Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine Releases Interactive Guitar App
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has launched an app that promises to teach aspiring guitarists how to play by strumming along with the band’s signature cranium-rattling hits.
Titled Dave Mustaine: Guitar Prodigy and available now for $9.99 on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, the interactive trainer lets budding virtuosos practice along with songs such as “Holy Wars” and “Public Enemy No. 1.” It contains both classic tracks such as “Tornado of Souls” and joints from the band’s new album, TH1RT3EN, ad well as so-called “Micro Lessons” that promise to teach technique, theory, rhythm and related chord progression. Multiple skill levels from beginner to expert are supported, as are leaderboard options that let players show off high scores, if not their actual blistered fingers.
Promising to let enthusiasts “shred like Megadeth” and play at warp speed or slowed-down cadence, the application is designed to work in tandem with any real electric or acoustic guitar. Less a game than an instructional tool – despite visual similarities to titles like Guitar Hero – the app lets instruments connect directly to the device or work in conjunction with its microphone. Numbered on-screen indicators reveal which fret to hold and when, with scores and feedback received based on ability to correctly play tones in time with prompts. Options to slow, fast-forward, rewind, loop, repeat or pause performances and adjust volume provide flexibility while wailing along to actual master recordings. Built-in Apple Game Center integration allows for performance tracking and sharing.
“If you have a guitar [and] can run an app, you’ll soon be playing classic Megadeth songs,” said Mustaine in a press release. “It’s just like having a private guitar lesson from me.”