13 Best YouTube Channels For Free Guitar Lessons 2024

YouTube has become a go-to haven for all kinds of do-it-yourselfers. By the kindness of content creators, people can go to the website to learn about nearly any topic under the sun.

Guitarists are perhaps a group that can benefit the most from the website. There are many different channels available, allowing one to have a steady diet of guitar lessons.

If you’re looking for the best YouTube guitar lessons, you’ve come to the right place. The following are some of the best channels around, arranged in no particular order.

Marty Music

When it comes to learning songs, there is perhaps no better resource available than the Marty Music channel. What guitarist doesn’t know about this bearded, fedora-hat-wearing YouTube guitar icon?

In just a few short years after the launch of YouTube, Marty Schwartz began uploading guitar lessons. Since his first video in 2008, Marty has become one of the most respected and recognizable teachers on YouTube.

His platform has changed a little over the years. At first, he was primarily producing content on the GuitarJamz channel before launching a channel featuring his name.

Any list of the best YouTube guitar lessons would be remiss without this founding father. Take a day and peruse his channel and you're bound to learn something!

Where Marty Music really shines is in the offering of song-based lessons. Marty has provided innumerable videos covering rock songs of nearly every era.

There is also quite a number of lessons available regarding how to play guitar solos. Marty gives you a rundown of how to use different scales in blues and rock musical settings.

We all get tired of a constant feed of educational videos from time to time. You can be sure that you’ll always be entertained by the content on Marty Music.

Marty frequently supplements his educational material with content from a purely entertaining lens. His short videos are downright hilarious, showing that Marty is connected to the jokes and memes of the guitar world.

Eric Haugen Guitar

You can find just about anything guitar-related when it comes to searching YouTube. What is often missed is how to apply certain concepts to become a more well-rounded player.

Eric Haugen Guitar is a channel that provides some of the best YouTube guitar lessons covering applied theory. Of course, there is much more than that offered here, so let’s take a moment to unpack it all.

Upon your first arrival at Eric Haugen Guitar, you will feel like a welcomed guest in a home. This is, in part, due to Eric’s very relaxed demeanor and his home being the setting for nearly every video.

Eric gained his musical chops by attending the Berklee College Of Music. He, in turn, imparts his pearls of knowledge to YouTube for free.

Like other channels, Eric Haugen Guitar does provide song-based lessons on occasion. However, the songs he provides are usually by artists that are not quite as mainstream as found on other channels.

There is also a wide variety of technique-based lessons to be found here, too. You’ll get the full rundown of how they work and how you can creatively use them in your own music.

Perhaps where Eric Haugen Guitar really shines is in the applied theory and conceptual type of lessons. These are the lessons that really help to shape you into becoming the best guitarist you can be.

Eric’s chill attitude and engaging demeanor give him an edge when explaining deep conceptual topics. You’ll come from his video lessons feeling replenished by plenty of food for thought. 

The Art Of Guitar

When it comes to the best YouTube guitar lessons, The Art Of Guitar is one of the oldest channels around. Started in 2008, this channel is spearheaded by the guitarist Mike Geronsin.

Throughout the channel’s history, Mike has won the accolades of many different publications for his lessons. His efforts on The Art Of Guitar are no less informational than they always have been.

Granted, the channel has somewhat shifted in scope. The channel primarily focused on techniques, artist studies, and life hacks.

Now, the channel is oriented more towards providing guitar-related entertainment. This was likely a choice made in an effort to guide guitarists to The Art Of Guitar’s paid lesson website.

However, those old videos can still teach you quite a bit. Plus, the newer videos, while entertaining, can shed a light on topics you might not have thought about. 

Frequently, Mike discusses his mistakes as a guitarist, which you can use to your own benefit. He also puts a number of different things to the test, which in turn, end up being very entertaining.

There are a number of different lessons you’ll find on The Art Of Guitar. Those who are oriented to classic metal and hard rock will especially love this channel. 

Ry Naylor Guitar

Using his experience of over two decades, Ry Naylor produces some very worthwhile lessons. If you’re a beginner learning the fundamentals, Ry Naylor’s channel has some of the best guitar lessons on YouTube.

Each lesson found on Ry Naylor Guitar is chock full of useful information. Yet, each video is short enough for the dense information to be digested completely.

You’ll find that each video lesson features on-screen companion guides such as tabs, chord diagrams, and much more. This is a major benefit to those who require a bit of a visual guide when learning new concepts.

This channel does have a fair amount of song-based lessons. Each of these lessons is hinged on Ry Naylor’s own transcriptions.

Perhaps where this channel really shines is in its lessons designed for fretboard navigation. Ry really lays out the fretboard in different intervals and scales to show you a workable framework. 

In addition to this, you’ll find a wealth of information regarding chords, extensions, triads, and arpeggios. Each of these concepts is aided greatly by the aforementioned on-screen supplementary material.

