Most intermediate players don't need more lessons. They need a different kind of lesson. If you can play the minor pentatonic box, know a few licks, and still sound like you're running patterns over a backing track, the problem is usually how you practice, not how much you know. This guide helps you pick a course type that fixes that problem.
A note on method: we haven't hands-on tested every product mentioned here. The comparisons below rely on each provider's official pages and public information. Prices, lesson lists and trial terms change, so confirm current details on the official site before you pay.
What "stuck" soloing usually looks like
Before comparing courses, diagnose the issue. Most plateaus fall into one of these:
- Box-bound: you play one pentatonic position and can't get out of it.
- Lick-dependent: your solos are strung-together phrases, not ideas that develop.
- Chord-blind: you play "in the key" but your lines ignore chord changes.
- Rhythmically flat: every phrase starts and ends in the same places.
- Technique-limited: bends, vibrato or timing aren't clean enough to carry the idea.
Each of these calls for a different resource. A beginner app won't touch most of them, and a giant library won't tell you which one is yours.
The main course types, compared
| Type | Examples | Good for | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free structured lessons | JustinGuitar | Filling gaps in fundamentals at no cost | Broad by design; soloing is one part of a larger curriculum |
| Beginner-oriented apps | Fender Play, Yousician | Building habits and basic skills | Aimed mainly at newer players, so less depth on improvisation |
| Large subscription libraries | JamPlay, GuitarTricks, TrueFire | Variety, many teachers, many styles | You must build your own path; easy to browse instead of practice |
| Independent and teacher-led courses | Guitareo, Marty Music, Rock Guitar Universe, Paul Davids, Guitar Mastery Method, ArtistWorks | A specific teacher's approach; some offer feedback models | Quality and fit vary a lot by teacher and style |
| Focused soloing course | Adam Loves Guitar | Players who want one method aimed at soloing | Narrower scope; check the official page for what's covered |
How each type holds up for soloing
Free lessons: JustinGuitar
JustinGuitar is widely used and free to access, which makes it an obvious first stop. The question is whether it's enough for soloing specifically. We cover that in Is JustinGuitar enough to learn to solo, or do I need a separate soloing course? and compare it head-to-head in Adam Loves Guitar vs JustinGuitar.
Beginner apps: Fender Play and Yousician
These are built around guided, bite-sized progress. That's useful for habit-building, but the stuck-in-a-rut player has different needs. See Is Fender Play any good for intermediate guitarists who want to improvise? and the fuller comparison in Adam Loves Guitar vs Fender Play and Yousician.
Big libraries: JamPlay, GuitarTricks, TrueFire
Libraries give you range. The honest downside is that range isn't a plan. If you're disciplined enough to pick a path and stick to it, a library can work well. If you tend to hop between lessons, it can feed that habit. Two pages go deeper: subscription site vs one-off course for pentatonic soloing and Adam Loves Guitar vs JamPlay, GuitarTricks and TrueFire.
Independent courses and ArtistWorks
This is the most varied group. Teaching style matters more here than brand. If a feedback model is important to you, check the official page to see exactly how feedback works and what it costs. Our comparison of Adam Loves Guitar with Guitareo, Marty Music, Rock Guitar Universe, Paul Davids, Guitar Mastery Method and ArtistWorks lays out the differences.
Recommended for youAdam Loves Guitar vs JustinGuitar: Free Structured Lessons or a Focused Soloing System?A practical way to choose
- Name your plateau. Pick one item from the list above. If you can't, record yourself soloing over a backing track and listen back. The weak spot is usually obvious.
- Choose a course type that targets it. A chord-blind player needs chord-tone and arpeggio work. A lick-dependent player needs phrasing and motif development.
- Check the official syllabus. Look for lessons that match your problem, not just the word "soloing" in the title.
- Look at the refund or trial terms. Confirm them on the official site. Don't assume.
- Run a two-week test. Practice the material daily, then record the same backing track again. Compare the two takes.
Where a focused soloing course fits
If you've already covered the basics and want one method aimed squarely at soloing, a focused course is worth a look. Adam Loves Guitar is positioned that way. For a broader view of how it stacks up, start with Adam Loves Guitar vs Alternatives, then check the official page for current contents, pricing and terms.
The tradeoff is scope. A focused course won't replace a large library if you also want to learn jazz comping, fingerstyle and music theory from many teachers. It's a better fit if you'd rather follow one path than browse hundreds of lessons.
Whatever you pick, practice like this
- Spend part of each session on one idea (a bend, an interval, a rhythmic cell) instead of new licks.
- Solo over backing tracks with changes, not just a one-chord vamp.
- Limit yourself: three notes, one string, or one rhythm for a full chorus.
- Record and listen back. Your ears improve faster than your fingers.
No course guarantees a result. Progress depends on your practice time, your starting point and how well the material fits your problem. Choose the approach that targets your weak spot, test it briefly, and keep it only if your recordings improve.
Keep reading
Adam Loves Guitar vs Fender Play and Yousician: Beginner Apps vs a Soloing Course for Players Stuck in a RutShort answer: Fender Play and Yousician are built mainly around getting new players going: chords,…
Adam Loves Guitar vs JamPlay, GuitarTricks and TrueFire: Huge Lesson Libraries vs One Focused MethodShort version: if you need breadth (genres, styles, gear, songs, a bit of everything), a big librar…
Adam Loves Guitar vs Guitareo, Marty Music, Rock Guitar Universe, Paul Davids, Guitar Mastery Method and ArtistWorksIf you've been playing for years and your solos keep circling the same three box shapes, the questi…