The Guitar Hero Effect

Bob from www.cmusicshop.com (Campbell’s Music Service) here.

Some of my peers have been debating whether the video game, Guitar Hero, is good for the actual guitar market.  Some argue that the game makes guitar playing look easy and when faced with the challenge of really playing a guitar they will become disheartened by the actual effort needed and give up quickly.  Others argue that it is a gateway to real guitar playing, that after the ‘toyish’ effect wears off kids will yearn to play the songs on real guitars.  I’ve seen both happen but what the greater effect on the whole has yet to be seen.

I think one good thing is the exposure to great music that features the guitar.  Getting kids to interact with the music seems like a positive step towards actual music making.  Another thing is the fun factor, playing music is fun and getting that message out is nothing but good.  But there is the dark side, that Guitar Hero acts as a sort placebo to real playing.  Almost as if we have a guitar playing genetic need that gets its fix from the simulation of playing guitar on Guitar Hero.  The fear is that kids will not go deeper into the next step of real music making which has a great drawing power that can immerse people into it.  That people will stop at Guitar Hero or Rock Band who might have scratched the musical itch with real instruments.

As I mentioned, I’ve seen both happen but I’m just one small corner of the world.  We’ve had one student quit because, although he was good at Guitar Hero, he couldn’t reconcile that real guitar required real effort and practice.  We’ve seen other folks say that Guitar Hero made them want to attempt real guitar.  I guess we’ll have real answers in a couple of years when the game has run its course.  I’d love to hear your input, please post a comment.