Guitar Games Blog

Note Squish is now available as an app for iPhone, iPod, or iPad. It adds several new features including bass and C-clef. Also listen for a groovy new sound track!

Note Squish for iPhone

Check it out at the app store!

GuitarGames.net announces the release of a revolutionary approach to learning scales on the guitar: The Simple Scale System. All scales and arpeggios are patterns of notes that can be broken down into small simple patterns. Rather than relying on large scale charts, the Simple Scale System uses only two small basic scale patterns over and over.

Super Scale System - Screen Shot

Most guitar scale systems use at least five scale patterns covering all six strings. Multiply this by ten or twenty scale types (e.g. major, minor, pentatonic, mixolydian, Dominant 7s, Major 7s, etc.) and a player is left with a monumental task. By comparison the Simple Scale System uses only two patterns, which only cover three or four strings. This reduces the number and size of patterns by about 75%!

The Simple Scale System is able to reduce the number of patterns by a new approach to learning scales. The guitar’s tuning is “fixed” to an equal tuning during the early phases of learning. This allows all scale patterns to be moved anywhere on the fretboard without alteration. Large scales can then be built easily from small repeating scale patterns. Students are taught to adjust these patterns to fit standard tuning and the process is complete.

A tutorial on how to use the system is available free in the courses section of GuitarGames.net.

A few updates on Super Scale Trainer worth mentioning:

1. A counter showing where you are within a song was added.
   

   Measure Counter For Songs

2. Also a “Restart” button was added to start songs over. Previously the only option was to keep hitting next, which was not convenient for longer songs.
   

   Restart Button Added

3. An “Equal Tuning” option was added to the guitar view. This changes the guitar’s tuning to all fourths (E A D G C F). More on why anyone would want to do such a thing soon.
   

   Equal Tuning Option

4. Doubled notes were removed in “Position” mode. Previously notes would show double for some scales when they appeared on both the second and third string.
   

   Doubled Notes Removed

I am pleased to announce an iPhone version of our Music Theory Calculator tool. It contains more than 1500 scales, chords, and intervals. The calculator displays note names and plays examples of all of them.

Much like an ordinary calculator speeds up math, Music Theory Calculator speeds up the process of making music. From “C major” to “G9” to “F whole-tone” to “C# Altered Dominant”, Music Theory Calculator will give you the note names and an audio example in an instant.

It’s been too long now since I’ve updated the blog! Last I wrote, my iPhone app had just come out. Guitar Workout has had some success, but the reviews haven’t been great. I was half-way finished with a second app, when I reconnected with a publisher wanting to put out a Guitar Games Book. The last several months I’ve been working on nothing but the book. It should come out later this year and I’m very happy with how it came out. It’s fun, of course, but has some good info on theory and ear training which grew out of the courses on this site.

That brings me to the reason for my post: plans for this year. Here goes-

I’ve been learning Blender (an open-source 3D graphics and game creation tool) and I’m hoping to incorporate some 3D style graphics into a game. Also I’ve put together a prototype of a game that could be played with a real guitar that I think has potential. While writing the book I updated some of the games and I’d like to port those changes over to the site. Including an easier first level on Key Hunt, and rebirth within a level (rather than always having to start at the beginning).  One area that seems lacking in the games is rhythm. A few games for studying rhythm might be nice. Blogging more often and finishing our first movie (a seven minute intro to reading music and rhythm) would be good. I’m half-way finished and it would be a pity to leave it at that.

Lastly, I’ve decided a change in tone around here would be nice. What I mean is, I’d like to let people in to the development process. A little behind-the-scenes view, and community involvement I think would improve the site. My exposure to the open-source community has inspired me that great things can be accomplished when talent is pooled together. Its my hope that the games and resources on the site will benefit from this new tone. I welcome feedback on this, but my plan is to chart work in progress so ideas and user input can be incorporated into the final product.

Nothing like a little heathy competition to get you motivated. For June we’ll have a competition for Birds of Fretopia. We’ve reset the high scores to level the playing field. The previous high was 1092 by Michael Moore (A very good score indeed!). The person who has the high score on June 30th, 2009 at 3pm PST wins! What do they win you ask. Our new T-shirt! And their name will appear in our monthly newsletter. So get in there and have fun. Be careful though, you might learn something along the way.

Just finished our first T-Shirt. Proclaim your abilities to play a real guitar to the world. See if they have one in your size at Zazzle.com.

Our new mini-course on music theory is out. In it you will learn about intervals. But, not in the usual boring way. We found a new boring way to teach it. Um, I mean a great exciting approach never before tried. Most theory texts start with explaining a concept and having you figure out notes on a page. As an afterthought they have you do some ear training on the subject. We’ve turned this proccess on its head and introduce intervals first by ear and then by theory! Why? Two reasons. First of all this is music we are talking about, sound not dots on a page. So theory should be at the service of sound and not the other way around. Starting with training your ear helps in this process. Secondly, our way is the original way theory developed. Theorists heard music they wanted to emmulate and came up with theory to explain it. First they heard, then they explained. Try out the new course and see what a difference it makes! (Hey, it’s also more fun this way)