Are you looking for the easiest and most affordable way to learn to play guitar online? It can be hard to find a good course and a good guitar teacher, so we’ve taken on the task of finding the best online guitar lessons for you.
Whether you want to learn Rock or Blues, Classical or Jazz, or if you just want to get started playing some songs on your own, there’ll be something in this list for you.
So, keep reading as I’m going to be walking you through some of the best places to learn guitar online in 2024.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links which means HelloMusicTheory may get a commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.
1. Guitar Tricks
The absolute winner on our list of the best guitar lessons online has to be GuitarTricks.com (free trial). If you haven’t come across it, this site is an amazing resource for guitar students arranged according to difficulty level with hundreds and hundreds of step-by-step walkthroughs.
There are lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. If you have never played guitar before and you are just starting your guitar adventure, there are Beginner guitar lessons category, where you can find lessons that can take you from the absolute basics of how to hold and tune the guitar to playing scales, chords, and full songs.
If you already have some experience, there is the Experienced Guitar Lessons category, where you will find lessons categorized into different genre courses so you can focus on your favorite style and perfect your skills. These courses will teach you chords and songs of a particular style, and also grooves, music theory, various tips and tricks, and more.
I’d recommend their “Guitar Fundamentals Course 1,” which will guide you through the fundamentals of guitar playing and teach you how to play guitar from step one. It will walk you through the basics, from how to tune the guitar to learning chords and rhythm so you can play some simple songs. It will also provide effective solutions and advice on how to overcome particular problems you might run into during your little guitar adventure.
After signing up for your desired course, you will also get access to the site’s song library, which has over a thousand songs with step-by-step tutorials that break down each song so you don’t miss a note.
Besides this, you will get the chance to work with some of the world’s best guitar players and educators who will eagerly pass on their knowledge, help you acquire all necessary practical skills, and take your playing to the next level.
But the best bit is, you can get access to all their amazing lessons without spending any money! For more information, you can read my Guitar Tricks review here or click the button below and get a free two-week trial so you can delve into all their lessons.
2. True Fire
A close second is TrueFire, another exceptional resource for online guitar lessons, where you can find tens of thousands of the highest-quality interactive lessons taught by some of the best educators in the world.
From beginner guitar lessons for those who have never held a guitar before to lessons that focus on a specific style and genre, there are lessons for all levels, all styles, and all ages.
I’d like to recommend Jeff McErlain’s Blues Rhythm Guitar for Beginners 1 course, which will help you learn your first blues chords, strumming patterns, and riffs.
The first part of this course focuses exclusively on chords, progressions, strumming patterns, riffs, and techniques that will help you build a solid foundation for playing blues rhythm guitar.
Your instructor will be the amazing Jeff McErlain, one of the most sought-after guitar teachers in the world, with years of experience teaching, performing, and recording. Jeff is straightforward and easygoing with his students. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and passing on his unique skills to his students, so you can be sure to progress and build a good foundation to take your playing to the next level.
But this course is just one of literally 50,000+ lessons. There are also courses taught by some of the greatest guitarists in the world, including Steve Vai, Pat Martino, Matt Schofield, Joe Bonamassa, and Tommy Emmanuel.
Also, we’ve managed to get an exclusive discount of $100 off the all-access pass with the coupon code ‘HelloMusicTheory100‘. Just enter it at the checkout to save!
3. Guitareo
The third spot on our list belongs to Guitareo (free trial) and its incredible step-by-step paid lessons. It is an online platform that offers a wide selection of video lessons and other resources to help you learn the guitar quickly.
The site offers lessons for everyone’s needs and skill levels, so there you can find lessons for beginners, as well as for intermediate and advanced learners.
Lessons for beginners are very simple and easy to follow. They will guide you through the basics of guitar playing and cover everything essential to equip you with the skills for the next level.
More advanced lessons will help you learn everything about music theory, train your ear and allow you to play your favorite songs.
Besides this, Guitareo offers courses in particular genres for learning hundreds of songs in five days, guitar method lessons, and much more.
You will learn from inspirational coaches who will give their best to help you acquire all the necessary skills to play your favorite songs or perfect your existing knowledge.
The site is easy to navigate, and the lessons come in a good price range, so they are definitely an option worth considering.
4. Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lessons on Artist Works
Another excellent source of online guitar courses is ArtistWorks. There are hundreds of excellent guitar courses and a wide range of courses for all needs and all skill levels and ages, so you are sure to find something that is right for you.
I would like to recommend the “Acoustic Guitar Lessons for Beginners” course that you can find here. This course is specifically designed for beginners. It will help you learn the most important basic guitar chords, picking techniques, and strumming patterns by learning your favorite songs.
What sets this course apart from other similar courses on other websites is the ability to submit your videos for review. The instructor will review your video and give you a response in the form of another video. You will get detailed instructions and feedback on how to improve your playing and take it to the next level.
When you enroll in this course, you will also have access to the Video Exchange Library, where you can view the videos that are shared between the instructor and other students and also use these videos as learning materials.
