Picking up a musical instrument can be a rewarding hobby, and for me, during a time when many were seeking new indoor activities, guitar seemed like the perfect choice. Inspired by self-taught musicians and armed with a budget-friendly guitar, I embarked on a journey to learn guitar independently. Like many in the digital age, I initially thought online tutorials would be enough, but soon realized I needed a more structured and engaging approach. That’s when I turned to the world of apps, specifically searching for the Best App For Learning Guitar, and discovered Yousician.
Tuning Up with Tech: Why Yousician Stands Out
YouTube tutorials, while abundant, proved too unstructured for my beginner needs. I needed something simpler, more interactive, and that’s how I landed on Yousician. With over 10 million downloads, it was clearly a popular choice. Booting up the app, I was greeted by a friendly voice guiding me through guitar basics – string names, holding techniques, all led by an unseen instructor. The app ran flawlessly on my phone, though I could see how using it on a tablet, one of the best tablets, might be beneficial for those who prefer larger visuals, as the notes can appear quite small on a phone screen.
What immediately grabbed my attention was Yousician’s gameplay-like interface, reminiscent of Guitar Hero. Colored blocks cascade down, indicating which string and fret to play, even suggesting finger placement. This gamified approach was a significant selling point for me. Now, when I look at my fingers on the fretboard, I subconsciously associate them with colors – pointer finger yellow, middle finger purple, index blue, and pinky orange!
After the initial setup, including a built-in tuner and fundamental lessons, Yousician does introduce a subscription model. To unlock its full potential and access a vast library of songs, opting for Premium+ is worthwhile, costing around $11 a month. This premium access not only expands your song choices beyond Yousician originals but also unlocks learning for other instruments like piano, ukulele, and even vocals. While Premium+ also boasts celebrity-led courses, their brevity might be a bit underwhelming.
Despite some songs being covers, the licensed song selection is impressive. From modern hits by artists like Twenty-One Pilots and Imagine Dragons to classics spanning decades, including gems from the 90s and 00s, glam rock anthems, and timeless tracks from The Beatles and John Denver, there’s a diverse range to explore. Personal favorites to play became The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” and The Cranberries’ iconic “Linger.”
Learning to Play: Interactive and Engaging Lessons
Yousician app interface for guitar learning, showing colorful notes for easy playing guidance
(Image credit: Future)
Even with zero prior musical background, Yousician made learning recognizable songs surprisingly achievable. Lessons are structured into video tutorials featuring real instructors, followed by interactive exercises. Each segment typically lasts about 5 to 10 minutes, making learning manageable and digestible. The app’s biggest advantage is the ability to slow down sections, replay them as needed, and receive immediate visual feedback – notes turning green for correct and red for incorrect. This real-time correction is invaluable, preventing the development of bad habits that might occur with less interactive methods like YouTube or books.
Yousician excels at motivating you to keep practicing, much like a game. Each completed lesson or song earns you a score, a star rating, and a place on online leaderboards. This gamification creates an addictive loop, pushing you to improve your score. Leveling up your account after completing lesson sets provided a genuine sense of accomplishment, fueling my progress further.
Time to Go Solo? Graduating from the App
Reaching level 5 in Yousician marked a significant milestone. I had grasped guitar fundamentals, learned basic music theory, and explored techniques like power chords, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. At this point, while I considered continuing my subscription, I realized my learning goals were evolving. The app had served its purpose in building a solid foundation.
As a casual player, dedicating around 30-60 minutes most days, the lessons were becoming increasingly technical and fast-paced. I came to terms with the fact that rock stardom wasn’t in my future! Guitar playing became more about relaxation and enjoyment than intense skill-building.
For anyone starting from scratch, I wholeheartedly recommend Yousician as the best app for learning guitar. However, its peak effectiveness for casual learners might be finite, and that’s perfectly acceptable. Yousician provided me with the essential grounding to confidently explore music independently. Now, when I want to learn a new song, I often search for chords online and play at my own pace. Perhaps, like Fleetwood Mac, it’s time for me to go my own way, armed with the skills Yousician helped me acquire.
