Fender Play: Songs & Lessons Reviews

by Timpanglao

Maybe i didnt spend enough time with it, or not patient enough to follow their structure, but i am not impressed. I am still somewhat of a beginner guitar player, so what would have been nice is to yes learn chords and the appropriate songs with those chords so i immediately feel i have progression. Example i chose different songs and each one in the video shows me the chord fingering, if i already learnt C,G, A, Em....i dont need a video on that, yes i can fast forward but it tediuos. What would be nice is to see the guitar tab/ chords and play along, however at best i might get 8bars if i goto full screen you cannot play the video, or rather i just want to play along with the track but you can’t do that.
Would be nice if you could filter songs based on Chords and the tutorial goes through the progression or strummimg pattern. Some of the structure of FenderPlay is about a few riffs which is ok - but not that usefull. Sorry but not worth the subscription - i was hoping the fender app would complement my JustinGuitar not the case. I am not bashing Fender, i have a Strat and a Mustang Amp and their Tone app which is great- hope this feeback is useful

by Real Gamer Here

I liked this from the start but I am in the second level and the instructors do an absolutely terrible job at informing the viewer of what is coming up next in a chord progression. The tab doesn’t show up so I can’t follow along. It also doesn’t scroll so I can’t play along event Shawn the tab does show up. I can’t even pause to practice because the video control blocks the list of chords. So many things add up to a terrible experience. I wish there was a way that I could play along more easily. The instructors need to pause between chord progressions. You can’t assume everyone can just jump right in and be perfect at it. I will still use FenderPlay but it’s really not the experience I wanted. I think o might go back to You Tube. I think I learned at a more steady pace. Frustration. I have thrown my pick down more than once because of how poorly these “instructors” actually instruct. I watched 4 videos in a row on what the strings were called but when it comes to chord progressions they fly right through it. Sad.

by Strike Me Down

I downloaded FenderPlay without paying much attention to the details. (Stupid move). So a few days later my cc is charged $11- The MONTHLY fee. So I said what the hell, might as well take advantage of my purchase. I was thinking it would be interactive as in FenderPlay would “listen” to your playing and if you passed the course you would then move on to more advanced lessons. Well this is definitely not that. It’s essentially a bunch of videos where they baby step you into guitar playing. There’s no music, no graded progression... the play along literally gives you a link to the iTunes version of the song, so you can buy that and play along. I can’t believe I wasted $11 and furthermore had I not canceled I would have been paying 11 bucks every month for a bunch of video clips of someone playing guitar. Just not what I was expecting. Maybe it’s the right format for some people but not me. I hate FenderPlay. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because FenderPlay is well made from a clean, easy to navigate standpoint.

by Guitarist Rob

I love my Fender stuff. Got a 68 custom deluxe, my baby is an 05 American Deluxe V Neck Strat, got a highway one strat, a dingy little squire strat that surprised the crap out of me, and a lot of merch including bar stools.

I’m giving this 2 stars, because where did Fender Songs go? I’m using FenderPlay occasionally to make song and lyric learning much faster, but it’s disappeared from FenderPlay Store. I cant put it on my iPhone, even though i paid for a year of it. What’s going on? i even downloaded FenderPlay thinking it must have been integrated but upon attempting to restore purchases, it acts like i have not purchased any plans. Why am i being punished for buying into another Fender produc?. I’m lucky i didn’t delete FenderPlay from the iPad or I wouldn’t even be able to get my money’s worth out! Please advise!

by EvNChris

I signed up for Fender Play so excited to get started. I had played guitar a decade ago but stopped due to life. The pandemic has forced me to appreciate everything. I love the FB community so much! The biggest gripe I have is that they don’t offer a left-handed option. I play left and am just asking for a simple toggle in the settings that allows you to pick the orientation. The videos don’t even need to change just update the chord charts, etc. I don’t think that would be difficult. I’ve put in several feature requests but Fender acts like “whatever.” I’m starting on Yousician that does allow lefties! Fender stop the discrimination!! Also following the practice lessons can be difficult if you don’t use the metronome as you have to keep scrolling to see the page. A zoom out feature may be a good option to have or even a reading option for songs so everything is on the same page.

by Jacob Van Order

Fender’s instructional pace is nice and they really get down to the nuts and bolts of how to play music but FenderPlay is lacking.

Most egregious of all is the streak counter. Most times, it fails to update itself or have the correct date or number of practice sessions. I’ve found that if I kill FenderPlay entirely and then practice, it is usually right but weeks have passed where I didn’t get credit for practicing. This is fine but kind of weird that a function that they push with marketing campaigns and push notifications doesn’t work.