If you choose to take this course, your instructor will be David Butler. He is the president and co-founder of ArtistWorks and has years of experience teaching and performing. He will guide you through the beautifully arranged lessons in an interesting and engaging way, making sure you understand and acquire all the practical skills you need to play your favorite songs with confidence.
But, if acoustic guitar isn’t your jam, “fret not” as they also have courses on Rock, Jazz, Classical, Bluegrass, Country, Blues, and loads more different styles of guitar lessons. Check them all out with the link below.
5. JamPlay
Next on our list is JamPlay (free 30 day trial), an online learning platform where you can find thousands of engaging but easy-to-follow video lessons, from beginner to advanced courses.
After you select your course and sign up, you’ll get access to JamPlay’s extensive library of step-by-step song lessons. You can practice with custom tracks that make learning so much fun.
If you are just starting your guitar adventure, you can choose one of the many carefully crafted courses designed specifically for beginners. These courses can get you started and help you build a solid foundation for the next level.
You can choose lessons for acoustic or electric playing, rock, blues, fingerstyle, and more. You’ll learn how to hold a guitar properly, how to fret, play chords and scales, how to read music, go over simple music theory, develop good practice habits, and more.
All lessons are taught by inspiring and highly experienced musicians and award winners who will guide you through everything step by step to make sure you gain the knowledge and skills you need to play your first songs and move forward on your guitar journey.
What’s even better is that they offer a free 30-day trial, so you can really get stuck in, take a look around and start some lessons to see if it works for you. Grab the trial by clicking below.
6. MasterClass
The next two exceptional courses come from MasterClass.com. This platform is one of the most popular resources for a large number of lessons on a variety of topics, including leadership and business, photography, sports, cooking, writing, acting, and music.
The first course they have for guitarists is “Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar.” This course includes twenty-six lessons that will teach you the guitar techniques, rhythms and riffs that are characteristic of Tom’s style.
Tom is the former guitarist of the legendary rock band Rage Against The Machine, a two-time Grammy winner, and one of Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists. Starting with his early lessons, you’ll learn the riffs, rhythms, and solos that helped build his career and make him famous. He will inspire you to learn and teach you how to solve any problem you might encounter on your guitar journey and how to create your own style of music.
The second MasterCalss course I’ve selected is “Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar” With the help of one of the world’s greatest musicians, you will learn how to create a distinctive, soulful guitar sound that will touch the hearts of your listeners.
You’ll learn how Carlos weaves together emotion, artistic expression and musical genres, and what makes his playing so unique. He will break down his process note by note so you can learn it all and develop your own playing style.
No matter which course you choose, you will enjoy an entertaining and beautifully presented class and have the opportunity to work with the finest musicians the world has ever seen.
7. JustinGuitar
Another popular source for online guitar lessons is JustinGuitar. This site was founded by Justin Sandercoe, a well-known guitarist and teacher who wants to share his knowledge with students all over the world.
On this site, you can find a large number of free lessons that are very nicely arranged and presented in a fun and appealing way.
The lessons are suitable for all skill levels and all styles. They’re divided into classes with separate modules, and each module includes an introductory video. Besides, you can choose from more than 600 free songs to learn, from Pink Floyd to Coldplay.
Besides, you can download various apps to help you learn, such as Ear Trainer, One Minute Changes and Blues Licks.
The only downside of this site is that there isn’t enough content for advanced players, but what is included is really exceptional.
8. JamTrackCentral
JamTrackCentral (JTC) offers a wide range of paid tuition packages at very affordable prices. You can get a package with the highest quality content at a very affordable price and learn your favorite instrument without leaving the comfort of your own home or even your bed.
There are lessons for every need, skill level and budget, so you are sure to find something that suits you.
When you sign up for one of the courses offered on this site, you’ll get access to the ever-growing library of solo, lick and masterclass products that will help you learn to develop your unique technique and style and progress in your playing.
You can buy, download and take any song wherever you want using the TAB /notation system. Besides, you can choose your own tempo and learn as and when it suits you.
All lessons are easy to follow and understand and are taught by some of the world’s best guitarists. So you’ll be learning from the best.
9. Jamorama
Jamorama offers a perfect step-by-step program for beginners. You can choose between technique-based and song-based lessons.
The lessons are both free and paid and are of the highest quality, attractively presented and fun. You will learn a lot about scales, strumming, progressions, lead and fingerstyle guitar and practice routines.
The lessons are taught by Mark McKenzie, the founder of this website, who has many years of experience as a guitarist and guitar teacher to students all over the world. He presents his lessons in a very patient and engaging way. He will help you gain all the practical skills you need to move on to more complex content.
The techniques and skills you learn with Mark can also be applied to the electric guitar, so these lessons can help you learn electric guitar as well.
The Jamorama content is specifically designed for beginners, but advanced players can also benefit from it and refine the skills they have already acquired.
