The guitar provides a simple, easy-to-learn kids’ version of a guitar: It’s a three-string instrument that uses actual guitar strings and can be tuned just like any other guitar. I had a chat with Rafael Atijas, the startup’s founder and CEO, as well as the author of that master’s thesis I mentioned. Here’s what he had to say. Our guitars also come unassembled and we do that because when you build your own guitar, you develop a feeling of ownership and accomplishment that stimulates you to play more. Another big difference is that our guitars come with an app that has everything you need to learn to play: video lessons, chord diagrams, a tuner and even a songbook so you can learn by playing real songs — The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and more.” ‘I can have a class of students all playing a song together within about 15 minutes on their first day. To date, I have used the Loog to teach hundreds of students including students in the hospital, students with learning disabilities, students who also study a classical string instruments, and even advanced guitarists who need a better understanding of music theory as it manifests itself on the guitar. I started the 3-string concept using ukuleles, but ukes are not sized properly, and they lack the “cool” factor of playing a guitar. Now, my students stroll in public with their Loog Guitars strung over a shoulder just to have someone stop them and ask for a demonstration. Parents tell me that they leave the Loog out on the couch, and every man, woman and child who visits just has to pick it up and give it a strum. Even my self-conscious teen students will pick up a Loog that’s lying around. No doubt — the Loog is cool.’”