Other than that, I think allowing the video to be put into the corner so that I can focus on the sheet music would be helpful. I use my iPad while practicing and more than half the screen is obfuscated by the video and I can’t see ahead to the next set of chords are unless I take my hands off the guitar to scroll.

FenderPlay is a nice cross platform app, though. It rarely crashes and the design is really nice. Of course I wish it hooked into my guitar interface and listened to see if I was hitting notes correctly but I know that’s a heavy ask for a cross platform app.

by Osiris42

I’m a beginner, and while I like fender play, it’s missing a couple things that would make it much better. A simple thing is that the tabs don’t scroll along with this lesson, or auto scroll when you practice on your own. Consequently, you can’t see the sheet music while you’re playing along. You can only see one line at a time. It’s a simple thing but has really hampered my progress. Also I don’t know why they don’t include the lyrics along with the tab, they even say how you should sing along with the song, but don’t make that available to you.

I signed up for the full year, and now I regret it because I think I’d rather try something like yousician that gives you feedback as well as has these other features.

by TahoeFlyer

I’m a light intermediate bassist after 6 months but want to get better. I started with FenderPlay to see about picking up things I may have missed and work on improvement.

I am *very* glad that I did not start my bass learning with FenderPlay. While technically ok, it doesn’t really pull you into the feel of the music and the fun of playing. It also breezes over a lot of things that actually take some work to learn, while spending too much time in other areas. And at times it really feels like it’s a long Fender advertisement (which is ok, but there’s more out there!) Overall, FenderPlay is just not nearly as enjoyable and motivating as it could be to get you hooked playing a new instrument.

FenderPlay is heavy on technique - which is good, but at least early on is very light on theory or assumes vocabulary and scale knowledge that you may or may not have. I also find their reliance on just tabulature notation alone to be disconcerting. Tab has lots of good things about it but really misses a lot, especially when trying to teach rhythm. Luckily, there are lots of places out there to learn more.

I started learning with Josh Fossgreen’s BassBuzz - and am very happy that I started there. There are also other good folks out there for beginning lessons. After you have some comfort, come back and pick up things that maybe you missed before, and use FenderPlay to get better.

by Pjspeare

Fender Play has been the BEST instruction for someone like me in my mid to late 50’s trying to learn to play guitar. I have had fender play just over a year now and it’s been great being able to repeat or move on if I feel ready or even sometimes just feeling I need to move on to do something new. My fingers aren’t the best in transition, but I can tell that I have gotten better in the last year by quite a bit. I’m just still very raw I guess due to my age and never having played before. I love the instructors throughout all the levels and I love that all the lessons are like quick hitters and then you practice and then they teach you a riff from so many different songs. I just hope I can see this through and actually be playing someday even this late in my life.

by Genzeb

I am brand new to guitar. So far I like FenderPlay. It is what I needed — lesson plans that start from zero and progress rapidly.

How I use it is on my Apple TV using the airplay option. That, however, doesn’t work for the audio only practices. So I need to disable airplay in order to get the audio out on my phone.

Given these lessons are also available on the Fender website, I can imagine making an Apple TV app for very minimal effort (if you need help, reach out to me :-). I know market analysis will tell you only a small fraction of users do it this way but those of us on Apple TV would be forever grateful and I promise it can be done in one day (including App Store submission).

by Guywhoneverhascash

I’ve been learning for about 2 weeks from FenderPlay and I’ve been getting quite annoyed by the videos themselves. They’re unresponsive at time when trying to rewind, pause or to even access the video controls. And that when the video controls are up, the block the chord progressions. It makes it worse that you can’t pause the video without blocking the progressions. I’ve also been having trouble with FenderPlay loading up, but none of the content appearing, and only for it to crash when tapping the “levels button.” Other than these specific annoyances the information is remarkably good. You learn with a mixture of slow exercises to then utilize them in songs. All while practicing various other things

by Mike Littt

So it looks good. I am a new to the guitar and I’m am excited about learning. This ap seems like it’s made to accommodate even the slowest learners.

Some improvement, I use FenderPlay on my phone and in practice mode the screen doesn’t turn sideways. This is a hide problem because the music sheet is small and harder to read. Rotate it so it’s mandatory and let the music sheet run across the screen (from right to left). Have a stationary colored bar align with the notes you’re suppose to play when you’re suppose to play them. Please add an option where I can play with the song so I know what I’m suppose to sound like. It could be a simple switch. Either play with or without the music.

