How to Learn Guitar Without Reading Music (a simpler way)

I've heard a lot of people say they want to learn guitar but that they can't read music, nor do they want to learn. That's a shame, because you do not have to read music to learn guitar. I've been playing guitar for decades now and I still don't really know how to read music.

Bobby has gone through a list of topics that you do need to focus on as it relates to learning the guitar.

Read more: How to teach/learn guitar in order

To be clear:

These topics do involve some music theory but do not include reading sheet music. There's a lot of value in certain aspects of music theory when it comes to learning guitar, but little in taking the time to read music. 

Reading music can be out of sight and out of mind.

As far as the topics in that article go (linked above), one of the best ways to get through them is with a learning platform or course, which is why we recommend Guitar Tricks in the box above. Again, you can try their program free.

Try it for free: Guitar Tricks program

That said, there are completely free options that we will cover as well, particularly Justinguitar. Paid programs can be good for some people, but so can the free options. We'll give you a look at both.

Here's a simplified list of the steps we'd take to learn guitar without reading music:

Best Online Programs for Learning Guitar without Sheet Music

1. Guitar Tricks

We've used and recommended Guitar Tricks for a long time because of their strong organization, incredible song lesson section, and the quality of their teachers' communication skills. They do a great job of getting you what you need to know and setting you up to go practice the material on your own.

None of the course material focuses on reading music. Instead, you're given the more practice tools for learning chords, scales, understanding the fretboard, and then getting you to some application with songs, when you're ready.

And when you go through material like this, you'll see that reading music has very little to do with learning the guitar.

Sure, you can learn it if you want to, but it's not at all necessary.

Use a program like Guitar Tricks to get through the process and figure out what you actually need to know.

Try it free for 14 days: Guitar Tricks

IDEAL FOR: Beginners, ordered courses, optimized practice sessions, and multiple playing styles

2. Justinguitar

Guitar Tricks is a paid program, but we also like to recommend free programs to our readers so they have a solid alternative if they're not ready to jump into a paid course. Both paths have their merit and value. 

Please do not listen to anyone who tells you that you must have a paid program to learn. 

It helps, sure - and it's a good fit for some people - but Justinguitar is also a great program that will help you learn guitar without reading music. As with the Guitar Tricks instructors, Justin Sandercoe is a great teacher and communicator, and walks you through all the basics of learning guitar with a more minimal focus on theory.

Bobby has reviewed his program in full as well.

Read the full review: Justinguitar

IDEAL FOR: Restricted budgets (program is completely free), blues and classic rock fans, complete beginners

Conclusion

To be honest, you don't need a ton of music theory to learn guitar, much less reading music.

We advocate for learning music theory that relates to the guitar and helps you understand it (it can really help you understand the fretboard). And you can definitely learn a lot on the guitar with the help of online resources and self-teaching.

Check out some of these programs or just sit down with a tab or chord sheet.

Reading music can be out of sight and out of mind.

Leave questions below.

Thanks for hanging with us.

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