Best Site for Learning an Instrument
Summary
The best site for learning an instrument depends on the instrument. JustinGuitar is the genuinely-free leader for guitar with a comprehensive curriculum that thousands of working musicians started with. Yousician is the gamified all-instrument app — engaging for beginners but criticized for stalling at intermediate. Fender Play covers guitar with manufacturer-direct curriculum. Pianote leads for piano. Drumeo for drums. We deliberately exclude apps that promise 'play in hours' — instrument learning is a years-long endeavor and apps that misrepresent that timeline aren't serving students well.
Top 5 at a glance
| # | Site | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JustinGuitar | Completely free comprehensive guitar curriculum | Free; paid app available with extras |
| 2 | Pianote | Comprehensive piano curriculum with strong instructor team | Subscription pricing |
| 3 | Drumeo | Comprehensive drum education with industry-pro instructors | Subscription pricing |
| 4 | Yousician | Gamified app for beginners across multiple instruments | Subscription with limited free tier |
| 5 | Fender Play | Guitar curriculum from Fender with brand backing | Subscription pricing |
Detailed rankings
JustinGuitar
Completely free comprehensive guitar curriculum
The default for guitar learners. Many working musicians cite JustinGuitar as where they started. The free model is rare and uncompromised.
Pros
- Comprehensive free curriculum from beginner to advanced
- Justin Sandercoe is a long-respected guitar educator
- Strong on theory alongside technique
- Active community for questions and progress
Cons
- Guitar only — no other instruments
- Video format requires self-direction
- App tier exists but the free YouTube and website content is comprehensive
Price: Free; paid app available with extras
Sources: www.justinguitar.com
Pianote
Comprehensive piano curriculum with strong instructor team
The default for serious piano learners. The methodology and instructor team beat app-based alternatives for sustained progress.
Pros
- Strong instructor team led by Lisa Witt
- Genuinely structured beginner-to-advanced path
- Strong on theory and ear training alongside technique
- Active community and live group lessons
Cons
- Subscription cost
- Less viable for budget learners
- Best fit for serious piano students
Price: Subscription pricing
Sources: www.pianote.com
Drumeo
Comprehensive drum education with industry-pro instructors
The default for drum learners. Drumeo's parent (Musora) also operates Pianote and Guitareo.
Pros
- Industry-pro drummers as instructors
- Strong curriculum from beginner to advanced
- Includes hand technique, rudiments, and genre-specific lessons
- Hybrid live and on-demand content
Cons
- Subscription cost
- Best for committed drum students
- Less suited for casual learners
Price: Subscription pricing
Sources: www.drumeo.com
Yousician
Gamified app for beginners across multiple instruments
Functional starting point for absolute beginners. Transition to dedicated curricula like JustinGuitar or Pianote once you've established a habit.
Pros
- Gamified mechanics drive engagement for beginners
- Covers guitar, piano, ukulele, bass, voice
- Audio-recognition feedback on play accuracy
- Polished mobile app
Cons
- Criticized for plateauing learners at intermediate
- Game mechanics can substitute for actual musicianship development
- Subscription cost
- Less comprehensive than dedicated instrument programs
Price: Subscription with limited free tier
Sources: yousician.com
Fender Play
Guitar curriculum from Fender with brand backing
Functional but doesn't differentiate from JustinGuitar for the price. Use the free trial to evaluate against JustinGuitar before committing.
Pros
- Curriculum backed by major guitar manufacturer
- Strong production quality
- Genre-focused song-based learning
- Free trial period
Cons
- Subscription required after trial
- Less comprehensive than JustinGuitar's free curriculum
- Marketing channel for Fender products
Price: Subscription pricing
Sources: www.fender.com
How we chose
- Curriculum structure — progressive skill-building versus random songs.
- Instructor credibility — working musicians and teachers.
- Free content depth.
- Honest representation of timeline — instrument learning takes years.
- Coverage of theory alongside technique.
- Community for stuck moments.
Frequently asked questions
Why is JustinGuitar free?
Justin Sandercoe has explicitly committed to free instruction as a teaching philosophy. The app and donation model support the operation, but the core curriculum on YouTube and his website is fully free with no paywall. Many working musicians started here and have donated back as their careers developed.
Why are gamified apps criticized for plateauing learners?
Game mechanics optimize for short-term engagement — completing exercises, leveling up, unlocking content. Long-term musicianship requires aspects games don't reward — ear training, improvisation, theory integration, performance under pressure. Apps that emphasize gameplay metrics can produce learners who appear advanced inside the app but struggle with real-world musicianship.
Can I learn an instrument as an adult?
Yes, with realistic expectations. Adults learn slower than children in some ways but bring discipline and analytical capability that children lack. Daily practice of 20-30 minutes for several years produces real proficiency at any age. The 'too late to start' belief is wrong.
Should I take lessons in person?
In-person lessons remain the gold standard for technique correction and personalized feedback. Online curricula plus occasional in-person check-ins is the practical balance for most adult learners. Online alone works if you're self-aware about technique and willing to record yourself for review.
How long until I can play recognizable songs?
Simple chord-based songs within a few weeks on guitar or piano. Recognizable melodies and full songs within months. Sounding genuinely good — at least a year of consistent practice. The early progression curve is rewarding; the long middle is where most learners quit.