If you find yourself having trouble navigating the fretboard, give Ry Naylor Guitar a visit. These are some of the best YouTube guitar lessons available on the topic.

TomoFujitaMusic

If you’re familiar with guitar-related content on YouTube, you’ve no doubt come across Tomo Fujita. He is one of the most popular educational content creators on the platform.

If you’re not familiar with Tomo Fujita, you’re in for quite the rabbit hole of education. Tomo has been a Berklee College Of Music professor since 1993 and even taught John Mayer during his student years.

As a channel, TomoFujitaMusic provides some of the best YouTube guitar lessons for all guitarists. However, advancing guitarists will really benefit by dedicating some time to learning his material.

On the channel, you’ll find a wide variety of different lessons that are primarily music theory-oriented. Tomo provides extensive lessons on this topic, giving you a nugget of wisdom to apply with your own playing.

You’ll also find a variety of different technique-based lessons as well as numerous exercises to add to your routine. Practicing these will no doubt whip your guitar chops into shape in no time.

In a sense, TomoFujitaMusic is doing the guitar world a massive favor. You can essentially learn college-level concepts for free.

Outside of this, Tomo regularly has unboxing videos as well as gear reviews and gear-related lessons. 

Definitely give TomoFujitaMusic a visit if you know that your guitar playing needs a challenge. Or, at least pay a visit to have your mind blown by some extremely clean and technical playing.

JustinGuitar

When it comes to the best Youtube guitar lessons, JustinGuitar is perhaps one of the most informative. In fact, you could consider JustinGuitar to be one of the founding fathers of the free guitar lesson movement.

JustinGuitar has been providing free guitar lessons since the beginning of YouTube’s history. Today, you’ll find that the channel is still producing quality content on a regular basis.

Time is one of the biggest factors when it comes to building a reputation. Amongst guitarists, Justin Sandercoe’s teachings have been an absolute lifesaver when it comes to learning new things.

On the JustinGuitar channel, you’ll find a wide variety of lessons featuring:

• Music theory
• Guitar fundamentals
• Techniques
• Song-based lessons

No matter where you are on the skill level spectrum, JustinGuitar has lessons available for you. In fact, his website is a perfect resource for someone looking for a free guided pathway to learning the guitar.

Justin regularly has live broadcasts featuring transcription sessions and Q&A. You can get a real taste of what is involved with becoming a studied and seasoned guitar player.

Do not pass up this excellent resource of lessons, especially if you’re a beginner. JustinGuitar has the content to take you to the upper echelons of guitar playing.

The best part is, it’s all free and has been since day one. For that reason alone, JustinGuitar is one of the best channels for producing YouTube guitar lessons.

BERNTH

Are you a guitarist who is into extreme metal techniques? Or maybe you’re just somebody that can stand to learn some of these pristine techniques to clean up your playing?

The BERNTH channel might prove to be a worthwhile endeavor if you find yourself in this situation. You’ll learn how to play tech metal just like your favorite guitarists in the genre.

Bernth is actually an Austrian metal guitarist who has had an education at the Vienna Music Institute. Since graduating, he’s been an accomplished session guitarist and has toured extensively with the band Belphegor.

You’ll find a wealth of information on the BERNTH channel, particularly when it comes to technique. So, if your chops are not up to snuff, pay this channel a visit.

Many of the videos consist of technique exercises that can help unlock the doors of your playing abilities. Sweep picking and extremely fast playing will be just some of the skills you can pick up through this channel.

Plus, you’ll also get an inside look at what the life of an accomplished session guitarist can be like. Occasionally, Bernth shares his own life experience so you can understand what this kind of life entails.

GuitarLessons365

Looking to learn and incorporate different techniques into your playing? The GuitarLessons365 channel might be worth checking out.

This channel is spearheaded by Carl Brown, who established the channel in 2009. It has since become one of the most popular channels amongst guitarists.

On this channel, you’ll find a wide variety of music theory lessons to help fill the gaps in your knowledge. An extensive library of different techniques is also included on this channel.

In addition to this, you’ll find that Carl occasionally shines the spotlight on different students who have playing issues. By doing so, Carl gives you an idea of how a particular problem can be fixed.

There is also a good amount of artist studies to be found on this channel as well. This allows you to incorporate the elements of your favorite guitarists into your own playing.

Looking to learn songs? The associated GuitarLessons365Song channel will have you covered. 

On this channel, Carl incorporates multiple camera angles so you can really see every element of the guitar. This is a feature not often seen with free lessons.

Michael Palmisano

If you’ve ever been curious about the analysis of your favorite performers, Michael Palmisano is your man. He is a guitar teacher who has a strong connection with his community. 

Compared to other channels, the dedicated lessons are fairly scant. However, that’s why other channels exist.

On this channel, you’ll find that Palmisano regularly breaks down live performances. He does not have any sort of reservations about the music he analyzes, either. The best part is, he regularly does this live so he has more of a connection with his community.

