video submissions, live classes, or personal chats.
It depends on how fast you learn. Regular practice and consistency are necessary to see the desired progress.
Time To Wrap Up!
So, what do you think? We tried to guide you through the world of online guitar lessons. All ten platforms have flexibility, expert instructors, and a long list of learning materials that will help you shape your skills. Shout out to Zager Guitar Lessons for being open to all skill levels and fitting into the budget for any learning style.
