New Guitar
Software To Help Improve Your Playing
After hours of
struggling along in front of your computer, completing your homework, work
reports, university assessments, or what not, you head for your guitar to let
the keyboard typing tension flow from your fingers into your strings.
However, as
some of you may have already discovered, you don't necessarily need to leave
your computer to get that relaxing feeling you get from picking up your
guitar!
Instead, let
your computer open up another dimension of guitar playing.
Today, there
is an abundance of computer software that can enhance your playing experience.
Software
ranges from the most small and basic shareware (some of which is quite
practical), to the extremely elaborate, technically advanced, and expensive
industry standard software. For people who are just starting to feel their way
around the world of guitar software, the choices can be quite confusing. Here
are some software applications that are definitely worth checking
out.
"I'm a Mac
user!"
The choice is
simple. If you are just starting to explore playing guitar and using computers
to enhance the experience, check out Garage Band (http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/).
It's available
in the iLife 04 software package. Garage Band is a thorough but simple
application that allows you to record, edit, and create your own music. It is
specifically designed for beginners to intermediate musicians, and includes
pre-recorded loops from multiple instruments with a drop and drag interface. You
can be your own one man band without even having to be able to read music!
Keep at it,
and you will eventually progress to serious musician. At this stage, you will
want to take a look at Logic Pro 7 (http://www.apple.com/logic/).
This could set
you back some serious pocket money and is recommended only for people mad about
their music. It uses plug-and-play and allows you to network computers to create
a massive audio lab. There is not much that Logic Pro 7 can't do.
"Hold up… I
use Windows!"
Not to worry,
Windows users have a far greater selection of software to choose from. But with
greater choice, comes the task of sorting out the good from the bad.
To save you
some time, check out Cakewalk (http://www.cakewalk.com/).
Cakewalk
offers numerous applications for the guitar user who is PC literate. They offer
software that ranges from to easy-to-use studio applications for all guitar
players (Guitar Tracks Pro), to sophisticated production tools (Sonar 4
Production Edition). Their website is worth a visit, as it lists in details all
their software and what you can achieve with it.
Another handy
piece of software exclusive to Windows users is Power Tab Editor (http://www.power-tab.net/).
As the name
suggests, it is a tablature editor specifically designed to create scores for
acoustic and bass guitars. It is designed for beginners and advanced players
alike. Smart inclusions are a chord and tuning dictionary and printable power
tab scores. Best of all, it's free and can be downloaded from the
website.
"Now that I've
married my guitar to my computer, is there anything else I should check
out?"
Of course,
there is plenty of stuff out there! To get you started, here are three very
practical websites that Guitar Tips Online recommends.
Have a look
around the Internet and guitar shops to get a better idea of the range of
software available. There is a lot to choose from, and it varies in quality and
price. Unfortunately the latter doesn't necessarily affect the former, so if the
software is going set you back some hard earned cash, always try to demo it
first.
