The Practice Pal Story

Way back in my early teens when I was learning to play the guitar, the only exams available were for classical guitar. This was all very well, and I did indeed study the classical technique for a while, but my main tastes in music were (at the time) rock music, and all other styles played mainly on the electric guitar.

Some years later, the Registry of Guitar Tutors (RGT) released their series of graded exams for the electric guitar. Now was my chance to gain some accredited qualifications in my instrument of choice, so I began studying for the RGT graded exams.

These exams all have certain requirements: scales, chords and for the intermediate and advanced grades also arpeggios. While studying I wished that I had another guitarist with me, a sort of "practice pal", who could ask me random questions from the grade exam handbooks, for example "please play a one-octave B flat natural minor scale in five different fingerboard positions".

At this time, my day job was as a computer software developer. So, I developed a software program for Windows PCs to take the place of my imaginary prompter, and I called it Practice Pal. Originally, it was for my use only. I discussed it with the head of the RGT, and he suggested that it would make a good product for both students and teachers.

Practicing with the help of Practice Pal gives students the confidence that they know all the scales, chords etc. required for their graded exam. Teachers can also use Practice Pal in lessons, and also in their waiting rooms for the convenience of their students.

The RGT gradually released exams for Acoustic, Bass and Classical Guitars (in partnership with the London College of Music). Each exam came with a new set of requirements, and therefore needed a new edition of Practice Pal.

Practice Pal went on sale, first as a CD-ROM, by mail order as well as in a wide range of musical book shops. Once the internet started to become widely used as a market place, Practice Pal was re-released as a downloadable product. It is available from www.BooksForGuitar.com.