21 Great Apps for Guitarists
In a world flooded with music apps, guitarists are always on the lookout for tools that offer something fresh, innovative, or a bit outside the mainstream. While big names like GarageBand and Fender Play often dominate the spotlight, there are hidden gems in the app world that can help guitar players hone their skills, spark creativity, or simply add some fun to their daily practice. Here’s a list of 21 solid apps and sites that every guitarist should check out.
1. Tonebridge Guitar Effects
A gem for guitarists looking to replicate the tones of their favorite tracks. Tonebridge offers over 15,000 song presets, letting you achieve the exact guitar sound used in popular tracks with minimal tweaking.
Why people like it:
Easy interface
Access to tones from classic rock to modern pop
Works with most interfaces and amps
2. Songsterr
Unlike traditional tablature apps, Songsterr provides high-quality tabs combined with playback features that allow you to hear how songs should sound.
Why people like it:
Clear, accurate tabs
One-click access to thousands of songs
Interactive playback
3. Chordify
Chordify automatically detects and displays chords for any song. Perfect for guitarists who want to quickly learn new songs by ear without spending time searching for tabs.
Why people like it:
Seamless integration with YouTube
Real-time chord recognition
Great for learning and jamming on the fly
4. Guitar Notebook
Guitar Notebook enables songwriters to save all their song ideas together in one place so they never lose a song. With simple notation, lyrics, and audio recordings, it’s great for guitarists of any level of music theory or skill, and an essential tool for the songwriting process.
Why people like it:
Access all your songs on any device with SongSync
FlexFrets for any pattern longer than 5 frets
SongSight AI for importing songs from images
5. Fretello
This app offers an AI-driven learning path that adjusts to your skill level. It’s especially great for beginners and intermediate players, guiding users through techniques and providing personalized feedback.
Why people like it:
AI-driven lessons
Video demonstrations
Real-time progress tracking
6. Guitar Gravitas
For players interested in theory and fretboard knowledge, Guitar Gravitas covers scales, modes, and exercises designed to improve your understanding of the fretboard.
Why people like it:
Covers a wide range of scales
Interactive fretboard diagrams
Theory-rich content for serious players
7. JamTrack Central
JamTrack Central is a resource for guitarists looking to practice improvisation. With backing tracks across various genres, it allows you to experiment and find your sound.
Why people like it:
Professional quality backing tracks
Diverse genres, from blues to metal
Improvisation-focused
8. Chordbot
Chordbot is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you create chord progressions and melodies. You can build custom backing tracks or use it for songwriting inspiration.
Why people like it:
Great for composing
Wide variety of chords and instruments
Export options for further editing
9. Solo
Solo is an ear-training app designed to help you recognize intervals and chord progressions. Ear training is essential for guitarists who want to develop the ability to play by ear.
Why people like it:
Clear, progressive exercises
Adaptive difficulty levels
Covers chords, intervals, and scales
10. Capo
Capo allows you to slow down songs without changing the pitch, helping you learn difficult solos and riffs by breaking them down into manageable parts.
Why people like it:
Pitch-perfect slowdowns
Isolate parts of a song
Loop tricky sections
11. Neck Diagrams
This app lets you visualize and create diagrams of chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios across the fretboard. Great for teachers and players who want to map out ideas.
Why people like it:
Customizable fretboard layouts
Export diagrams for teaching or personal use
Covers complex scale patterns
12. Tempo SlowMo
Tempo SlowMo is an app that allows you to slow down or speed up your favorite songs without altering their pitch. A powerful tool for mastering difficult solos or complex chord changes.
Why people like it:
High-quality audio adjustments
Easy-to-use interface
Ideal for both practice and transcription
13. GuitarTuna
More than just a tuner, GuitarTuna is packed with features like chord diagrams, metronome, and even ear-training exercises. It’s versatile enough for beginners yet powerful enough for seasoned pros.
Why people like it:
Accurate tuning algorithms
Multiple tuning modes (standard, drop, alternate)
Integrated learning tools
14. BIAS FX 2
For guitarists looking to get their hands on realistic amp and pedalboard simulations without breaking the bank, BIAS FX 2 is a free app that offers top-tier sound.
Why people like it:
High-quality amp and effects simulations
Customizable rig setups
Great for home practice and recording
15. OnSong
Designed with live performers in mind, OnSong helps you organize your setlists and display chord charts for each song on the fly. Perfect for musicians who need a reliable tool during gigs.
Why people like it:
Organize setlists and chord sheets
Built-in capo and transposition features
Sync across devices
16. Yousician
A comprehensive app that offers guided lessons on guitar techniques and music theory. Yousician provides real-time feedback to help you learn more effectively.
Why people like it:
Gamified lessons
Progress tracking
Excellent for beginners
17. ChordBank
ChordBank is a vast chord dictionary with additional lessons on chord theory, finger positioning, and transitioning between chords. It's a one-stop shop for building a solid foundation in rhythm guitar.
Why people like it:
Massive chord library
Finger position diagrams
Practice tips and tricks
18. Jamulus
Jamulus allows you to jam online with other musicians in real time, using low-latency audio. It’s a game-changer for remote collaboration and virtual band practices.
Why people like it:
Low latency for smooth jamming
Great for remote band practice
Simple, intuitive interface
19. Anytune
Like Capo, Anytune helps you slow down music without affecting pitch, making it ideal for learning intricate guitar parts. The added bonus here is detailed control over EQ, which can help isolate parts.
Why people like it:
Pitch-accurate slowdowns
Fine-tuned audio controls
Loop sections of a track
20. Cubasis LE
Cubasis LE is a fully functioning DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that allows you to record, mix, and edit tracks directly from your phone or tablet. Ideal for guitarists who want to lay down ideas on the go.
Why people like it:
Full DAW functionality on mobile
Multi-track recording
Customizable interface
21. The Metronome by Soundbrenner
More than just a traditional metronome, Soundbrenner’s app integrates with their wearable hardware to provide haptic feedback, allowing you to feel the beat as you play.
Why people like it:
Advanced time signature support
Wearable integration for tactile feedback
Customizable rhythms and tempos
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Conclusion
Whether you're a beginner looking for guided lessons or a seasoned player aiming to refine your skills, these 21 “undiscovered” apps offer a wealth of features to help you along your musical journey. With tools ranging from ear training to online jamming, each app serves a unique purpose to enhance your guitar-playing experience. Dive into these gems and elevate your playing!