Even if they’re never written down, most people have mental lists of things they want to do before they die (or, as a recent movie called them, “bucket lists”). Among these lists, there are a number of goals that pop up repeatedly. While traveling and getting in shape are probably the two most common, learning how to play guitar is not far behind. Now, a new invention may make this “to do” a little easier to get done.
Optek Music System’s Fretlight is a guitar that incorporates patented technology to help individuals learn how to play. Along with plugging the guitar into an amp, a user also plugs it into the USB port of a computer - where included Fretlight Lesson Player software provides a teaching course on how to play guitar. But that’s not even the real innovation. The six-string Fretlight has an LED circuit board embedded in the neck that provides individuals with lighted guidance as to where they need to put their fingers. When the LEDs are not lit, they are completely invisible – making the Fretlight appear no different than a standard guitar. Optek even touts that the polymer fretboard of the Fretlight is superior to a standard wood fretboard in sound quality, and that it won’t expand and contract with the weather.
But the major benefit of the Fretlight is its convenience. No longer must aspiring guitarists watch a teacher or look at a picture in order to get a sense of finger position - the lights tell a person exactly where to put his or her fingers. Since learning guitar (like most things) is based on repetition, the Fretlight helps beginners to more quickly and easily practice and memorize different notes, chords, progressions – even songs. Optek compares the guitar to a keyboard, where all the letters and numbers are laid out. The lights act in the same manner, giving users an indication where each finger needs to go. The Fretlight also comes with an instructional DVD that explains things in detail (it tells a person exactly how to hold a guitar), and several programs to make the learning experience even easier.
Unfortunately, while the Fretlight is all about extras, the extras are the kind a person has to shell out additional green to get. The Fretlight Lesson Player comes with the first thirty lessons free, but, after that, an individual has to buy more (additional lesson packs cost $39.95 each). And, most of the programs included are only good for 15-day trials - meaning users have to spend more cash to keep using them. Most notably, the M-Player software, which allows users to purchase files for songs that work with Fretlight, costs another $39.95 after the trial period.
Despite the add-on costs, for anyone looking to learn guitar, the Fretlight genuinely seems like a good way to go about it. More than anything, it gives aspiring guitarist a sense of potential they don’t always get the first time they sit down and try to learn chords. And while it may not be the coolest way to learn guitar, it makes practicing a whole lot more enjoyable – which may encourage a few people to stick with it long enough to cross “play guitar” off their bucket lists. Next up: learning a foreign language.
A number of different Fretlight guitars (acoustic and electric) are available for purchase from the Fretlight Store for anywhere from $399.95 to $899.95. Guitar and Amp packages also are available.
