eMedia Guitar Method Reviews

Editor's Star Ratings:

Teaching Effectiveness:
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Costs:

• The official price for version 4 of the eMedia Guitar Method is $59.95, but can easily be found for the discount price of $49.95.
• Return policies will vary depending on the retailer.

 

Features:

• eMedia Guitar Method is a quality instructional software package which is ideal for the complete beginner.
• The latest version (4.0) features improved presentation and enhanced audio and video.
• There are over 160 lessons, arranged into ten chapters covering;
  • the basics of holding/stringing/tuning the guitar.
  • playing simple chords and melodies, building up to learning a new song at the end of each lesson.
  • fingerpicking styles
  • how to read tablature and standard music notation.
• Lessons include a variety of songs and exercises which play in both audio and MIDI format which allows you to slow down and speed up the track.
• As a song or exercise plays, you can follow along with the unique animated fretboard feature, which shows exactly which notes are being played in time with the audio track.
• There are 50 large format video lessons featuring multiple camera angles and closeups, with cheerful and effective instruction from teaching professional Kevin Garry, Ph.D.
• You can learn over 70 popular songs from artists like;
  • Bob Dylan
  • Grateful Dead
  • Tom Waits
  • Rolling Stones
• There are also plenty of popular classics like;
  • Greensleaves
  • Ode to Joy
  • Scarborough Fair
  • and many more.
• The package also includes;
  • A dynamic on-screen guitar tuner.
  • A chord dictionary with 250 diagrams and audio samples.
  • A digital metronome
  • A digital recorder to fine tune your skills and capture moments of inspiration.
• All of the written content is printable so you can take it with you on the go, or practice away from the computer.
• Mac and Windows compatible.

 

Editor's Verdict:

eMedia Guitar Method is a fully intergrated instructional software package designed to take the chore out of learning to play guitar from scratch. This latest version (4.0) includes over 160 lessons and 70 popular hits from artists like Bob Dylan and Steve Miller. There are also 50 large format and superb quality videos featuring professional guitar instructor Kevin Garry, Ph.D.

The overall quality of this package is absolutely superb; everything is beautifully presented, streamlined and easy to follow with lots of benefits for the first time learner. All the songs and exercises included in the software can be played in live recorded audio or in MIDI format for variable speed, and you can switch between tablature and music notation at any time. All of the video lessons feature split screen and close up camera angles so you can clearly see the specifics of finger positioning and technique, and there is also an excellent animated fretboard feature that follows the speed of the MIDI track, so you can learn at your own pace.

The extra software that comes with the eMedia method is also of the highest quality. You can tune your guitar quickly and easily with the automatic tuner by playing into your computer's microphone, or if you don't have a mic, you can use the handy reference tones to tune your instrument to any configuration. Another great feature is the chord dictionary, which provides diagrams and audio samples of 250 chords. Other extras include a digital metronome and a very useful digital recorder which allows you fine tune yours skills by comparing your recordings to the instructor's examples.

All in all, this is a great little package, but it certainly isn't the most extensive learning method on the market. The main thrust of the program is introducing new chord shapes and patterns and working towards learning a new popular song at the end of the lesson. This is an engaging and effective way of learning, but there some gaps in the content and if you're looking for a complete and expansive training in the guitar you might find you have to turn to other sources to get a more rounded view. The content that is covered in the eMedia package is of an excellent standard, and the whole product has a professional and effortless feel which is very appealing, but there are other alternatives on the market which offer a far more complete learning resource. That said, eMedia Guitar Method is very good value for money and very few other products match the overall sheen and polish of this software. A good, affordable and hassle-free option for the beginner.

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