Why Guitar Lesson Software?

While learning the guitar is a difficult task, we believe choosing the learning method to follow should be easy. Guitar lessons from a professional teacher can add up to more than the cost of a guitar in a few weeks. With guitar lesson software, you can get all of the benefits of professional guitar lessons without the intimidating price tag.

Guitar lesson software is often developed by professional musicians or accredited music teachers, offering you quality instruction and experienced assistance from your own computer.

For about the price of one or two private lessons you get:

• Built-in Tuner – Most programs offer a built-in tuner and tuning instructions. An electric tuner purchased separately can range anywhere from $15 to over $200.
• Metronome – An on-screen metronome helps you keep time; you can purchase these online separately with a price tag of just under $10 to well over $100.
• Chord Dictionary – An interactive chord dictionary not only displays the tablature for playing the chord, but also plays the sound of the chord. Paperback chord books cost about $3 to $25 and downloadable electronic versions are available for around $20.
• Lessons Taught by a Professional – Good programs offer quality instruction and often, video instruction as well. Private lessons range from a low price of $20 an hour to around $100 an hour. Multiple lessons can add up to more than the cost of your guitar in just a few weeks time.

Guitar lesson software is an amazing bargain. Just the price of 10 lessons and the equipment above could cost over $1000, and the best programs offer over 100 lessons and songs, include tuners, chord dictionaries and a metronome. For under $60 you can be well on your way to playing your favorite songs and having a great time.

In this site, you'll find articles on guitar lesson software, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side-by-side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which service is right for your guitar lesson needs. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

What to Look For in Guitar Lesson Software

Guitar lesson software should be able to teach you everything you need to know to begin playing your guitar with confidence. The best programs offer enjoyable lessons, familiar songs and all the tools necessary to keep your instrument tuned and you strumming in perfect rhythm. Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate guitar lesson software:

Ease of Use
Not all guitar players are computer experts, so the software should be easy to use for all ages and levels of experience. This rating takes into account menus, buttons and icons, as well as how the program presents the lessons.

Feature Set
The program's abilities and flexibility are important factors when evaluating guitar lesson software. The feature set should fit your needs, some programs offer left and right-handed instruction, guitar tuners, record and play back options and a variety of songs from multiple genres.

Ease of Installation
The level of difficulty involved in installing a product can range from 'no problems' to complete exasperation. Some products are easier to install or download then others, and some even require additional downloads. The best products land in the 'simple with no problems' range.

Lesson Coverage
Top-notch programs offer a variety of lessons, games and helpful visuals like an animated fretboard. Other instruction and interactive tools may include lessons on technique, chords, rhythm and intervals. The more lessons and tools available the more you can learn.

Practice Tools
Practice tools are interactive features that assist with your learning process and can add fun to it as well. These tools may include a metronome, a selection of learning games, an animated fretboard or record/playback options.

Help/Support
Good software offers multiple contact options and comprehensive help features. Email, telephone, fax and instant message are useful and quick forms of customer support. Other types of assistance that help with the use of the product include FAQs pages, product manuals, help menus and tutorials.

Above all, great guitar lesson software needs to be fun, effective and teach you to jam like a pro.