Guitar instructional software

Software isn’t just for productivity and video games. You can learn to play guitar, piano and other instruments all from your home PC or MAC. Is it as good as using a video lesson or taking a private guitar lesson? Quite honestly that depends on the person learning I think. Some people enjoy using the software because it’s very interactive. It integrates images, videos, and text all into one place and links it back and fourth. You’re easily able to use pictures, videos or text to understand particular parts of guitar.

So what guitar instruction software programs are available? Honestly there are far more dvd and videos lessons out then straight computer programs, but we’ll go over some of the more popular ones.

e-media Guitar Method

This is probably the most well known guitar instructional software available. It’s now in it’s fourth version and the same instructor is still teaching it. This program integrates more then 300 videos, 70 songs (with band tracks) and a ton of written practice content for a steal of a deal (at the time of this writing under $50 bucks). The program is geared towards beginners more so then intermediate or advanced players, but if you’ve been teaching yourself with a book and you’ve mastered the basic chords you could still learn a lot from this program.

Jamorama

While maybe not a piece of guitar instructional software it does include similarities to programs like Guitar method. Jamorama is a downloaded guitar lesson course that integrates videos, digital ebooks, PC games, and sound clips to help you teach yourself to play guitar. The price is similar to Guitar Method but I don’t think it has the same following that eMedia’s product does.

I have to say though if you’re looking to learn to play songs fast on the guitar, and you have no education as to chords, strumming techniques etc. then Jamorama is well worth the investment.

The down sides to Software?

One of the down falls of learning from guitar instructional software is the fact that you have to use a computer when you want to learn. personally i like the ability of watching videos on a dvd player or my computer and then having a printed supplemental manual or practice guide to refer to when I’m not around the TV or PC. My personal favorite course is Learn and Master guitar, the program comes with 10 dvds, a printed lesson book and 10 jam-a-long cds.

The upside of Software?

The filp side of the coin with guitar instructional software is that everything is in one place and it’s easy to use. So if you want to watch a video or look at a picture of how to make and play an E chord it’s likely all right there. Versus having to goto a book for the information with some other courses. Which is the better alternative? Hard to say, both methods will provide a similar outcome if you put in the work, it’s just a matter of what way you enjoy learning better.

More Resources:
Detailed eMedia Guitar Method Review
Learn and Master Guitar Home Page
My Learn and Master Guitar Review