Guitar Center Turns Up the Volume with AI: Inside Their New Pitch Practice Revolution

Tap to explore how AI is reshaping the music retail floor.

Guitar Center is stepping confidently into the future of retail, announcing the rollout of its new AI‑powered Pitch Practice app — a tool designed to transform how associates rehearse real customer conversations. As the music giant continues modernizing both its in‑store and ecommerce footprint, this new AI initiative signals a shift many retailers are beginning to echo.

The news first surfaced via Digital Commerce 360, spotlighting a bold move blending voice technology, AI simulation, and gamified learning into the high‑touch world of musical gear sales.

What Makes the Pitch Practice App Different?

Instead of relying on static training videos or multiple‑choice quizzes, Guitar Center’s Pitch Practice app immerses associates into dynamic, voice‑based role‑playing scenarios. Think of it like talking to a customer — except the “customer” is an AI model responding naturally and conversationally.

After each session, the app scores performance from 1 to 10 and delivers detailed feedback on communication skills, product knowledge, and conversational flow. Associates can track progress over time — something traditional training programs rarely provide.

Dalporto notes that the voice-first design is fully intentional, mirroring the real conversations employees have with musicians and shoppers every day.

Building on Their First AI Assistant: Rig Advisor

This isn’t their first leap into next-gen tech. Earlier this year, Guitar Center launched Rig Advisor, an AI gear guide helping shoppers explore tones, compare equipment, and get recommendations based on real-time in‑store inventory.

Shoppers simply scan a QR code, ask questions about gear, artists, or genres, and instantly get curated suggestions. The online version even helps beginners find the right entry‑level instruments — something AI is uniquely good at when trained on inventory and intent.

More AI Features Rolling Out in 2026

According to Dalporto, major expansions arrive next year — enhancing product‑knowledge training, customer service skills, and even helping employees explain lessons, rentals, and repairs. This is a full digital transformation, not a simple upgrade.

For retailers, AI is quickly shifting from a novelty to a necessity.

Guitar Center Isn’t Alone — AI Hits the Sales Floor

The music giant joins a growing wave of retailers investing heavily in associate‑support AI:

• Lowe’s launched its Mylow Companion app for instant product and inventory insights.
• Best Buy now equips associates and Geek Squad techs with AI tools for diagnostics and recommendations.
• Conversational search is rolling out across retail platforms nationwide.

Retail is clearly evolving toward a blended model: humans empowered by AI, not replaced by it.

What This Means for Small Businesses

While apps like Pitch Practice may sound exclusive to huge retail chains, the underlying technology is absolutely accessible — especially with the right development partner.

If you’re a small or mid‑sized retailer, service provider, or training‑focused organization, these same voice‑driven simulations, AI helpers, or customer-facing assistants can be custom‑built for your workflow.

This is exactly where TNT Nerds excels. From AI integrations to app development, digital training systems, retail modernization, or process automation — we bring enterprise‑level innovation to businesses of all sizes.

Future of Retail: Human + AI

Guitar Center’s bold AI adoption highlights a growing truth: the best customer experiences will come from skilled humans empowered by smart tools. When training is interactive, adaptive, and fun, customers feel the difference.

And if Guitar Center’s enthusiastic teams are any indication, AI‑driven associate training might soon shift from cutting-edge… to commonplace.