Outblaze Ideas announces Chord Hero (www.chordhero.com), an initiative to make learning music both fun and affordable. The first phase of Chord Hero has two components:  Chord Hero Strummer is a good quality, low-cost 36-inch steel-string acoustic guitar; Monster Chords is a mobile game for iPhone® and iPad® that teaches guitar playing and provides real-time feedback to the player. Chord Hero Strummer is available online starting from US$ 59 plus shipping. Monster Chords is available on the App Store℠ by subscription (US$ 1.99/month).

The benefits of music learning for children are well-documented - for example, music learning is associated with improved academic performance, self-confidence, and concentration. However, learning to play an instrument is difficult, music practice is long and tedious, and music lessons can be expensive.

Chord Hero sets out to minimize these obstacles to music learning. The first phase of the project offers a good quality, low-cost guitar called Chord Hero Strummer and its companion mobile app Monster Chords (sold separately), which together make learning guitar easy and fun.

“Good quality musical instruments and music lessons exceed the budget of many families. Despite the many benefits of music for children, it can be hard to invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in something your child may abandon after a short time,” said Yat Siu, founder and CEO of Outblaze.

He continued: “We set up Chord Hero to reduce obstacles to learning music, and in the first phase we offer an affordable, good quality guitar and the companion mobile app Monster Chords, which together transform learning the guitar into a fun and rewarding experience.”