What do guitar players think about video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band"?

Never played the game, but have been playing guitar since age 9. I tried to learn to read music, but always ended up playing by ear. I think these games could lead to an interest in playing the real instrument for some, but mostly they are a really fun way for those without musical tendencies and natural abilities to play along with their favorite bands. My husband has it, tried it a couple of times, and gave up, lol! No patience was his excuse...

Not everyone can be a rock star just like not everyone can be a soldier, or a ninja, or gangster as are depicted in so many other games. I don't think that more kids would be encouraged to learn guitar if games like Guitar Hero didn't exist. In fact, I think they breed more appreciation for the music and the art form in general. If you can't play a fake guitar, imagine how much work real musicians put into their music.

I just think it's a fun game. You can be awesome at guitar and totally suck at guitar hero. They are totally unrelated except that it may inspire new people to play guitar.

Ive been playing guitar for years. I like Guitar Hero, but it is not even remotely the same as playing a real guitar. I was absolutely terrible at Guitar Hero for a long time >.> It doesn't dumb down the art of playing the guitar because its not the same. Its a game, enjoy it :)

I've been playing guitar for 8 years and I got whipped on Rock Band by one of my friends that had been playing guitar for like a year.

It was disheartening, but I still think Rock Band and Guitar Hero games are really freaking fun. They don't really attribute anything to music except maybe rhythm and tempo, but it's all about creating a memorable experience, which it does a really great job of.

Guitar Hero's a blast to play and being an actual player I think makes the games easier because of the whole timing issue. And unlike Prince I feel that these games may actually lead more people to learn an instrument. They're just for fun just like Karaoke's fun, and insecure musicians hate that too.

They are video games, not instruments. And while they may generate a love and interest in music to the uninitiated, they have little to offer the serious musician. Ultimately, they have more in common to Dance, Dance Revolution, or the popular 80s electronic game Simon, than a guitar or bass. They do, however, provide a vicarious appeal Dance Revolution obviously lacks, which is why I believe they are far more popular. Ultimately, I have no problems with the games, but I cannot bring myself to play them. This is most likely because they bring me face to face with, because of their highly simulacral nature, the fact that video games, for the most part, are not a means to any valuable end.

I played guitar for 25 years now. I entered a "rock band" game contest at my local coffee shop. I failed miserably. It was fun though. They've got good songs for it at least.

Guitar Hero and Rock Band are fun games that are getting people interested in Music again. That's a good thing. Objecting to having your songs included in these games is like objecting to someone singing your songs in Karaoke. Not every Karaoke singer will get professional lessons and become a singer, but some will. Not every Guitar Hero and Rock Band player will become a guitarist, but some will. That's good enough for me. The goal of these games is not to produce musicians but for people to have fun with it (and maybe ignite the iTunes downloads).

As a player I did not find that the game added anything to musical technique, but neither did it detract. If you are serious about music the best past-time is watching great players of the genre you like on video. You Tube is great for that.

If you want to learn the words and memorise the songs then I do not feel that these games do you any harm, but they will not help anything to do with real music except perhaps your rhythm and timing. I hope that answers your question.