MemoTo:

Mr. Malesh

From:Austin MoralesDate:

March 4, 2016

Re:

User Testing

Introduction

The topic that was tested was how to finger pick on guitar. The instructions used were intended for at least beginner guitarists who have a basic knowledge on chords and music theory. The finger pick technique is an essential technique that many guitarists use in place of using a pick. Learning how to finger pick would allow one to play single notes in chords, making it easier to jump across string.

Objectives

· To test and eventually help improve an established wikihow article on How to Finger Pick.

· To improve the author’s skills in writing professional instructions and user test review documents.

· To provide test takers with a simple and enjoyable set of instructions to perform.

Method

Three users tested the online instructions, each with varying degrees of experience with music. Users were chosen with the knowledge that some would have more criticism than others.

Since the article was meant for guitarists with a basic foundation already established, the test takers performed the instructions given while receiving supplemental tips and hints to understand the steps. This helped to make up for the experience gap. Some users required less than others.

The test giver carefully observed the users while they were completing the instructions, continuously checking to see if they were improving in their technique. Immediately following the completion of the directions, the test takers were given a user test review document to assist in the improvement of the article. These documents are attached in the appendices below.

Results/Discussions

User one had the most positive review of the instructions, and had experience in between user two and user three. This user was the most enthusiastic and volunteered of their own interest. While performing the test, they understood the directions very well and went through them with ease. The steps were completed correctly, but when asked to demonstrate the technique after completion, they did not apply what they had learned until prompted to do so.

User two had a very positive review, and the most experience and ease out of all the users. This user understood how to finger chords and could apply the techniques taught in the instructions to other chords. During the test, it was not necessary to provide supplemental tips as much as the other two users. When asked to demonstrate the technique after completion, they had no problem applying what they had learned.

User three had a neutral review and had the least experience out of all the users. While testing, they did not understand that the article was meant for guitarists with a basic concept of theory and chord fingering. This user required a great deal of supplemental help, which is suspected to be the cause of a more negative review.

Conclusion

User one’s review document is placed in Appendix A. Their review stated “Overall great instructions” and suggested to “include how to hold guitar”. Due to time constraints and the implication that the article was designed for guitarists who understand basics, this suggestion was taken lightly. The most data received from this individual came from during test observations.

User two’s review document is placed in Appendix B. Their suggestions included “Explain part 2, step 3 a bit more” and to move part 3, step 1 from bold to a sub-step. Before revision, these steps stated (respectively) “Apply slight pressure and release upwards” and “Pick any chord you know (C, D, and E for example).” The first revision added the sub-step “Imagine you are ‘plucking’ the string and not hitting it”. The second revision moved the example in parentheses to a sub-step.

User three’s review document is placed in Appendix C. Their sole suggestion was to “define what finger picking is”. In the introduction of the article, it states that finger picking is a technique guitarists use in place of using a pick. As such, this suggestion was taken very lightly. As a result of observing this user while testing, many of the steps were revised to appeal to less experienced players. For example, in part 2 steps 4, 5 and 6 added the clarification to use the right hand to pluck strings.

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

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