Guitar Hero and guitarists

[BonsaiK]

Okay, so I like a lot of different types of computer games. But one type that doesn't have any interest for me in the slightest is the Guitar-Hero type of thing. I figure that it's probably because I'm a guitarist in real life, and I get to play onstage in front of people a fair bit, and therefore why would I want to simulate that, when it's a lot more fun to actually just do it. What I'm curious about, is exactly what attracts people to these types of games. I can understand it for the beginner or casual gamer who might want to pretend that they're a rockstar for a while or whatever, but not the guys who are... you know, pretty good at it.

It strikes me after watching some YouTube videos of people beating Guitar Hero games on the hardest levels, is that you would seemingly need a certain amount of musical and muscle-motor skills to be able to do that. In other words, the same skills required to play the actual instrument itself, albeit a dumbed-down version of course. So if you could beat Guitar Hero III's highest levels for instance, you'd probably be pretty good at actual guitar... you know, potentially. So why bother practicing your ass off at Guitar Hero when you could be practicing your ass off at the real thing, and playing [insert your favourite band here]'s guitar solos FOR REAL? Wouldn't that be more interesting? And it'd probably only require a shade more effort, with the right tuition and everything...

So yeah it puzzles me a bit. What I want to know from you guys, is:

1. Can you play guitar in real life? If so, does Guitar Hero appeal to you and if so, why?
2. For those who don't play actual guitar, does playing Guitar Hero make you want to learn the real thing, or not? And why/why not?
3. How many people here took up the real instrument after Guitar Hero (or a similar "hold a plastic guitar in front of a computer" type game) caught their interest?

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

My brother likes Rock Band, and he's a guitarist.

 

[[Gavo]]

1. I can play bass guitar very well, but normal guitar...I don't do it. Mostly because i don't have crack fingers.

I want to say, though, that playing guitar or bass helps you w/ Guitar Hero. Finger movement and such. The converse, however, doesn't help you.

 

[BonsaiK]

My brother likes Rock Band, and he's a guitarist.

Okay, ask him those questions and share with us the answers!

 

[BonsaiK]

playing guitar or bass helps you w/ Guitar Hero. Finger movement and such. The converse, however, doesn't help you.

Doesn't suprise me. However if someone got really good at the game, even though it would in no way actually help them play the real thing, it does indicate to me that they would have POTENTIAL to play the real thing to a reasonable standard.

 

[TheBluesader]

I don't play guitar, but I have played around with one enough to be able to play out little kids' song if I have to. I've also played Guitar Hero. And they really aren't employing the same skill set, save for basic finger movement. Actual guitar requires you to practice finger formations and positioning until it becomes second nature, and all this while you're learning and using different strumming techniques. Guitar Hero is just the fast repetition of simple button combos. Which takes skill to master, but not in any way related to playing an actual instrument.

Guitar Hero skills are more like typing at a keyboard skills. The fact that the keyboard has few buttons and is shaped like a guitar doesn't make it instrument-like. It's still just a keyboard.

[Edit: I just realized something. Maybe Guitar Hero skills are sort of like keytar skills. We'll have to poll all the keytar players around here.]

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

I enjoyed Guitar Hero 3 immensely (until the blue and green buttons decided I was torturing them too much and died), and I feel no drive to pick up a real guitar because I'm not that interested. I'm more interested in the Cello.

Don't ask me why those insane people who play Devil Went Down to Georgia on Expert don't pick up the guitar, I'm just as baffled as you probably are.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

I'm a saxophonist (not as dirty as it sounds) and I'll admit that my sax training definitely made it easier for me to move up the difficulty levels in the Guitar Hero games. I think people who are proficient in similar instruments might be better at GH faster than actual guitarists. However, my good friend plays guitar in a band and he loves the GH series. Part of the appeal is that you get the whole song when you play it in one of the games, not just the guitar riffs/solos you'd play if you learned the song on a real guitar. Having the right guitar tone for the song without fiddling around with pedals, amps, etc. is also nice.

 

[Chinchama]

I'm pretty good at Guitar Hero, there are only a few songs I can't play on expert and normally I hit at least 89% of the notes. I've tried to play an actual guitar and for some reason it just can't be done. I would be great if I could somehow magically be better at playing guitar, but since it just feels awkward in my hands I have no urge to pick one up and learn to play.

 

[Rhayn]

Being good at GH does not directly entitle you master of the real thing, nor does it necessarily show you've got any sort of musical talent. What it shows is that you've got good eye-to-hand coordination, as proven by a certain friend of mine. I think he knows it too. Hell, he even tried real guitar for a while and gave it up. "Wasn't his thing". He enjoys GH very much though.

