Mattel drops new details on I Can Play educational guitar

by Darren Murph, posted Jul 28th 2007 at 3:35PM

While the most of us get our shred on via one version of Guitar Hero or another, Mattel is trying to preserve our offsprings' minds a little while longer with a more educationally-inclined toy axe. Originally mentioned at the International Toy Fair, the I Can Play instrument is slated to land this August for $99.99 and will boast the Allegro Multimedia Guitar Wizard Method for learning licks. Furthermore, the guitar will come bundled with a cartridge featuring "six popular songs" to play along with (additional ones will be $14.99 apiece), and rather than just single buttons being placed on the fretboard, the more complex sensor layout is said to be more akin to a real-world six-string. Notably, Mattel and Allegro both assert that this device can be used by kiddos as young as six years old, but we see no reason why those struggling through a mid-life crisis can't relive their own rock fantasies once the children head off to bed.

[Via Electronista]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio

Tags: Allegro Multimedia, AllegroMultimedia, child, education, guitar, i can play, ICanPlay, kid, Mattel, music, toy, youngster

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

paloooz @ Jul 28th 2007 3:42PM

Why not buy your kids REAL guitars? I'm sure you can find a Squire somewhere for $99.99 ...

Neutral

Dragod @ Jul 28th 2007 3:44PM

Target ;)
I know they have Guitars for $100

Neutral

Shaylon Clark @ Jul 28th 2007 5:16PM

Sure you can go pick your kid a guitar up for $99 or cheaper, but how long is that really gonna last with a 6 year old? I'd give it a week at best before it no longer works. This toy, however looks to be plastic, and designed for little kids in mind. I've already bought my 1 year old a daisy rock guitar for when she gets older, something like this is what I have in mind for when she's ready to starting learning about music. IMO this is a toy that is worth it's cost. (if it lives up to the description)

Neutral

Alvin @ Jul 28th 2007 5:38PM

I would hate to buy my kid a $100 "educational" (a.k.a. TOY) guitar, have him ask for a real one, have me spend another $100+ for a Squier Mini, then have him never touch the real guitar because the strings hurt his fingers.

If you're going to teach a kid how to ride a bike, you wouldn't send him to spin class...

Neutral

Dragod @ Jul 28th 2007 3:43PM

It won't really help much if you can't use a pick. That'll just cause problems once you try to play real guitar.

Neutral

Langel75 @ Jul 28th 2007 4:40PM

What? I'm a professional guitarist who plays without a pick, with a pick or a thumbpick or a penny or a folded matchcover or my thumbnail or any way I choose at the moment. No problem.

Neutral

Hawk @ Jul 28th 2007 4:13PM

hey anyone who see the "42 stirngs guitar"? none! see here the unbelievable guitar http://tinyurl.com/ysd3k5

Neutral

Eric @ Jul 28th 2007 4:27PM

For $100, you can buy a Squier Mini Stratocaster- with real strings, not buttons.

Or, for $120, Epiphone offers the PeeWee (a mini Les Paul), or the VeeWee (a mini Flying V), both of which include a 9V-powered amp.

Neutral

Langel75 @ Jul 28th 2007 4:42PM

As a toy it's ok. Playing any instrument happens when the person has a passion for it. In that case it doesn't matter how much the instrument costs. You can't buy soul.

Neutral

strider_mt2k @ Jul 28th 2007 5:43PM

Where have you gone, Mel Bay?

Our nation turns it's lonely eyes to you.

Woo woo woo.

Neutral

dhlt25 @ Jul 28th 2007 6:55PM

why is everyone here only interested in electrical guitar. Anyone played classical anymore?

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Alvin @ Jul 28th 2007 7:32PM

Well for starters, the article is about a kid's educational/toy electric-style guitar.

But more importantly, it's easier to learn on an electric guitar (I'm talking about real ones now) than it is an acoustic steel-string, as the neck is both thinner and narrower, the strings are generally closer to the fretboard, and the string gague is typically much lighter. All of which aid small/weak hands in mastering chord fingerings and training muscle memory. Starting a kid on an acoustic may dissuade him or her from continuing because the cumbersome guitar body may be too awkward for them to hold, or the fingering may be too difficult on a traditional neck (this goes for mini acoustics, as well).

Classical (nylon) guitars... well.. that's just a different story. As much as I love the sound of a good Spanish nylon, I've been playing guitar for about 8 years now and STILL can't traverse those thick, super-wide necks no matter how hard I try! I do have small hands though...

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