Do you remember those little magazines with chords for learning guitar? Depending on your age, it might be hard to remember, but there was a time when, to learn guitar, you had to go to the newsstand and buy a magazine with the chords for the songs of the moment and some chord tips.
Over time, YouTube gained popularity with its video lessons, and now you can learn guitar with just one app on your phone. And there are many options to help, including chords, exercises, tuners, and, depending on the app, even video lessons.
These apps will help you by showing you the way, however, one of the most important things when learning to play is perseverance: it requires daily practice and it may take a while for results to appear. Before we begin, a quick note about the list: not every app here is completely free. We state for each one what the Google Play listing says about ads and charges.
If you want to learn to play the guitar, here are five Android apps that can greatly help in the process.
1. Cifra Club, one of the classics for learning guitar.
The website cifraclub.com.br It was one of the first to replace the famous newsstand's songbook, and today it lives not only in the browser. Cifra Club he has application own, in which a large part of the functions are available without pay nothing.
through the application, users access a huge collection of figures and tablatures, covering virtually all musical genres, and you can even put together a list with the songs Favorites for studying. Since much of the content is submitted by the community itself, it's possible to find a chord chart with an incorrect chord—if the music sounds strange, it's worth comparing it to another version.
And it's no problem for those who still don't know how to read ciphers: the app brings a large catalog of video classes showing exactly how to form chords, change chords, and use the right-hand strumming pattern. It also includes a tuner, in case you need one. guitar to avoid going out of tune in the middle of a practice session, and an arm simulator that shows where to place each finger.
The listing on Google Play shows Contains advertisements It is In-app purchasesThe chords, tablature, and song lyrics remain free, and the Cifra Club PRO subscription removes advertising and unlocks extra features. View on Google Play
2. Beginner Guitar: Coach Guitar
Another very good app for those who are starting out on the guitar is... Coach Guitar, published on Google Play as “Beginner Guitar: Coach Guitar”. This application It employs a different teaching method: instead of sheet music or written chords, it uses colors over an image of the instrument's fretboard to show the... position of each finger and the order in which you should play.
It's not the ideal app if you want theoretical knowledge, because it focuses on the practical side, with video lessons, animations, and... tips to play entire songs by mimicking what appears on the screen.
The developers assume that it's common to get discouraged at some point in learning, so the app works with goals and new songs are added frequently, covering various styles and difficulty levels, to keep the student motivated to continue practicing. instrument.
The listing on Google Play shows In-app purchases and it doesn't have the seal. Contains advertisements. The download is free, but full access to the music and lessons is sold via subscription — check the current price in the store itself before subscribing. View on Google Play
3 more apps to learn how to play guitar
In addition to these two, three other Android apps provide lessons, exercises, and support material for those learning to play the guitar:
- Guitar lessons — a video course organized into modules for beginners, with basic chords, rhythms, and chord-changing exercises. The information on Play shows Contains advertisements and there is no list of purchases in the app.
- Yousician: Music Tutor The app listens to the sound of your guitar through the microphone and tells you instantly if the note is correct, in a game-like style. Note: It's not a free app.. The download is free and there's a demo version, but full use depends on a Premium subscription, with monthly and annual plans. The listing on the Play Store shows... In-app purchases and it doesn't have the advertising label.
- GuitarTuna: Tuner, Chords It doesn't teach music, but it solves step zero: tuning the guitar via microphone in seconds. It also includes a chord library and metronome. The listing on Play shows... Contains advertisements It is In-app purchases.
A practical tip: start with a tuner. Practicing with an out-of-tune instrument is difficult for your ear and makes you think you're making a mistake when the problem is actually the tuning.
Learn a little music theory.
And, if you also want to learn more about theory musical, the website descomplicandoamusica.com It's a good starting point: the material is free, divided by subject, and written in language accessible to those who have never studied music.
If you're wondering "why study music theory?", here are 5 reasons why it's worth knowing at least the basics:
- More independence: you can play a chord you don't know and change the key of a song without having to find the ready-made chord chart. For example, if the song is good but too loud for your voice, knowing how to transpose solves the problem in a minute.
- It improves communication with other musicians, which is useful if you intend to play in a band or group — matching key, tempo, and musical form becomes much faster.
- It helps when improvising: knowing harmonic fields and scales makes it much easier to know which note fits each chord when you play spontaneously, without any planning.
- It makes songwriting easier because you understand why a certain chord progression sounds good and you can replicate that effect in your own music.
- Finally, it becomes easier to switch to other instruments, such as keyboard or bass: the theory is the same, only the location of the notes changes.
With a tuned guitar, one of these apps, and a few minutes a day, you can go from zero to playing your first songs in just a few weeks. Did you find any outdated information on this page? Write to [email protected].
Criteria that make a difference in the choice
- Pace and time per session. Short daily sessions work better than weekly marathons, and some apps are designed for that purpose.
- It works offline. Studying while commuting requires downloading lessons beforehand, and not all apps allow this.
- Content aligned with your objective. An app for conversation is different from an app for exams. Choosing one based on your goal will prevent you from giving up in the second week.
- The certificate has an expiration date. Application certificates are rarely formally recognized. If the goal is a resume, confirm this beforehand.
What these apps don't do
It's important to know what's beyond the reach of this category—that's what avoids frustration and, most importantly, prevents falling for those who promise the impossible.
- Fluency is not guaranteed on its own: conversational practice with another person remains necessary.
- Automatic translation within the app makes mistakes in context and slang; it serves as support, not as a definitive answer.
- They are not a substitute for formal courses when a recognized certification is required.
- Gamification helps with consistency, but obscuring the content with points and sequences can give the feeling of greater progress than there actually is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time per day?
15 to 20 minutes a day usually yields more results than two hours once a week, because spaced repetition is what makes it stick.
Is it possible to learn solely through the app?
You can go a long way in terms of vocabulary and comprehension. But to speak naturally, practice with another person remains irreplaceable.
Is it suitable for children?
Many have a kids' mode. It's worth checking the rating and whether there's advertising within the app.
Is the premium version worth paying for?
It makes sense when you've already established the habit and the free content has run out. Paying before establishing the routine usually results in a forgotten subscription.
Does it work offline?
Some allow you to download lessons. Check that, because that's what determines whether it's possible to study on public transport.
