eMedia has come out with some outstanding "learn to play an instrument" software packages. There are very titles out there that present instruction in a way that is easy to understand and fun to use yet still accomplishes the educational goals that it sets out to complete. The My Guitar software from eMedia is one that stands out in the field of learn to play guitar software packages.

Getting Started With My Guitar:

When a beginner launches My Guitar for the first time they are introduced to a talking animated guitar character that guides them step by step through the basics of how to hold and pluck a traditional acoustic guitar. It makes distinctions between the classical and steel guitar, and goes on to show representations of the different sizes of guitar to help the beginning guitarist feel confident in their choice of instrument.

Learning To Play The Guitar With Gary:

Once the basics are explained "Gary the Guitar" guides the learner into a sequential series of basic chords and strumming techniques. The instruction moves at the perfect pace for a young beginning musician, spending several minutes on each chord before combining it with others to create full length songs. The songs used are common children's songs that are well known by most students and adults.

Games Help Learners Reinforce New Information:

At the end of each chapter students are treated to a simple point and click game to help reinforce the chord finger positions. This is the only part of the software that is less than stellar in performance in that each game is basically the exact same as the one before with the exception of using a different background and theme. It is a shame that a little more variety could not have been built into the games in this otherwise exemplary piece of guitar software.

Additional Features and Drawbacks of the My Guitar Software:

Also included in the software is an electronic tuner and audio recorder, both of which require a microphone to work properly although the tuner can play a basic tone to allow the learner to tune their guitar manually. An electronic metronome and chord dictionary are also provided. One final drawback is that the software seems to end too soon. By the end of the instruction the learner has just begun to learn tablature and has only mastered a handful of chords. Luckily eMedia also sells a more advanced learn to play guitar product titled the eMedia Guitar Method which looks and feels quite similar to the My Guitar program as well as to the eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method , but with much more advanced concepts and chords.

Overall the My Guitar product is one of the best that this reviewer has seen in terms of commercial "learn to play guitar" software packages. With very few flaws and a fun overall theme this software comes highly recommended.