GarageBand '09 will teach you how to play guitar and piano

Today at MacWorld 2009, Apple unveiled the next feature to be added to their entry-level music production application GarageBand, that is sure to capitalize on the mass of budding musicians created by games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero. The software ships with nine included lessons for the guitar and piano, and an integrated store that allows you to buy "Artist Lessons" from famous musicians such as Sting and John Fogerty.

Lessons include a video of a teacher at the top of the screen, and a guitar fret board or keyboard displayed across the bottom of the screen, which shows you how to play the notes or chords yourself, and gives audio feedback so you can tell if you're playing correctly.

Artist Lessons will be available for US$4.99, with guitar lessons available from Sting, John Fogerty and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump, and piano lessons from Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones and One Republic's Ryan Tedder. These lessons teach you how to play well known songs from the artists, such as John Fogerty's "Proud Mary", and give a short history of the song. More artist lessons will be added in the future.

iLife '09, which includes GarageBand '09, will ship by the end of the month, and is included free with all new Apple computers. An upgrade is available for US$79.