Guitar computer software encompasses a wide range of applications designed specifically for guitarists. Recording software, educational software, and simple utilities for creating guitar tablature or tuning the instrument could all be included. Many of the applications designed for guitarists are very similar to other more general music programs, with only a few tweaks to make them more useful for guitarists, whereas others are only useful for guitarists.
Some of the most popular guitar software packages are designed to assist a guitarist in mastering various aspects of the instrument. There is software that displays chord diagrams and neck charts for various musical scales, as well as software that guides a new guitarist through a series of lessons with multimedia accompaniment. Many of the programs in this category essentially present the same information that can be found in various types of educational guitar books. Other applications make better use of the multimedia capabilities of computers and include more interactive elements, which may help some guitarists learn faster.
Simple tools designed to replace common pieces of equipment make up some guitar computer software. For example, there are a variety of computer programs that can be used to replace the guitar tuner, which is often included in external hardware-based effects processors but can also be purchased separately. Some tuning software is straightforward, playing back the correct notes for various tunings, while others are designed for computers with a guitar plugged in for recording purposes, and they display on-screen indicators to let the guitarist know if his instrument is properly tuned when he plucks a note. There is also a lot of software available for creating and using guitar tablature, which is a type of sheet music specifically designed for guitarists.
Some guitarists choose to write or record songs with their instrument, and there are a variety of guitar computer software applications available to assist them. The majority of popular computer recording software packages are compatible with the guitar, and some of them allow you to install plug-ins that can add special effects and other features tailored to guitarists. Synthetic computerized accompaniment instruments are usually required guitar players when using recording software. Most guitarists, for example, are unable to play the drums, so they rely on software to create computer-based drum patterns.