Fretello Guitar Lessons

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The very first exercise has you reading tabs, playing multiple strings on multiple frets, and strumming both up and down. It isn’t fun. I have been playing for a few months, I can play simple songs, and this was frustrating. It also starts with learning scales, whereas most teachers start with chords. That may be part of my problem, but it should start with lessons enjoyable to someone holding the instrument for the first time. I’m making it 2 stars on the assumption the app listening to your playing is useful. It sounds like a cool feature. (Edit: I am raising it to 3 stars because I like their response and want to give the app another chance when it’s updated or I advance enough to use it well)

I played saxophone for 10 years although I haven’t picked it up in the last 20. I can already read music. The problems I have with the app is that if I get frustrated and want to start over, it isn’t easy to back up. Plus it doesn’t really have a very good metronome or explain what eighth notes are or two four time is. It doesn’t really make clear to play two notes per beat of the metronome. That being said, I do like the way it trained your muscle memory. Maybe you could include some simple songs like they did when I was learning socks. You know, twinkle twinkle little star, over on overture… I understand it’s not the same with the guitar, but there must be some simple song that even at the counter can pick his way through. Then there is the improv at the end of each session. It would be nice if there were some suggested riffs to go with that. Instead of playing along with the improv that Frettello offers, I work on other songs. Currently my go to is Steve MILLER’s the Joker. Trying to learn that bass line between each cord strum.

First of all, thanks to the developers for putting this app together, not to mention for FREE!! I'd like to say that guitar playing, like any other artistic skill, is a result of the effort and passion that you put into learning it. I've read some of the negative reviews and comments and I'm certain that a majority of the people who have left them are looking for miracle app that will magically allow them to suddenly be able to play the latest boy band hit or Taylor Swift song and this app isn't going to do that for it's users. That being said, I've been wanting to find an app to help me structure my valuable practice time to help me carry my guitar playing skills to the next level and I believe I have found it in this app. To the developers: Thanks again and ignore all of the haters/posers!!

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It’s a great idea. It’s what I have been looking for, but....... I started on the Pentatonic scale the first of the sessions. I already knew it but wanted to do the whole app all the way through. Kind of boring, so I wanted to go to the next scale lesson- NOPE. They decide when’s your done and ready. It’s very annoying. So, now I’m stuck on this scale for who knows how long. The songs you can learn on the app are ridiculous. I think there is a total of 10, 3 of which are different wedding March songs. Most of the songs are from soundtracks (movie) the songs you have never heard of! Then there is like r metal songs form the same artist. The rest are Christmas songs. It’s funny because it has genres you can choose form. But there is only 10 Songs that are either Christmas or metal or wedding marches. It’s very strange. Again if your excited to learn scales a new way you will be disappointed and like me- waiting for them to let you know when you can move on. Waste of money.

Note: Please don't think too highly of yourself when you plan to input your expertise level. Otherwise, you'll just end up hating the app because it's suggesting stuff that's too hard for you to pull off because of the input you made. A little modesty goes a long way. I've tried a good few of these guitar coach apps but this one seems to work out the best for me. I'm an intermediate and the second I put in my level it immediately showed stuff that I have been willing to learn for quite some time now. My only problem was that I needed a structured schedule and this app provided one for me. No fuss, metronome included, good exercises, great open-ended jam tracks, and all-round greatness.