“It’s designed for everybody, from the newbie guitarist to the absolute rock star,” R.J. says
Do you find your phone filling up with dozens of (often unused) guitar apps? Well, delete ‘em all and download the new Gibson app, which truly is “the only guitar app you’ll need.”
Developed by Gibson in conjunction with Stockholm-based music tech company Zoundio, the app provides “two-way, interactive and immersive guitar-learning” with guided step-by-step lessons for both electric and acoustic guitar players, in multiple genres and styles. And it does this by employing Audio Augmented Reality (AR), which interacts with players and creates an additional real-time guitar layer.
Additionally, there’s instructions for hundreds of songs, with the AR tech “listening” to your playing and offering feedback in real time.
But the Gibson app is not just a great learning tool – it’s also so much (really, so much) more. Features include early access to interviews with Gibson artists and video tutorials, Gibson TV shows like Icons, Riff Lords and The Collection, a high-value digital guitar tuner, a Gibson online store and a virtual guitar tech, among others.
(Image credit: Gibson)
But don’t just take our word for it. Check out what R.J. Ronquillo, noted guitarist, YouTuber and all-around “edu-tainer,” has to say about it in the above demo video. “A few years back I made a video called 'the top five apps for guitarists,'” R.J. comments. “But it’s 2021 so I figured it’s time for an updated list. But instead of a new top five apps list I actually just have one app – one – that does it all.”
That app, of course, is the Gibson app, which, he says, “I’ve been really digging, and I think beginner and even expert guitarists will enjoy it, too.”
Indeed, the all-in-one app serves guitarists at every level, and R.J. walks us through some of the awesome features, including the fully-featured tuner (which, for the beginners out there, even includes a lesson on how to tune your guitar), the metronome and the virtual tech service, which offers a free one-on-one consultation with a Gibson certified tech.
From there, R.J. scrolls through the Gibson TV section of the app, checking out everything from artist interviews to live performances to travelogues on famous musical landmarks.
The most exciting feature, I think, is the guided interactive learning experience, which is kind of like a fun video game. It’s designed for everybody, from a newbie guitarist to the absolute rock star
R.J. Ronquillo
“But the most exciting feature, I think, is the guided interactive learning experience, which is kind of like a fun video game,” R.J. says. “It’s designed for everybody, from a newbie guitarist to the absolute rock star.”
And with that, R.J. grabs his guitar – a new Gibson SG Standard ‘61 from the Core Collection, for those keeping score at home – to take us on a tour of the groundbreaking instruction technology.
First, he shows us how, in the basic skills section, players can follow either a lead guitar or rhythm guitar path, and then begin learning skills accordingly – and immediately.
What’s more, there’s truly no setup involved. All you need is a guitar and a pair of headphones – no amps or cables necessary – to get started.
In the lead guitar section, you can study power chords, licks, riffs and scales, while the rhythm guitar path offers deep tutorials on open chords, chord changes, strumming patterns and barre chords
In the lead guitar section, you can study power chords, licks, riffs and scales, while the rhythm guitar path offers deep tutorials on open chords, chord changes, strumming patterns and barre chords.
Next, R.J. jumps to the songs section. “And here is where it gets fun,” he says, showing off the wide-ranging list of classic and contemporary songs to select from. “You have pop, metal, alternative, R&B… almost every genre,” he says. “And the way you learn them is very much like a video game.”
R.J. decides to start off with an oldie but a goodie: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.
“Usually there’s four different levels of instruction to choose from, but it kind of depends on the song,” he says.
If you’ve ever played Guitar Hero or Rock Band it’s a similar idea. You’re just playing an actual guitar with it
R.J. Ronquillo
For Sweet Home Alabama, the levels on offer are Rookie, Campfire, Garage and Rockstar, and R.J. goes with Campfire, which presents a more beginner/intermediate-focused lesson using primarily open chords, power chords and barre chords.
Then we jump into the lesson, which employs a fun and educational scrolling-tab-and-audio combination.
“If you’ve ever played Guitar Hero or Rock Band it’s a similar idea,” R.J. points out. “You’re just playing an actual guitar with it.”
Next, he jumps over to another classic, Booker T. and the M.G.’s Green Onions, and selects “Newbie” mode to demonstrate how even someone picking up a guitar for the first time can begin playing along almost immediately.
Finally, R.J. dives into another incredible aspect of the learning tool – the video-guided song instruction. He selects the Beatles’ Please Please Me, and up pops an entire lesson plan on how to play the song, “breaking it down into videos with tabs for intro riff, verse, chorus, bridge and so on,” he says.
And with that, he’s done.
Or is he?
“Oh, my god – there’s a Kiss song!” R.J. says. “I can’t end this video without playing Kiss.”
Cue Strutter to take us out.
And for more info on the Gibson App, head to Gibson.
Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.
