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

1. 62

   GreenAdamposted 15 years ago

   What do guitar players think about video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band"?
   
   I recently read an article on Prince. He refuses to put his music in these games.
   
   Here's exactly what he said to Tavis Smiley:
   
   "I ain't mad at them. I hear it made, like, USD 2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that."
   
   "I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar."
   
   So, are these games just harmless recreation? Or do these games "dumb down" the art form?

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2. 71

   cdub77posted 15 years ago

   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.

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3. 57

   how-toplayguitarposted 15 years ago

   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.

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4. 61

   Stephen J Parkinposted 15 years ago

   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.

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5. 61

   EdG.posted 15 years ago

   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.

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6. 60

   Vincent Papplerposted 15 years ago

   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).

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7. 67

   Portamenteffposted 15 years ago

   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.

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8. 0

   honestkyleposted 15 years ago

   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.

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9. 65

   Laura Thykesonposted 15 years ago

   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...

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10. 61

    nekros729posted 15 years ago

    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.

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11. 51

    meetyouinitalyposted 15 years ago

    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

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12. 72

    Springboardposted 15 years ago

    I think if kids want to spend time learning about music they should buy a couple of books on musical theory, or chord diagrams if you're into piano or guitar. Mainly, pick up an instrument and learn to play it. Doesn't matter what kind of an instrument, just pick it up and learn to play it.
    
    Guitar hero will come and go. The instrument will always be there, and unlike the game, you can use what you learn to create something your own.

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13. 60

    guitartechnicianposted 15 years ago

    I have found that people that have guitar hero always want to pick up and have a go on my guitars, and it is really easy to teach them how to play something simple on a real guitar, they already know timing. Afterwards they get all enthused about learning the guitar, and will go away and actually practice, for hours on end, just like they used to when playing their video games.

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14. 61

    maloney91posted 15 years ago

    There's nothing wrong with the guitar hero games, if anything they're good for introducing young people to classic bands they might not know, and show them the fun of music and bands and rock and roll. Then, if they like the music they're playing and enjoy "rockin'" out, then maybe they'll pick up a guitar, which is a great thing.
    
    By no means is guitar hero stopping people playing real instruments, it's encouraging playing real instruments, and showing young people (mostly) good music they mightn't of otherwise heard.

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15. 47

    george pposted 15 years ago

    ive never played the game but i do play guitar to play guitar is a lot of hard work and alot of effort but once you get to a stage when you can play your favourite songs on it and play your favourite riffs or come up with your own the feeling is fantastic and if you ever get to a stage where you play infront of a crowed or even infront of schoolmates the rush you get cant be explained.  if guitar hero inspires kids to get into the real thing why not im all for it

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16. 60

    madmachioposted 13 years ago

    It gave me a greater appreciation for the music and how it's played. I know it's a game and not real, but it's so fun.

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