10 Best Free Guitar Lessons Online [2025]

Looking to shred like your favorite metal guitarists without breaking the bank? You’re in luck! There are plenty of free online guitar lessons tailored for every skill level, and yes, even for those who want to dive into the world of metal guitar. From the crunchy rhythms of thrash to the intricate melodies of progressive metal, these lessons will get your fingers flying across the fretboard in no time. So, grab your guitar, tune up, and let’s check out some of the best free guitar lessons available online in 2025.

1. YouTube Channels: A Treasure Trove of Free Lessons

YouTube is a goldmine for aspiring guitarists. With countless channels dedicated to various guitar techniques and styles, you can find lessons on just about anything. Want to learn how to nail that tricky sweep picking technique or develop a powerful downpicking endurance? There’s a channel for that.

Metal guitarists often turn to channels like Ben Eller for his “This is Why You Suck at Guitar” series, which humorously tackles common playing pitfalls. For those who crave precision, Rob Scallon offers lessons that range from basic riffs to complex metal compositions. And if you’re looking for insights from the pros, Ola Englund provides gear reviews and lessons that are both informative and entertaining.

Each channel is packed with free content, allowing you to explore a wide array of techniques and styles. Plus, you can pause, rewind, and replay as much as you like, making it easy to learn at your own pace. The key is to find a channel that resonates with your personal learning style and stick with it. With some dedication and practice, you’ll be shredding along with the best of them.

2. JustinGuitar: Structured Learning for Free

If you prefer a more structured approach, JustinGuitar is a fantastic resource. Justin Sandercoe offers free lessons that take you from the basics to advanced techniques. His lessons are well-organized and easy to follow, making them ideal for beginners and intermediate players alike.

Justin covers a wide range of styles, including rock and blues, but you’ll find plenty of content that focuses on metal techniques as well. His website offers video lessons, downloadable tabs, and even a practice schedule to keep you on track. The site is user-friendly and allows you to progress at your own pace, making it a great option for self-motivated learners.

While JustinGuitar offers a wealth of free content, there are also paid options for those who want to support the site or access additional resources. However, the free lessons alone are more than sufficient to build a solid foundation and tackle some complex techniques.

3. Fender Play: Free Trial for Structured Learning

Fender Play is another excellent platform that offers a free trial period, allowing you to explore its structured, step-by-step lessons without any commitment. While it’s not exclusively free, the trial period provides ample time to dive into its diverse library of lessons.

The platform offers lessons tailored to various skill levels and musical genres, including metal. You can learn everything from basic chord progressions to more advanced techniques like palm muting and alternate picking. Fender Play’s lessons are short and focused, making it easy to fit practice into a busy schedule.

Although you’ll need to subscribe to continue using the service after the trial, the initial free access can be a great way to kickstart your learning journey. Plus, if you do decide to subscribe, you’ll have access to a vast library of lessons and songs to keep you engaged.

4. Ultimate Guitar: Tabs and Lessons

Ultimate Guitar is a household name for guitarists worldwide, famous for its extensive library of tabs. But did you know it also offers free lessons? While some features are behind a paywall, many lessons are freely accessible and cover a wide range of topics.

Whether you’re looking to master a specific song or learn a new technique, Ultimate Guitar has you covered. The site’s community-driven approach means you can find user-contributed lessons and tutorials on everything from pinch harmonics to sweep picking.

For metal enthusiasts, the site’s tabs are invaluable. You can find accurate transcriptions of your favorite metal songs, which you can use to practice alongside the original recordings. This combination of lessons and tabs makes Ultimate Guitar a powerful tool for self-directed learning.

5. GuitarTricks: Free Lessons and Trial Period

GuitarTricks is another platform that offers free lessons and a trial period. Known for its beginner-friendly approach, GuitarTricks provides a structured learning path that covers all the basics before diving into more advanced techniques.

