Are you thinking about learning to play an instrument but don't know where to start? Google Play offers a world of tools for practicing, from courses with guided lessons and interactive games to notation tools. ear training and tuners with metronomeIf you're looking to go at your own pace from the comfort of your couch, today you have more options than ever to turn that dream into a habit.
In this guide, we've compiled, rewritten in our own words, the top-ranking apps and websites for this search, covering piano, guitar, bass, drums, wind instruments, vocals, and more. You'll find platforms like Tonestro, Yousician, Flowkey, Pianist HD, Real Drum, and Walk Band, as well as key tools like iReal Pro, MuseScore, and ear trainers. The idea is that with just one read, you'll identify what you need, compare options, and start playing with Free content, trial periods, and plans that fit your budget.
How to choose your app and why learning an instrument is worth it
Learning to play has benefits supported by studies: it improves coordination, enhances memory, stimulates creativity, and improves concentration. Plus, playing relieves stress and boosts self-esteem because you see your progress daily. even if you start from scratch and at your own pace.
Maybe you even have an instrument tucked away in a drawer (yes, the recorder from school sounds familiar to many of us) and it's time to take it out. Technology makes it easy: there are free and paid apps for all levels, along with websites with sheet music, videos, and exercises. The goal is to combine fun practice with a solid foundation of theory, so that you can advance without vices and with motivation.
- Your goal: Quick results with songs, a solid theoretical foundation, or a fun experience to keep you entertained.
- Your level: a complete beginner, someone returning after years, or a parent guiding their child.
- your budget: There are monthly, annual subscriptions, and free options with limited features.
- Free content: Check if you can try lessons, songs, or courses before paying.
- teaching style: “video game” type games, structured videos or itineraries with real-time feedback.
A practical note: many apps request microphone access to listen to you or allow you to connect via MIDI/Bluetooth. Review their privacy policies, and keep in mind that some platforms and websites use cookies and ask for consent to personalize ads; if you don't agree, Certain features may be limited or not save your progress..
Find the app that fits your learning style and your musical goals; then, commit consistently. That mix is ​​what makes progress real. enjoyable and sustainable.
Featured apps to learn to play instruments
All-in-one platforms and gamified approach
Yousician It offers video game-like learning that works with your real instrument or a virtual keyboard. Its technology "listens" to you and gives you feedback on rhythm and tuning, with scrolling tracks and a ball that indicates when to play. You can start in Casual or Advanced mode, and there are weekly challenges to motivate you. It's ideal if you want to stay engaged with dynamic points and rankings, although for very advanced students, it may fall short and create a certain dependence on the visual interface for reading. Something to keep in mind if you later want to delve into traditional reading.
tonestro, for its part, is a platform designed by music education specialists with support for string, wind, woodwind, and keyboard instruments. It offers basic theory, fingering charts, interactive score exercises, lessons tailored to your pace, and features like a metronome and tuner for each instrument. Its live analysis listens to what you play and corrects your tuning, rhythm, and intention. as if you had a teacher in front of you at any time.
Tonestro's catalog includes hundreds of songs with study accompaniments, is updated weekly, and adds challenges and scores to keep motivation high. If the instrument you're looking for is missing, they invite you to write to them so they can add it. You can check out their Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and start your musical journey now.
Additionally, Tonestro's dedicated recorder app is a fantastic option if you want to start playing the instrument: it includes sheet music, instant feedback, and challenges that gradually increase your level. Whether you're interested in playing the recorder at school or want to take it up again more carefully, This guided approach makes it easy to get started without frustration.
Piano: from first touches to complete programs
Pianist HD is a very popular virtual keyboard for Android with over fifty million downloads. It lets you play at your own pace, upload MIDI and karaoke files, and boasts over 50.000 songs and 128 MIDI instruments. It's perfect if you like to tinker with your repertoire and experiment with arrangements. without complicating yourself with advanced settings.
flowkey It offers a visual method with videos of professional pianists and a system that listens to you through a microphone or MIDI. You start slowly and increase the speed until you reach the actual tempo; it also offers feedback as you progress. It has a wide repertoire and the app can also be used on PCs, an advantage if you switch devices. For those starting from scratch, it's a safe bet due to its clarity and progression. with a direct focus on songs, technique, chords and reading.
For those looking for simple and straightforward apps, MyPiano It emulates a grand piano on your phone, allowing you to play multiple keys simultaneously, record, and apply effects. You can also experiment with other instruments if you want to change things up. It's a great way to practice without pressure. ideal when you don't have a physical keyboard at hand.