Thank you for FenderPlay .

by Neer Do Well

In all it’s a great app, when it lets you log in.
I finally decided to get a subscription so I choose plan. Got a message stating that signing up for the subscription was successful. Next window pops up asking to choose a plan or sign in. So each time I signed in It kept displaying the message, Choose a plan. And I check my subscription list in my settings and it shows up as currently subscribed to Fender play. I already contacted customer support and I have yet to hear back. The four stars are for when it works and let’s you sign in. When it was free it worked very well. So if it’s ok with Fender let go back to the free trial at least then it let me login.

by Stev2k17

The Fender Play app is extremely well made and organized. I decided to pick up guitar during the lockdown and FenderPlay has lessons that are a good size where you feel meaningful progress can be made while still being able to pause whenever you like. The video instructions are quite well done. Being able to review previous videos and training material is a great plus. FenderPlay also seems to offer plenty of tutorials on how to play songs. I haven’t spent much time on those since I still a beginner but they seem equally well done as the rest of FenderPlay .

by Livey2018

I am so happy about FenderPlay but one thing about it is that it cost $50 a month after your 2 week trial but other that that it is the best way to learn your ukulele I definitely recommend it to you it has been my 3 week of learning the ukulele and I have been taking my time I usually practice every other day after school I am now learning to transition into different notes and the best part is you can ask questions to who ever is teaching you I am a little bit weird but I like to play my ukulele backwards and they said it is ok as long as I tone it backwards so I did and I am having no trouble with FenderPlay what so ever they also show videos on how to do everything step by step I definitely recommend this to you and if you get FenderPlay I really hope you love it as much as I do!

by Becoming Mindful

From the onset let me extend my apologies for any grammatical errors that make the reading of his review 😁
The fender play app has allowed me to pursue a life’s ambition of learning to play the guitar by permitting in-home training at a pace and schedule that fits into the craziness that is home life.
One of the greatest benefits of the training stems from the requirement to take a few moments out of each crazy day of thing called life and focus on myself ( not something I am good at ). The lessons are not only helping me learn to play also develop a greater level of “Mindfulness” and innermost peace, if put for the briefest moment 🤦‍♂️
Thank you Fender

by ORHobbes

This Fender play app is far more intuitive and user-friendly than Gibson’s app or other independent apps such as Yousician.

And the fact that they give you a 10% discount on all merchandise from the sender website, including guitars, is a huge bonus.

The only feature Fender is missing in FenderPlay is that it will not listen to you playing and give you feedback.

The other apps use the built-in microphone to listen to you as you play and let you know if you are hitting the notes correctly or missing the notes and then gives you a score at the end.

That would be really beneficial, and if Fender added that feature I doubt I would ever use any other app for learning guitar anymore.

It is also a bit of a bummer that Febder did not put a tuner inside the fender play app. Instead they make you go to a separate Fender Tune app if you want to check the tuning for your Fender Play lesson.

All the other apps have a tuner built-in to the lesson app rather than making you go back-and-forth between two apps.

by Td4wg77

I am completely new to learning an instrument other than the 2 weeks in Jr. high on a sax., so when I was given a Epiphone SG and an amp because I have always been curious to play I was like now what? I started browsing and searching the net and found descent reviews of Fender play and I was familiar with their name of guitars so I tried the trial and after it was over signed up and have been moseying along ever since. I can go at whatever pace I need for the week the hard part is trusting in the method but if you let go and just do the modules it will start to come together. I also got a basic theory book on rock and blues helps set up a practice regiment with Fender play.

by Graphic Funk

If you are new to the guitar do not hesitate and get Fender Play. If you are early intermediate do get it. Playing a new instrument does not happen overnight. There are truly no shortcuts and an effort on your part will be required along with lots of patience. At first results are slow, so buckle up.
Fender Play will help you get the ball rolling. It will start your journey with basics and offer you material to get satisfaction. To its credit, fender play has many instructors to teach you fundamental techniques and the moment you begin to progress you will lots of songs to play. But, if you are a newbie, remember it all starts with small bites and patience and perseverance. Stick with Fender Play and without doubt you will succeed.

