Classic+Rock+Guitar+Volume+1

__Program__: Classic Rock Guitar Vol. 1 __Published by__ Ubi Soft Entertainment [|www.ubi.com] Copyright 1996 For Windows only Sound Blaster compatible sound card, guitar required For Intermediate to Advanced players General Music/Methods Class
 * General Information:**

Classic Rock Guitar Vol. 1 has over 80 lesson and 180 exercises designed for 8 acoustic song arrangements. The 8 songs are famous classic rock tunes, including hits such as “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Blackbird” by Lennon & McCartney, and “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley. The manual has very comprehensive instructions, and includes a large amount of information on each of the 8 songs. However, since the program is growing old, there is no online or phone help from Ubi Soft anymore.
 * Teacher Support**

This drill-and-practice program is one where the students learn by imitating video they see on screen. The video is accompanied by audio instruction and full tablature for each piece and exercise. The students will have to know or learn how to read guitar tablature, identify chords, develop multiple styles of plucking, strumming, and picking, and learn how to utilize techniques such as hammer-ons, slides, and harmonics. The language, notation, and techniques used and discussed are appropriate for someone who feels very comfortable on guitar, but it is recommended that they are physically able to play things such as barre chords and have a good handle on picking both with a pick and fingers before they begin instruction with this software.
 * Instructional Content**

National standards that could be addressed using this software are:

2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music. 5. Reading and notating music. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music.

This is an intuitive program once you learn how to navigate through the various menus. Students pick one of 8 songs, and then can either hear the song played acoustically with vocals, without vocals, with only vocals, or in a series of lesson designed to “teach” the student how to play the song and utilize various techniques in the song. Each lesson consists of about 10-12 mini-lessons that will focus on one aspect of the song, say the verse chords or the first riff. Once the student completes the lessons, they should be able to competently play the song. Full tablature is available for each song and lesson.
 * Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness**

The interface is simple in that there are few buttons and unnecessary graphics, but the buttons themselves are not intuitive at all. For example, the button that looks like a record takes you back to the main menu, while the guitar-shaped button exits the program. However, there is no indication of what any button does until you press it. Once you get past the initial learning curve, however, the stylistic simplicity of the menu is appreciated.

There is no record keeping function on this program. Students can jump back and forth to whichever lesson or song they want.
 * Record Keeping**

This is a fun, useful tool for the aspiring guitarist who is interested in learning how to play like Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, or Jimi Hendrix. The songs are accessible and the lessons are concise and useful. The only downsides are the initially confusing menu and that there are only 8 songs. Once you finish them, you’ll wish there were more! Rating:+++
 * Overall Evaluation**

Reviewed by: Andy Boron, 4-11-06