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.
