Is Guitar Hero good or bad for our future musicians?

[mikesilvia]

Simple question! Is Guitar Hero good or bad for our future musicians? Part of me says that we may lose some great guitar players in the future because they will play Guitar Hero (and other music games) vice picking up a real guitar. The other part of me says that Guitar Hero may get more and more people into playing guitar and drums.

What do you think?

[OnePimpTiger]

I'm somewhat undecided, but leaning towards good. I think it will get more people interested in playing the real instruments, which of course is good. But what I wonder is once someone who enjoys Guitar Hero tries to learn a real guitar and realize it's much harder, if they'll be discouraged and give up on it. Also, I wonder if playing Guitar Hero will help or hinder you from learning the real guitar. On one hand, it teaches you the hand/eye coordination and the general feel of playing. On the other, it gets you used to only fretting 5 buttons, whereas the real guitar of course has many more "buttons" to push.

I think overall it will get more people interested, but I don't think the majority of people who enjoy Guitar Hero will pick up a real guitar because it is much more difficult. But I think the people who will pick up a real guitar after playing it outnumber the people who ignore the real for the game.

[rksnascards]

while it's a great game....it does not teach anyone how to play guitar or drums.... voice of experience here.... was in several bands throughout the years (guitar and drums). Have played the game, it is NOT the same as playing the instrument.

[MCXC1987]

I think it is good or no change. I don't think it can be bad. I think it will influence more kids to pick up an instrument and practice to show off the REAL skills as opposed to green, red, green, blue, green. It is a real fun game there is no doubt about that, and heck with all the older songs on it, it will show the younger generation something about music and how it is just as good a few years later. Obviously it is harder to play a real guitar but I think the kids that really want to learn will learn. If some don't, they'll just stick to the video games. I don't really think there is a negative either way.

[RedGoneWILD]

I don't see how it could be anything BUT GOOD...

I bought the game for my son about a year and a half ago, and since then he's got a real guitar and has been learning how to play it. Yes, a real guitar is a lot harder than playing guitar hero, but you can still learn rhythm, tempo and song structure from the game.

Another point...music isn't defined as just being able to play "real" instruments like a guitar...I've seen guys banging on 5 gallon buckets that sounds better than some drummers...there's all kinds of electronic musicians now who couldn't play a real instrument to save their life. I consider certain DJ's musicians, and all they do is spin records. Music will continue to evolve, and our normal idea of a band could be radically different in 50 years.

[hector234]

It's a good thing, young kids that play it get a better appreciation for music and a lot of them end up picking up an instrument because they enjoyed the game so much.

[JesRey]

It's a good thing. My brother never had the urge to play any instruments, but once the game came out he began to play everyday. He is really good at the game now, and now he wants my dad to buy him a drumset and a guitar in order to learn the actual instrument

[MCXC1987]

I don't see how it could be anything BUT GOOD...

I bought the game for my son about a year and a half ago, and since then he's got a real guitar and has been learning how to play it. Yes, a real guitar is a lot harder than playing guitar hero, but you can still learn rhythm, tempo and song structure from the game.

Another point...music isn't defined as just being able to play "real" instruments like a guitar...I've seen guys banging on 5 gallon buckets that sounds better than some drummers...there's all kinds of electronic musicians now who couldn't play a real instrument to save their life. I consider certain DJ's musicians, and all they do is spin records. Music will continue to evolve, and our normal idea of a band could be radically different in 50 years.

That is a very good point. there is a show called stomp or something where all they do is bang on trash cans and different objects.

[hector234]

That is a very good point. there is a show called stomp or something where all they do is bang on trash cans and different objects.

Yeah, Stomp is a great show.

[jsox]

all i'm saying is for Drums, it's great for new or up-coming musicians.
just because it's the most realistic instrument, because all you do is (yes) play the drums.
the guitars never bother to teach you strings or nothing, just combos.
gotta love the games though