While the site primarily focuses on rock and blues, there are plenty of lessons that cater to metal enthusiasts. You can learn essential techniques like palm muting, power chords, and speed picking. The lessons are concise and easy to follow, making them perfect for players looking to improve quickly.

After the trial period, you can choose to subscribe for full access. However, the free lessons provide a solid foundation and enough content to keep you busy for quite some time. It’s a great way to test the waters before committing to a paid subscription.

6. Riffhard: Metal Guitar Lessons from the Pros

For those who are serious about mastering metal guitar, Riffhard is an unmatched resource. While not entirely free, Riffhard offers a range of free content alongside its paid lessons. It’s a specialized platform focused solely on modern metal, featuring lessons from some of the most respected names in the genre.

With instructors like Dean Lamb from Archspire and Zakk Wylde, you can learn the secrets of the pros and apply them to your playing. Riffhard’s lessons cover everything from rhythm guitar techniques to songwriting and riffing, making it a comprehensive resource for metal guitarists.

While the full library requires a subscription, the free lessons are a great way to sample the high-quality content Riffhard offers. Plus, with features like a custom metronome and downloadable tabs, you’ll have all the tools you need to hone your skills.

7. JamPlay: Free Lessons and Community

JamPlay is another platform that offers free lessons alongside a trial period. Its comprehensive library includes lessons from professional instructors, covering a wide range of genres and techniques.

For those interested in metal guitar, JamPlay offers lessons on everything from basic power chords to advanced lead techniques. The platform’s community features allow you to connect with other guitarists, share tips, and discuss your progress.

While the full lesson library requires a subscription, the free lessons provide a great introduction to JamPlay’s teaching style. You can explore various techniques and find what works best for you before deciding whether to subscribe.

8. Marty Music: Fun and Engaging Lessons

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging way to learn guitar, Marty Music is a fantastic option. Marty Schwartz, the man behind the channel, offers free lessons that are both entertaining and educational.

While Marty covers a wide range of styles, his lessons on rock and metal techniques are particularly popular. You can learn everything from classic rock riffs to more modern metal techniques, all presented in a friendly and approachable manner.

Marty’s teaching style is relaxed and easygoing, making it perfect for beginners and intermediate players. His lessons are concise and focused, allowing you to learn new concepts quickly and apply them to your playing.

9. Rocksmith+: The Gamified Learning Experience

Rocksmith+ offers a unique, gamified approach to learning guitar. While it’s primarily a paid service, it offers a free trial period that allows you to explore its innovative learning tools.

The platform uses a video game-like interface to teach guitar techniques and songs. You can plug your guitar into your computer and play along with the lessons, receiving real-time feedback on your performance. It’s like Guitar Hero, but with a real guitar!

Rocksmith+ covers a wide range of styles, including metal, and offers lessons on techniques like alternate picking and sweep picking. The gamified approach makes learning fun and engaging, encouraging you to practice regularly and improve your skills.

10. Yousician: Interactive Learning with Real-Time Feedback

Yousician provides an interactive learning experience with real-time feedback, making it a popular choice for guitarists of all levels. While the full service requires a subscription, there’s a free version available that offers limited access to lessons and features.

Yousician uses your device’s microphone to listen to your playing and provide instant feedback on your performance. The platform covers a wide range of styles, including metal, and offers lessons on techniques like palm muting and speed picking.

The interactive nature of Yousician makes it easy to stay motivated and track your progress over time. With its user-friendly interface and engaging lessons, it’s a great option for guitarists looking to improve their skills without committing to a paid service.

Final Thoughts

Learning to play guitar doesn’t have to be expensive. With these free online resources, you can start honing your skills and dive into the world of metal guitar without spending a dime. From YouTube channels and structured learning platforms like JustinGuitar, to specialized sites like Riffhard, there’s something for everyone. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from the world’s best metal guitarists, ensuring you get top-notch instruction. So, pick up your guitar, and start exploring these resources to take your playing to the next level.