Fender adds new genres to learning tool

Launched in 2017, the educational tool lets users learn to play the guitar, bass and ukulele. The subscription-based educational hub produces content around rock, blues, pop, country and folk.

The new ‘path’ includes 18 courses using classic songs from big names. It is broken into five different levels, helping guitarists learn the fundamentals before expanding. Fender says the lessons are provided by instructors who have played with some of the top names in soul and R&B.

“Whether you’re a fan of classic R&B/soul legends like Aretha Franklin or Curtis Mayfield, or more enraptured by neo soul artists like Alicia Keys and modern R&B singer-songwriters like H.E.R., Fender Play helps you to learn to play their music at your own pace with bite-sized lessons,” the company said.

Fender recently added the Feedback Mode feature, a new beta tool on Fender Play that listens and gives feedback. The feature provides tips to help with areas that need work and uses the in-app practice tools to help fine-tune trouble spots.

In November, Fender reported that it had more than 1 million individuals who had signed up for the Fender Play app during the COVID-19 pandemic. The instrument manufacturer said there was an influx of young guitar players and their use of digital resources to learn the instrument. A survey commissioned by the Fender found that 72% of 10 644 respondents were between 13 and 34 years old.

Last year, Fender partnered with songwriter and best-selling author Ari Herstand for its Artist Playbook – a guide for emerging artists to navigate the changing music landscape.