There are 2 really big online video guitar lesson websites at present: Jamplay.com and GuitarTricks.com
Deciding on which one to join can be a bit tricky, since they are both very similar in so many respects. This is where a side-by-side comparison between GuitarTricks and Jamplay will come in handy, but first, lets discuss the history of these sites to get a better understanding of what they can do for you.
Battle of the lessons
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It’s important to know that GuitarTricks is the older site, established in 1998. As such, they practically invented online guitar lessons, therefore JamPlay is the follower, sort of copying GuitarTricks.
However, the follower is actively trying to overtake the pioneer, as can be seen from the video editing quality, and the rate at which new lessons are added onto JamPlay.
Have a look at the Jamplay vs Guitar Tricks comparison table below, to find the nitty gritty differences between the 2 site:
JamPlay vs Guitar Tricks Feature Comparison
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 |
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| Level | Beginner to Advanced | Beginner to Advanced |
| Lessons | Thousands of lessons - All levels and genres - Song lessons - Supplemental tabs & chord charts - Video lessons downloadable |
Thousands of lessons - All levels and genres - Song lessons - Supplemental tabs & chord charts - Forum on each lesson - Video lessons not downloadable |
| User interface | Personalized UI: - Bookmark lessons - Lessons viewed - Progress history |
Personalized UI: - Bookmark lessons - Lessons viewed - Progress history |
| Online tools | - Chord finder - Backing tracks - Metronome - Reference tuner - Downloadable video player |
- Chord and scale library - Backing tracks - Metronome - Reference tuner |
| Extras | - Active forum - All lessons and tools downloadable |
- Active forum - Live webcam sessions - Learning games |
| Pricing | $14.95 / month | $19.95 / month |
| Refund policy | 60 days | 7 days |
As you can see, both websites are very similar, but you can still find differences beneath the hood.
The reason why I think GuitarTricks is the winner versus JamPlay, is because:
- All video lessons and guitar tools are downloadable
- Longer refund period
- Just a bit cheaper
- NEW: Check out the new GuitarTricks.com Free Trial Membership for 14 days, where you’ll get access to all lessons and tools on GuitarTricks.com for $0.
But than again, JamPlay does have a cool scale library tool (which is great for intermediate-advanced players), the production quality of JamPlay videos is generally higher (the educational value is about the same), and they release more new lessons (granted, they already have too many for a lifetime of learning)…
You be the judge, take your pick. You could even sign up to test both, and just get a refund from the one you’re least satisfied with.
And remember to save some money, go to our posts on the Guitar Tricks discount and JamPlay coupon code before signing up with their service.
I bought the Jam Play yearly membership about 3 months ago. I have to say I am very satisfied and impressed how great this guitar course and want to thank you for your review on the your site. I am really seeing improvement in my guitar playing. This is a course I would recommend to purchase.
I purchased a 1 year sub to JAMPLAY on Christmas day, I’ve known about it for years but what brought me around was their Christmas promotion. $99 for an entire year. I figured this was too good to pass up. PLUS, by the end of my subscription it should be holiday season again and perhaps I will get that great discount again. Not sure if it’s for new subscribers only or not but at any rate, I plan to utilize this site to the absolute fullest because there are things I have wanted to learn my entire life, but wasn’t willing to pay the enormous amount of money to learn it, with JAMPLAY I finally have that opportunity.
I have looked at both Jamplay and Guitar Tricks. I found Jamplay to be some what impressive but hard to navigate,cluttered with useless “gadgets” and the instruction rather robotic from some instructors, on the other hand Guitar Tricks was warm,inviting,easy to navigate,the instruction was short sweet and to the point with tab and notes to accompany each lesson.This is such a structured site which can easily bring a beginner to an advanced/professional level provided you do your share and follow the suggestions on this site.I have found everything I will ever need to become the guitarist I’ve always dreamed of,oh by the way the cost is a steal compared to private lessons for one teacher,did I mention I have 45 teachers?
It is worth noting that if you can do a yearly subscription guitar tricks comes out to $10.75 a month and JamPlay is only about $11.66 – hardly a difference. That doesn’t take any coupon codes into account. At those prices, price is no longer really an issue when comparing the two. Look into each site and pick the one that looks best to you.