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Rhythm Guitar Courses Compared
There are dozens of ways to learn guitar online. But if your goal is to master rhythm specifically, your options narrow fast. We compared the top platforms so you don't have to.
At a Glance
| Course | Price | Format | Rhythm Focus | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Rhythm Guitar Level 1Signals Music Studio | $45 one-time | 22 video lessons + printable PDF | Rhythm-specific | |
| JustinGuitarJustin Sandercoe | Free (donations welcome) | Video lessons on website + app | General guitar (beginner-focused) | |
| Fender PlayFender | $14.99/month | App + video lessons | General guitar (song-based) | |
| Guitar TricksGuitar Tricks Inc. | $19.95/month | Video lessons library | General guitar (comprehensive) | |
| YousicianYousician Ltd. | $19.99/month | Gamified app with real-time feedback | General guitar (gamified) | |
| YouTube (Free Videos)Various creators | Free | Individual videos | Varies wildly |
Detailed Breakdown
Real Rhythm Guitar Level 1
by Signals Music Studio
$45 one-time
Format
22 video lessons + printable PDF
Level
Beginner to Advanced
Pros
- + Laser-focused on rhythm skills
- + Structured curriculum from counting to complex patterns
- + Printable PDF workbook with exercises
- + Lifetime access — no subscription
- + Physical book bundle available ($60)
- + 5-star rated by students
Cons
- - Rhythm only — no lead guitar, scales, or theory beyond rhythm
- - Self-paced (no live feedback)
Our Verdict
The best option if rhythm guitar is your specific goal. No other course covers counting, strumming, syncopation, and chord sheet reading in this much depth.
JustinGuitar
by Justin Sandercoe
Free (donations welcome)
Format
Video lessons on website + app
Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Pros
- + Completely free
- + Massive library of lessons
- + Well-structured beginner course
- + Great community and support
Cons
- - Rhythm is covered briefly — not a deep dive
- - Can feel overwhelming with so much content
- - No dedicated rhythm-specific curriculum
- - App has premium features behind paywall
Our Verdict
Excellent free resource for absolute beginners learning guitar overall. If rhythm is your weak spot, you will need to supplement with something more focused.
Fender Play
by Fender
$14.99/month
Format
App + video lessons
Level
Beginner
Pros
- + Learn by playing real songs
- + Clean, modern interface
- + Covers guitar, bass, and ukulele
- + Good for staying motivated
Cons
- - Very shallow on rhythm technique
- - Subscription adds up ($180/year)
- - Limited intermediate/advanced content
- - Song-focused — less technique drilling
Our Verdict
Fun way to learn songs, but you will not develop strong rhythm fundamentals here. Good as a supplement, not a primary rhythm resource.
Guitar Tricks
by Guitar Tricks Inc.
$19.95/month
Format
Video lessons library
Level
Beginner to Advanced
Pros
- + Huge library (11,000+ lessons)
- + Core Learning System for beginners
- + Genre-specific courses (blues, rock, country)
- + Song tutorials included
Cons
- - Rhythm is scattered across many courses
- - Subscription cost ($240/year)
- - Can feel unfocused — too many choices
- - Interface feels dated compared to newer platforms
Our Verdict
A solid general guitar education platform. Has rhythm content mixed into other courses, but no single dedicated rhythm curriculum.
Yousician
by Yousician Ltd.
$19.99/month
Format
Gamified app with real-time feedback
Level
Beginner
Pros
- + Real-time feedback via microphone
- + Gamified — makes practice fun
- + Structured daily practice routines
- + Tracks your progress
Cons
- - Very basic rhythm coverage
- - Gamification can prioritize speed over technique
- - Limited free tier
- - No deep rhythm-specific training
Our Verdict
Great for building a practice habit and getting basic timing feedback. Not a substitute for dedicated rhythm study.
YouTube (Free Videos)
by Various creators
Free
Format
Individual videos
Level
All levels
Pros
- + Completely free
- + Endless content variety
- + Can find great teachers (including Signals Music Studio)
- + Good for specific topics
Cons
- - No structure or curriculum
- - Quality varies enormously
- - Easy to waste hours without progress
- - No workbook, exercises, or accountability
- - Hard to know what to learn next
Our Verdict
YouTube is where most guitarists start, and there is excellent content there. But for systematic rhythm development, an unstructured approach leaves major gaps.
The Bottom Line
Most guitar courses teach a little bit of everything. That is great if you are starting from zero. But if rhythm is your bottleneck — if you struggle with timing, strumming feels stiff, or you cannot lock in with other musicians — a general course will not solve that.
Real Rhythm Guitar Level 1 is the only course we have found that treats rhythm as a complete discipline. 22 lessons from counting basics to advanced syncopation, with a workbook full of exercises. At $45 one-time (cheaper than 3 months of any subscription), it is the most focused and cost-effective rhythm education available.
Ready to Master Rhythm Guitar?
Join thousands of guitarists who have transformed their rhythm playing with Real Rhythm Guitar. 22 video lessons, printable PDF workbook, lifetime access.
Start Learning TodayOnly $45 · Lifetime Access · 5-Star Rated