Apps to learn music: theory, chords, notes
Thanks to advances in technology and the internet, it is now possible for anyone to learn a musical instrument from the comfort of their own home, using just a smartphone. Whether it's the guitar, ukulele, piano, violin or even song composition that you would like to learn, you will find the apps here to help you on your way.
Fender Play
Tutorials on how to play guitar
Fender Play is an app from guitar making legends Fender. Here you’ll find tips and tricks to help you learn to play guitar even if you’re a complete novice, but also tutorials to perfect your technique if you’ve already got some experience. It doesn’t matter if you play classical or electric guitar, ukulele or bass, you’ll find help for every aspect of your playing. Fender Play even includes tips for singing and accompaniment!
Fender Play is a paid app, download the Android version here and the iOS version here, but you can enjoy a 3 month free trial period by clicking here.
Ultimate Guitar
Chords, tabs, and lyrics for different musical instruments
Ultimate Guitar is hugely popular amongst musicians and composers. It offers chords, tabs, and lyrics for guitar, bass and ukulele for over 800,000 songs! You can compile lists of your favourite songs in playlists, watch videos for help or use them as backing tracks, transpose songs to a key that better suits you and enjoy a dark mode for gigs. This is why it is specially suited to bands.
You’ll find Ultimate Guitar here for Android and here for iOS.
Violin by Trala
Learn how to play violin
Always wanted to learn how to play the violin but never had the time? Or perhaps you played when you were a child and would like to take it up again? Violin by Trala will accompany you brilliantly on your way. You can start as an absolute beginner and use the app to take you to intermediate level. The app features video lessons from world-class violinists who share their tips and skills, a built in tuner and the app will give you instant feedback-you’ll always know if you’re playing out of tune or incorrect rhythm. Test it out today!
It’s available to download free for Android and iOS.
Lick of the Day
Lessons from well-known guitarists
Lick of the Day is an app to learn guitar which offers lessons from famous guitarists. There are more than 1,200 lesson hours available spread amongst all levels. You can also swap between sheet music and tablature whilst learning.
Lick of the Day is only available for iOS.
Ukulele Tabs & Chords
If you are a fan of ukulele
Designed by ukulelists, for ukulelists, this app is the perfect accompaniment to help you learn to play your favourite songs on the Ukulele. Whether you’re an experienced player or just starting out, Ukulele Tabs and Chords has something for everyone. Not only does it provide tips and tricks to improve your technique, but you can search and find almost any song you can think of and learn to play it on the Ukulele. The app will provide you with the tabs and chords for each song, to have you performing with ease.
Download it for Android here.
Piano Dust Buster
Learn how to play piano
Learn how to play the piano for free with Piano Dust Buster. With this app, you can learn to play entire pieces and songs and get support and tips from virtual piano teachers.
You’ll find Piano Dust Buster here in the app store and you can download it for Android as an APK file here.
Chord!
Learn chords
Chord is an app that will help you learn both simple and more difficult guitar chords which will also be explained to you using a piano. In addition to this, the app also helps the user to learn the mechanics of composition when they have to do some transposition.
Chord! Is available for iOS here.
Drum Guru
Learn how to play drums
Drum Guru is an app to help you learn how to play the drums however, it is useful to have a little bit of previous knowledge when using this app. The app offers many high quality video and audio tutorials, packed with tips and tricks that can also be slowed down to half speed, to really help you grasp the information being taught.
Drum Guru is available here as APK file for Android and here for iOS.