by Tuckaveli

FenderPlay has help me move from playing in private to not being embarrassed at all to play in front of people (on bass and guitar). All in the span of two years. I now have my kids using it, and I love being able to switch paths easily and learning the songs, which helps me write my own songs. Will there ever be a 5-String bass and 7-String guitar lesson added? I have a 5-String bass and learned through experimenting how to incorporate the B string. I plan on getting a 7-String guitar, and it would be great to have pros show me, to avoid experimenting. Would take nothing away from FenderPlay , here’s an extra ⭐️

by Flukezilla

Typically I don’t review apps but this one....this one I felt the needed to. It’s under 100 bucks a year which is totally reasonable and I don’t have an issue with that. My issue is with the content. Video is easy to follow and well put together but the instructors are like drones. I mean painfully boring. How can you relate to someone that sounds like a disinterested politician? Now onto the content. If you are a complete noob or just want a refresher to get back into playing you would think “Fender” would be a good resource. NOPE!!! This is so basic you can rip through the entire program in like 5 days and find yourself asking, “Now what?” Personally I think Fender makes great guitars but their instructional content is garbage. Look around and you will find better online lessons.

by C Petway

Didn’t see a customer support email so decided to try here. I bought a subscription to fender play and having problems. First time I tried it worked as it should. It asked my name, email and such then for payment. But then nothing happened. Tried it again and it keeps starting from step 1. Tried it over 5 times and it keeps asking me to subscribe when I already have subscribed yet it doesn’t send me to the part where it says pick what your playing: either bass, electric, acoustic or the last one I forgot. Please help me!! I’ll change the stars when I get a fix for it.

by Sparten 459

For what it is; it’s a great app to learn from, but what I hate is the lack of varied music genres: pop, rock, blues, and country are wide terms for music, and their over all choice of songs is lacking. Especially in the rock department, as far as I could find because of a lack of an actual search option: I couldn’t find any Metallica, FFDP, and only a few AC/DC if I remember correctly. I guess I’m just mad that Fender bought, then shut down Riff Station. I hadn’t found any other app that allowed you to learn the very basics of any song from my obscure favorite of Der Erste Schritt with it’s beautiful acoustic to literally anything Linkin Park. I’d gladly pay the subscription if they had an eighth of the songs.

by Sonnydoug

I recently bought my 1st guitar a squire strat fender, I love almost everything about FenderPlay. Only thing is when the instructor is telling playing music with us we have to listen to them tell us to switch vs reading the chords. It’s extremely hard playing my guitar and the instructor playing his and trying to listen to his voice for the change. We should be able to read them music as we are playing not just hear the instructor. Maybe adding the chords to the bottom on the video so it is much easier keeping up and following along.

by DocSalchow

I’m enjoying FenderPlay ; however, it is difficult to follow the tabs, even on my iPad Pro, because the video takes more than half the screen. Online, via the website, when you scroll up on the tags, the video minimizes and gives you a larger view of the tabs, which makes following along so much better. How is it that the online version has more features than FenderPlay ?

Also, it sure would be nice if the tabs were synchronized with the video, at least then I wouldn’t need to try scrolling as much.

That being said - my fingers hurt, so I must be doing something right.

by Classic Jazz

I didn’t know where to start when I decided to learn how to play the guitar. So I went to a pawn shop and bought a 50 dollar guitar and then found the Fender app. This thing is great. I can use it once a day or three times a day. It is ready whenever I have time and the lessons start just where I need them to start, right at the beginning. So having turned 61 years old I have found something that I am clearly horrible at that I plan to get better at. That’s pretty cool for an old guy and the Fender app is making it possible.

by Blonde Samantha

I just purchased my guitar today. I brought the guitar home, and downloaded the Fender Play App. FenderPlay starts at the very beginning. For a beginner like myself, this is great! The instructors patiently take you through setting up your equipment. You learn the string names. The instructors add in a simple pneumonic device to help you remember the strings. (Easter Bunny gets dizzy at Easter) How easy is that?!
I am just getting started tonight, but I can already tell that this is going to be a learning method that I can stick with.

Samantha F.
Seattle

by The Lifetime Student

Fist and fore most, I’m a drummer, but after missing out on a few paying gigs because I couldn’t play any other instruments... I picked up the the bass. I figure I would stay with the rhythm section, plus for ever 10 guitar players there’s maybe 1-2 bassist. But I digress ...this fender online class is really informative with easy to follow instructions and instructors that seem to really enjoy the instrument. So for anyone how’s looking for an online instruction class for the beginner or even those who’ve needed to add a little something to their playing, check out this class.

by LI Aerial

I’ve been toying around with guitars nearly 40 years. Never had time or patience for formal lessons until I came across Fender Play. The lessons are short and simple to learn and within minutes I’m playing the correct way! I often train online in front of my computer, or take in lessons on my phone or iPad while waiting in the doctors office. You can even go over a particular lesson again until you fully understand. So far, so good!