Personally I find GH dull and meaningless. It might be fun to play a song now and then on medium while drunk and getting a laugh with friends, but I would not spend more than 15 minutes with that game.

I play guitar, have been doing so seriously for about 2 years (doing half an hour training each day). First time I picked up a guitar and got somekind of lessons was when I was about 8 Didn't catch on it then, and I hate myself for it. I wouldn't say I'm good yet, but I'm getting there (buying an ESP SV come May). And I'm absolutley horrible at Guitar Hero. I mean atrociously bad. Hell, I can't even beat Raining Blood on medium. I've noted that I listen to the music too much, and having played the song on guitar only makes it worse. I should just be looking at the screen and not listen.

Playing drums is fun though. Broke my friends drumsticks with my violent flailing. Heh.

 

[Vlane]

I like Rock Band and Guitar Hero and I'm playing guitar for about 4 years now.

 

[Ghost]

i play guitar, i got a lend of guitar hero and the guitar hero controller, played it once or twice and decided it's crap.

i just find it a boring game.

 

[Enigmers]

I play guitar, and I used to play quite a bit of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but now I tend not to play guitar hero anymore, and on Rock Band I play lead guitar the least. I do agree that getting used to knowing where your fingers are, being able to play longer without getting tired, etc. are things that you learn from playing a real guitar and then carry over to Guitar Hero, however, the two are pretty unrelated. I prefer playing a real guitar over Guitar Hero.

 

[willard3]

I have a years-long disagreement with the guitar, even before GH existed...because I'm a pianist and used to work in a music studio. Everybody's kids wanted to play guitar because they wanted to be a rock star and impress their friends. You would eventually end up with a bunch of kids who could only read tabs (if that) because their lessons would consist of them bringing in a CD and having the teacher help them figure out what notes to play.

But I still find GH really fun, because I just like to listen to music, and GH gives me something complementary to do while I listen. I'm also a conductor/director, so if I'm not wailing away on a plastic guitar, I'm waving my arms around, possibly with a baton. (an actual one)

 

[Stevato]

I play guitar, i admit not so well (Though some of my friends think im being modest and actually im quite good but whatever)

But GH / RB is good fun, not many of my mates play instruments but it's always great to play 4 players. Even though i end up singing ¬_¬

 

[Stevato]

Everybody's kids wanted to play guitar because they wanted to be a rock star and impress their friends. You would eventually end up with a bunch of kids who could only read tabs (if that) because their lessons would consist of them bringing in a CD and having the teacher help them figure out what notes to play.

I have to agrree here, whilst okay, i can't read sheet music, i can only read tablature, perhaps i'm musically challenged

I play guitar because for years i listened to bands like MEtallica, Iron maiden, Pantera, and more and more i became influenced to pick up an instrument, what instrument i didn't know.

Then one day 2 years ago i picked up an acoustic guitar really cheap (about £30 second hand) and i havn't really looked back, my guitar gives me something to focus on.

I really hope that soon, with more improvement i shall start playing at the open mic nights at this club we have in my town, i want to try and use my limited skill to entertain people and have fun in the process

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

1. Can you play guitar in real life? If so, does Guitar Hero appeal to you and if so, why?
2. For those who don't play actual guitar, does playing Guitar Hero make you want to learn the real thing, or not? And why/why not?
3. How many people here took up the real instrument after Guitar Hero (or a similar "hold a plastic guitar in front of a computer" type game) caught their interest?

1. Yes I can, and to a point. It does get boring, quickly, and, as you so rightly stated, it isn't nearly as much fun as playing in front of people.

2. I guess I don't need to answer this one. =P

3. Nah, I was playing from blues to metal for a good few years before Guitar Hero hit the shelves. All Guitar Hero did was inspire me to buy a funky new guitar.

 

[Lukeydoodly]

Lol. Being a pro at GH would make you good at a 1 string bass guitar with 5 frets and 200 gauge strings. Not much else.


1. Can you play guitar in real life? If so, does Guitar Hero appeal to you and if so, why?

I can and GH does not appeal to me, most likely because its a dumbed down version of what I already do.

3. How many people here took up the real instrument after Guitar Hero (or a similar "hold a plastic guitar in front of a computer" type game) caught their interest?

Heh, I didn't. I just wanted to play my favourite bands music. Such a shame most of what I like now is way out of my league.