eMedia Guitar Method 4.0, Vol. 1 – guest review by Jim Hilbert

eMedia Guitar Method 4.0, Vol. 1

Review by Jim Hilbert for MyMac.com

eMedia Guitar Method
Win/Mac CD-ROM – new version 4.0
$59.95
http://www.emediamusic.com/gm1.html

This tutorial program, which loaded on my computer very easily, is a good starting point for someone interested in playing guitar. It starts out with the basics, including:

• What the three types of guitars are, how to string and tune them, and what to look for in a playable student instrument.

• Next comes how to hold, strum, and finger the instrument. This is ably done with the help of short video clips and text.

• Included is a helpful automated fret board to familiarize the student with the various fingering positions. As seen in this screen capture:

As a beginner method should, eMedia Guitar Method Vol. 1 begins slowly, simply, and clearly. It uses three-string chords and well-know folk melodies during the first chapters, building chord and strumming complexity as the chapters progress. An added feature is the MIDI track which you activate by holding down on the audio play button. With this feature you can slow or speed up the music to suit your own tastes and ability.

By the end of Chapter 3 you will have learned thirteen different cords and have played at least that many songs.

Beginning with Chapter 4 you get into some fun material, including Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train” and Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” The addition of material like this makes the eMedia Guitar Method a real winner. It will give the student some great contemporary music to learn with. Even if the student is not familiar with the music it is some of the best music seen in a beginner method.

The tutorial then takes you through basic chord progression (I-IV-V) and with the help of the chord dictionary (including 250 chords) you can explore all over the guitar. There is an Internet link, at the end of the later chapters, to the eMedia web site that has recommended songs that will contain the chords and strumming structures you have just worked on in the previous chapter.

There are chapters on playing basic rock, blues, power chords, country, and more.

Next comes Tablature (TAB) with demonstrations of single note melodies and simple arpeggio finger picking and Travis style finger picking. The last chapter briefly illuminates the standard notation method with time signatures, sharps, flats, etc., along with 20 or so songs to practice reading standard notation.

I have played guitar for over 30 years, so when I first looked at the program I was not overly impressed. But after actually using the software and tutorials I found it fun to play along with the CD and how well thought out and clear the lessons are. eMedia provides many features like the built in recorder, metronome, and tuner to help out the budding guitarist. The AV clips, though small, are clear and presented simply and slowly by professional guitarist Kevin Garry, Ph.D. from the University of Colorado.

I would highly recommend this CD to anyone interested in learning to play the guitar.

MyMac.com rating: 4.5 out of 5

Jim Hilbert