If you're thinking about children, Piano Teacher teaches through play with minigames, dual or triple keyboards, and a recording option. It doesn't replace a physical piano, but it helps spark interest and improve finger dexterity on the virtual keyboard. making practice a game.
Quick comparison of the best piano learning apps
skoove focuses on interactive lessons with AI and human support. It works with any piano (acoustic via microphone or digital via MIDI) and offers instant feedback, curated song collections, and short, non-overwhelming sessions. It's ideal for beginners of any age, with a 7-day premium trial and free basic lessons. If you're looking for a solid foundation, clear progression, and occasional support from a real teacher, You will feel accompanied from the first minute.
SimplyPiano It focuses on playing songs as quickly as possible, with backing tracks and a structure that's friendly to families and kids. You can connect via MIDI/Bluetooth or use the device's microphone. The theory is simplified and the technique is skimmed, but it's a great way to get started and motivate yourself. It includes a set of free beginner lessons and family profiles. perfect if there are several of you at home.
YousicianIn addition to covering more instruments, it offers ear training exercises and a gamified approach with limited daily free access and a 7-day trial. It's very entertaining, although it simplifies arrangements and isn't the best option for advanced levels. If you're looking for fun and consistency, it's a tremendous boost; If you are looking for a complete repertoire and formal reading, you may find it short..
Playground Sessions It stands out for its video lessons with renowned instructors and feedback via MIDI input. It requires a MIDI keyboard (it doesn't work with just a microphone) and combines tasks with a point system, indicators, and real song arrangements. It's a highly structured path to progress from beginner to advanced. ideal if you value a clear curriculum.
Hoffman Academy offers over 400 free video lessons, geared toward families and building strong foundations. Its premium plan adds games, practice plans, and backing tracks. It doesn't offer real-time feedback, but it's excellent as a free entry point. especially if budget is a key factor.
Musora Pianote combines video courses with feedback from instructors and the community. You'll see the real keyboard and a virtual one from above, with guided sessions and live Q&A. You can submit videos for detailed (not immediate) feedback, so if you learn best with human guidance and a community, This mix can be very motivating.
Online Pianist It aims to expand its repertoire with a huge library (pop, anime, soundtracks) and features like speed adjustment, loops, and hand separation. It has a free premium trial and releases free songs every few days if you log in daily. If you want theory and structure, it falls short; but if you're looking to cover specific tracks without spending a lot, It is an affordable and practical option.
Piano Academy It combines short videos to explain concepts with practical exercises and songs that integrate what they've learned. The playful tone and design are very kid-friendly; it doesn't delve into meter or rhythm at first, but it engages and builds the habit. It has a 7-day trial and some free starter lessons. a simple and motivating gateway.
Piano in 21 Days This is a crash course focused on chords and improvisation for playing songs quickly. Perfect if you want to accompany pop/rock songs or join a band without delving deeply into traditional reading. Its pace is intense and there's no real-time feedback, so it requires discipline and autonomy. but it keeps its promise if you stick to the plan.
Guitar: start from scratch or polish your technique
If you prefer guitars, the app Learn to play guitar Includes over 500 video tutorials in Spanish, for all guitar types and levels. You can repeat each lesson at your own pace, ideal if you need to consolidate the basics without rushing. It also includes My Guitar, which shows you the six strings on screen and different types of guitar (acoustic, Spanish, electric, muted), with the option to apply effects; it is an intuitive way to experiment and get used to the fingering without getting lost.
To reinforce vocabulary and repertoire, Chord! (Guitar Chord Finder) is a powerful chord and scale dictionary for fretted instruments: it helps you find fingerings (even for left-handed players), harmonize and reharmonize, and understand what fits in each key. If you need a boost with riffs and phrases, Lick of the Day has over 1.200 electric-focused video sessions, with tempo control and position guidance. perfect for enriching your phrasing.
On Google Play you will also see suggestions like How to Play Guitar, KeyChord or even simulators like Accordion. Not all of them are complete courses, but they are useful supplements to resolve specific questions, practice chords and expand your repertoire of resources.
Wind, bowed strings and bass: from saxophone to violin
If the saxophone calls you, you have two approaches: simulation and learning. Professional Saxophone It's a virtual sax with high-quality sound for playing chords from your mobile phone or tablet screen. Saxophone – How to Play, on the other hand, offers tutorials for beginners, with videos and chord lists, a great option for those starting from the basics. step by step and without stress.
To fully understand transposing instruments, the Saxophone Transpose tool helps you match real notes to those of the instrument in question. If you compose or arrange for wind instruments, it's a lifesaver. And if you're drawn to the clarinet, you'll find options like How to Play Clarinet, with beginner's guides that guide you through fingering and initial sounds. avoiding common startup errors.