This provides a very unique look that any guitarist can learn from. Quite often, we are too consumed with learning exercises and techniques.

The analysis allows you to really understand why certain things work in a performance. In turn, you can apply these concepts to your own performances.

What better way to do this than by learning through a certified instructor? Palmisano is a graduate of the Guitar Institute of Technology, and he regularly imparts his knowledge.

Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t lessons here. You’ll regularly find conceptual lessons to be learned on this channel.

Plus, if you love Palmisano’s personality and want to learn more, he has you covered. You can join his Guitar Gate community, which will teach you the fundamentals to become yourself on the guitar.

StichMethod Guitar

Are you someone who has aspirations of playing in a jam band? Or maybe you just want to learn how to improvise like the masters?

If so, it’s worth checking out StichMethod Guitar. Founded in 2016, this channel is hinged on the teaching wisdom of Ian Stich. 

You’ll find a wide variety of different lessons here to add to your toolkit. Most importantly, you’ll actually come out of these lessons with something you can regularly use.

Much of the lessons cover fretboard navigation by way of scales. But unlike other lessons, StichMethod teaches you how to understand them in a no-nonsense way.

Not only that, but you’ll also understand how to use scales in a practical manner. StichMethod teaches how to speak the language of music, rather than just playing scales mindlessly.

If you’ve ever felt lost on the fretboard, this channel is your lifesaver. An extensive amount of time has been spent to provide you with a workable framework you can actually use.

Jens Larsen

Have you ever wanted to learn jazz guitar but been intimidated by the genre? There is perhaps no better person to learn from than Jens Larsen.

Jens Larsen is an absolute god-send for the aspiring jazz guitarist. You’ll find everything you need to know right on this beautiful channel.

Jazz chord voicings, chord melodies, progressions, arpeggios, and soloing are all par for the course here. Plus, Jens regularly breaks down how to play the jazz standards.

It gets even better because Jens Larsen goes the extra mile for his students. You can download a PDF of the lesson material directly from his website.

You won’t be disappointed by spending some time on the Jens Larsen channel. There is a reason why this channel (founded in 2006) remains one of the most popular amongst guitarists. 

Compared to the rest of the platform, these are the best YouTube guitar lessons for jazz. Be sure to incorporate some of these lessons into your diet of educational guitar videos.

Paul Davids

Need a fresh approach to the guitar? Let this bearded man from the Netherlands inspire you with some food for thought.

You’ll find a wide variety of content on the Paul Davids channel. So, not only will you learn, but you’ll also be entertained.

Paul Davids spends a great amount of time studying the habits of famous artists and their songs. In turn, he imparts this knowledge to his viewers so you can add it to your playing.

In addition to this, Paul Davids does have quite a few lessons on guitar fundamentals. You’ll learn about how triads, scales, chords, and other techniques are used by the most famous artists. 

Aside from this, Paul Davids regularly provides his opinions on guitar-related gear. It helps to get his opinion when you are considering certain gear for yourself.

Occasionally, Paul will challenge himself with certain goals. During his videos, you can see him struggle, which shows he is human like everyone else.

Overall, Paul Davids has a fun approach to the guitar. This, in turn, can help remind you to have fun with your own approach to the instrument.

Fretboard Confidential

Are you a fingerstyle player looking to beef up your skillset? You’ll love the lessons you can find on Fretboard Confidential.

This channel, founded in 2016, is led by instructor David Hamburger. As a professional, he’s scored award-winning documentaries and TV shows. He’s even had a best-selling book covering blues guitar techniques.

As a whole, much of the channel does orient itself to fingerstyle blues music. After all, that is what David Hamburger’s background particularly highlights.

On Fretboard Confidential, you’ll find a wide variety of lessons to learn from. You can be sure that this channel will help you into the advanced levels of fingerstyle guitar.

If you take the time to learn every lesson here, you’ll become an accomplished player who can freely improvise. You’ll also learn some of the blues fingerstyle standards that are so fundamental to the style.

There is also a great amount of attention given to studying the habits of well-known players. To name a few, you can learn how to play like:

• Grant Green
• Doc Watson
• Freddie Green
• Jimmy Forrest
• Tommy Flanagan
• Lester Young

David also spends a good amount of time with music theory-based lessons. You’ll learn how to incorporate different altered chord voicings into your vocabulary. 

For blues fingerstyle, Fretboard Confidential has some of the best YouTube guitar lessons. You won’t be disappointed with David and his fretboard philosophies.

Top YouTube Guitar Lessons, Final Thoughts

As you can see, there is no shortage of information readily available for a guitarist to integrate. The wide number of teachers ensures that you can be as well-rounded (or specialized) as you desire.

It can be easy to endlessly watch YouTube lessons without actually putting in any of the work. Be sure you actually spend the time practicing the material in each lesson so your time isn’t completely wasted.