10. Complete Guitar Lessons System – Beginner to Advanced on Udemy
Next is an all-in-one course from Udemy that covers lessons on fingerstyle guitar, blues guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and fingerpicking guitarra. It is suitable for learners of all levels and ages and features 306 video lessons with PDF attachments.
The lessons are step-by-step and easy to follow, teaching you the right techniques and exercises so you can develop the right practice habits.
From picking up the guitar for the first time to playing your favorite songs on the guitar, this course will ensure that you are moving in the right direction.
The lessons are taught by Erich Andreas, who has been playing and teaching guitar for thirty years. In addition to his success as a guitarist and teacher, Erich is also a bestselling author of the Amazon bestsellers “Guitar Mastery Simplified” and “Ukulele Mastery Simplified”
Therefore, you can relax knowing that you will be learning from a person who is fully dedicated to his work and passionate about sharing his knowledge and vast experience to help you master the guitar quickly.
11. Fender Play
Fender Play is a guided online learning program that offers thousands of paid step-by-step lessons for beginner and intermediate players.
You will find numerous instructional videos and exercises that will help you start your guitar journey and make quick progress without costing you an entire fortune.
After signing up, the site will offer you a questionnaire that you can fill out and determine which course would be the best for your needs and preferences. You can choose your style and path and embark on this exciting adventure.
The Level 1 lessons will take you through the guitar fundamentals and equip you with the skills you need for the next level. The intermediate-level lessons will guide you through more complicated matters and set you on a path toward becoming a good guitar player.
All lessons are well-arranged, simple, and easy to follow and understand. You will learn a lot while having fun in the process. As mentioned, they are great for beginners and intermediate-level learners but advanced learners can benefit from them too if they are looking for a way to refresh their knowledge and polish their existing skills.
All of them are taught by highly experienced teachers and guitar players whose aim is to help you learn everything necessary to play your favorite songs.
12. Yousician
And finally, the last resource on our list is Yousician. Yousician is a great resource in that it offers a large number of online guitar lessons and other content in one app.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced player, whether you prefer Acoustic or Electric guitar, this application has lessons for everyone’s needs and will allow you to learn guitar at home while having a lot of fun in the process.
The lesson plans are created by real guitar players and music teachers who have a lot of experience performing and teaching.
These plans will allow you to learn guitar with a bunch of interactive videos, play-along tutorials, and other music-learning technology that will keep you motivated as you get instant feedback about your playing and rewards for acquired skills and reached goals.
Besides this, you can choose your own learning path and practice playing the guitar whenever and wherever it suits you.
Honorable Mentions
And finally, here are a few more honorable mentions that I couldn’t include above, but you might want to check out!
Jazz Learning Pathway on Pickupmusic
The “Jazz Learning Pathway” is an online jazz guitar course available on pickupmusic.com The course is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of jazz guitar playing and develop advanced skills and vocabulary to solo like a professional within three months. Get a free 14-day trial before committing to the paid program.
Marty Music
Marty Music is an excellent learning resource. It offers a large number of well-crafted courses at more than a reasonable price range, such as “Beginner Acoustic Guitar,” “Rock Guitar Power Chords,” “Beginner Bare Chords,” “Essential Blues Rock Bundle,” and others.
Andy Guitar
Andy Guitar is a world-class learning platform that allows you to learn with personalized pathways, track your progress, and stay motivated. It offers hundreds of free and paid lessons suitable for all levels and styles of playing.
Rock Like the Pros
Rock Like the Pros is a site founded by Terry Carter, a San Diego-based guitarist and songwriter. The site offers a diverse curriculum and well-written lessons accompanied by the highest quality instructional videos and backing tracks.
OrangeLearn
OrangeLearn is an online resource for guitar lessons, perfect for those who want to learn guitar flexibly and quickly. It allows you to tailor your experience to include online and offline learning and to choose your own pace.
SkillShare
Guitar Fundamentals: Learn Quick with Mark Boyd – This is an online guitar course perfect for beginners that will walk you through the anatomy of the guitar all the way to playing your first songs. You will get access to chord diagrams, sheet music, strumming patterns, slowed-down versions of songs to play along with, and an excellent teacher (Mike Boyd) to guide you on this journey.
Conclusion: Which Online Guitar Course Is the Best for You?
That about wraps up my guide to learning guitar online. I hope you found it helpful. As you can see, the internet is full of great resources for learning to play the guitar; the hardest part is taking the leap and committing the time to work at it.
But if you are still undecided and can’t make up your mind, I highly recommend GuitarTricks.com. The number of lessons, quality of teachers, variety of styles covered, and very affordable price make it an amazing resource for anyone learning guitar.
But I also love TrueFire’s collection of lessons. It’s just as good, and if you use the coupon code ‘HelloMusicTheory100‘ it works out even cheaper on the all access pass than Guitar Tricks.
Either way, the best thing you can do to improve your guitar playing is to invest in lessons. Whether it’s in-person lessons with a guitar teacher near you or an online course like these, skip the struggles and fast-track your way to playing better guitar.