Violin: Fiddlerman is a website with free video lessons from holding and bowing to advanced techniques. It includes practice scores and helpful tools (metronome, rhythm and counting charts), and guides for fine tune or change strings. It's a very complete resource for organizing your studio, especially if you enjoy learning with videos.
Bass: StudyBass offers free lessons and a step-by-step study guide, covering technique, harmony, rhythm, reading, styles, note names on the fretboard, and much more. It adds useful tools like a fretboard printer, online metronome, bass clef tutor, and score paper. It's one of the most solid ways you'll get started. without skipping steps.
Percussion, DJ and multi-instrument
Real drum Turn your screen into a realistic drum kit: your fingers act as drumsticks, there are 60 video tutorials and 33 loops in a variety of styles, with the ability to customize pads with your own images and sounds. It's incredibly fun and useful for internalizing rhythmic patterns. In addition to being free.
Drums is another very popular simulator that lets you rearrange more than 20 components (toms, cymbals, bass drums) to your liking for comfortable playing. Its sound is surprisingly realistic, and the ads are non-intrusive. If you've always wanted to sit down at the drums, these apps offer a close and hands-on experience. with zero assembly at home.
Walk Band goes even further: it supports multiple instruments (piano, guitar, bass, drums), allows you to connect an external keyboard, and includes MIDI and voice recording and editing functions. For creating quick demos or experimenting with multi-layered arrangements on your mobile device, It is a small pocket study.
If you're into mixing, DJ Studio 5 won't make you an international DJ overnight, but it will give you the pleasure of mixing your favorite tracks with a simple interface, crossfader and up to 8 effects, ideal for home sessions and learning the basics.
And to liven up the minor percussion party, Shakers simulates maracas, castanets, a cowbell, a ratchet, and a clave; tilting the phone modifies the sound, so you also train your coordination. It's not perfect in hand-sound synchronization, but it makes you smile and keeps you in rhythm. which is just what you are looking for when you start.
Theory, listening, reading and notation
To train your ear you have two essentials: Perfect Ear (Perfect Ear) and Complete Ear Trainer. The first one works on intervals, chords, progressions, and scales with an entertaining approach; the second, designed as a video game with pedagogical principles, doesn't let you advance without mastering each block. Both will improve your auditory perception and your theoretical foundation. something key to play with judgment.
iReal Pro is the "band in your pocket": accompaniments for non-stop practice at any difficulty level, with the ability to create your own exercises and manage your repertoire. If you want time signature, harmony, and groove without relying on other musicians, you fall in love at first.
If you compose or need to write sheet music from Android, Chaconne Music Notation lets you create, edit, and share with advanced features. And to build your piano vocabulary, Piano Companion PRO is a large chord and scale dictionary with fingerings, scale relationships, and sound preview. ideal for discovering what fits in each shade.
For sight-reading, Music Sight Reading II trains you in treble, bass, and alto clefs, measuring your progress. And if you're looking for a music library and editor, MuseScore lets you create your collection, edit online, and share with its community. Between these two, you'll have plenty of reading and repertoire to last. with very powerful free resources.
More utilities and resources
On Google Play, you'll also find compilations of apps for learning to play all kinds of instruments: from Chord! Free or KeyChord to simulators like Accordion, as well as specific "How To Play..." guides for different instruments. Not all of them replace a course, but they do fill in the gaps and give you ideas for practicing. what makes the difference in the long run.
If you're going to take the plunge, remember that many of these apps and websites offer free trials (7, 14, or even 30 days), limited daily access at no cost, or individual open lessons. This window is perfect for checking if you connect with the method, if the feedback is useful, and if the repertoire motivates you. When you find the app that "grabs" you, blocking out 10-20 minutes a day works wonders: between the reinforcement of points, challenges, and new songs each week (like tonestro), and practice tools like iReal Pro, MuseScore, or a good ear trainer, progress feels very fast.
What you need is just a tap away: a platform that motivates you, content you'll want to play, and a routine. Start with what you enjoy the most (virtual drums, guitar riffs, piano melodies) and gradually add theory, reading, and listening skills. With options like Yousician, tonestro, Flowkey, Skoove, Simply Piano, Playground Sessions, Hoffman Academy, Pianote, Online Pianist, Piano Academy, or Piano in 21 Days, plus tools like Perfect Pitch, Complete Ear Trainer, iReal Pro, Chaconne, Piano Companion, Chord!, Music Sight Reading II, MuseScore, and extra resources like My Guitar, MyPiano, Drums, Saxophone – How to play, Real Drum, Walk Band, DJ Studio 5, or Shakers, you have everything you need to grow without excuses. with fun, method and measurable results.