eMedia Releases New Version of Guitar Method CD-ROM

Jul 26, 2000

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eMedia Corporation announces the release of upgrade v. 1.2 to its Guitar Method I CD-ROM. A breakthrough in guitar instruction, Guitar Method I was cited as one of the "top 50 CD-ROMs of the year" for 1998 by Newsweek Magazine. The title ranks as the best-selling music-based CD-ROM for the past two years (PC Data sales figures).

New to the upgrade are dynamic features that revolutionize the learning process, such as an Animated Fretboard, Fretronome, enhanced audio soundtracks, and additional lessons. Also new to the title are options to read standard notation or guitar tablature, alternate guitar neck viewpoints and enhancements to the program's interface.

The program's Animated Fretboard displays a "virtual" guitar neck which shows fingerings for chords and notes as the music plays. This enables guitar students to learn with unprecedented ease, using synchronized audio and visual cues. Alternate viewpoints for the animated fretboard allow the student to view the guitar neck from "overhead" (self-reference) and "straight across" (teacher-reference) orientations. The fretboard can be reversed for left-handed players.

A Fretronome combines the functionality of a metronome with the Animated Fretboard. This displays notes and chords on the animated fretboard at any tempo, so that aspiring guitarists can play at a speed which best matches their skill level. Additionally, sections of songs can be "looped" for repetition as needed.

Vibrant, multi-track audio has been added to hit songs in all major genres on Guitar Method 1. In addition to guitar and vocals, classic songs ("Knockin' On Heaven's Door," "Rock N' Me," "House Of The Rising Sun," "Downtown Train," "La Bamba," "Midnight Special" and others) now feature bass, keyboard and drum accompaniment. The "sound-alike" recordings add musical spice to Guitar Method 1, which contains over 70 songs.

Twenty-five new lessons teach reading music, with new songs and exercises. Short-cut keys now provide one-key access to the program's functions, making it easier than ever for students to interact with their computer. Full-motion video featuring an on-screen teacher, along with builtin accessories consisting of an automatic tuner, recorder, chord dictionary with playback and -metronome, round out the features included on Guitar Method 1.

The upgrade of Guitar Method I will be available as of January 2000 at computer and music retail stores with an estimated street price of $59.95. As with all eMedia CD-ROM titles, Guitar Method I is available for both Windows and Mac platforms separately.

For more information, visit their web site at www.emedia.org.