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Guitar Hero: Virtual Vs. Real
With Aerosmith and Metallica having agreed to lend their music and images to the Guitar Hero video game series — Jimmy Page has said no (sorry Zep fans) — the question has arisen: Are Guitar Hero and Rock Band preventing kids from learning to play guitar? I don’t know if it is possible to definitively answer that question but here is what I think.
I doubt either of these games will prevent many kids from learning to play guitar. The games do offer a dose of instant gratification, but I don’t think anyone believes they are really a “guitar hero” while they are pushing colored buttons on a little plastic guitar. It’s fun, nothing more.
Playing Guitar Hero is a virtual experience, like any other video game. Playing a car racing game will not stop anyone from getting their drivers license if they really want to drive. In fact games like Guitar Hero may inspire some to take up the real thing. Many of my guitar students have (or have played) Guitar Hero, and a couple have said playing the game is what got them interested in taking lessons. Most kids playing Guitar Hero probably won’t take the next step, but if a few do, I think it is a good thing.
The truth is, few kids are willing to take the time and work it takes to be a good guitar player (this is nothing new.) But for those who really want it, no video game is going to get in the way.