Simply Guitar

Simply Guitar

app

Everyone, 2021, Education

WISE
81%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A solid beginner guitar app that gets you playing chords fast, but you'll outgrow it once you're past the basics.

Where to Find

App Store
App Store
Google Play
Google Play
Screenwise Verdict

Simply Guitar does what it promises: gets total beginners playing chords and simple songs quickly using clever audio-recognition tech. It's well-designed, safe, and genuinely teaches foundational skills.

The catch? You'll hit the ceiling fast. Reviews consistently note it's great for dipping your toes in but lacks the depth for anyone who wants to actually get good. Think of it as guitar training wheels—helpful to start, but you'll want to graduate to something more robust (or a real teacher) within a few months.

For families testing whether a kid will stick with guitar before investing in lessons, it's a reasonable option. Just know the subscription isn't cheap, and if your kid shows real interest, you'll be moving on from this app sooner rather than later.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8–16 who want to try guitar without committing to in-person lessons. Younger kids may lack the finger strength and coordination; older teens might want something with more depth or a real instructor.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Learning a musical instrument is inherently wholesome—builds patience, discipline, and self-expression. The app uses positive reinforcement with immediate feedback, no social comparison features, and focuses purely on skill development. The step-by-step structure prevents frustration and encourages steady progress.

Imaginative
72

Guitar playing itself is creative, but the app follows a highly structured, tutorial-driven approach with limited room for free exploration or composition. You're learning songs and techniques, not creating original music. The feedback system is innovative (listening to your playing in real-time), but reviews note it's 'barebones' and offers 'very little headroom' for advancing beyond basics.

Safe
82

No ads, no social features, no user-generated content. The app requires a subscription (free trial then paid), which is transparent but can be expensive. Kids mode is available. Main concern is the subscription model—not predatory, but it's a commitment. No content safety issues whatsoever; it's just you, a guitar, and lessons.

Enriching
85

Learning guitar is genuinely skill-building and cognitively enriching—develops motor skills, pattern recognition, rhythm, and music literacy. Users report it 'opened up an entire world' and helps total beginners make real progress. The app tracks progress and teaches fundamentals through tab reading, chords, strumming. However, it plateaus quickly for anyone wanting to go beyond beginner level.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Real-time audio feedback actually listens to your playing and tells you if you're hitting the right notes—pretty cool tech
  • Gets absolute beginners playing recognizable songs within the first few sessions, which is motivating
  • Step-by-step video lessons from actual music teachers, not just tabs on a screen
  • Works with any guitar (acoustic or electric), so you don't need special equipment
  • Builds genuine musical skills: chord switching, strumming patterns, tab reading, tuning
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What to Watch For

  • Subscription required after free trial—not cheap for what some reviewers call a 'barebones' platform
  • Limited growth potential; multiple reviews note it doesn't offer much headroom beyond beginner level
  • Younger kids (under 8) may struggle with the motor skills and hand strength needed for guitar
  • The app is directive, not exploratory—you're following lessons, not jamming or composing freely

Conversation Starters

  • "What song are you most excited to learn on guitar?"
  • "How does it feel when the app tells you you're playing it right?"
  • "Do you want to keep learning guitar after you finish the beginner lessons, maybe with a real teacher?"
  • "What's harder—getting your fingers in the right position or switching between chords quickly?"

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