Guitar Hero vs. A Real Guitar

*Originally published on 8/18/09


We've played more than our fair share of Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. I know I said that they are flooding the market (and I stand by that statement) but the games themselves are fun, especially when played with a group of people. We've been waiting anxiously for them to release a Led Zeppelin pack or game. Zeppelin rules, and many fans agree that it would be great to be able to play their songs.

Jimmy Page, however, thinks that kids should learn to play a real guitar. Other artists have made similar statements. Some have gone so far as to say that it's pathetic that kids are spending so much time with a video game when they could be playing a real guitar.

While I can see their point, I have to disagree. I usually play the drums, and I've gotten quite good at the game. Playing a real drum, however is a completely different skill set. Sure, the game might help with rhythm and timing, but playing "drums" and playing drums are two completely different things. I'm sure that if you sat me down in front of an actual drum set, I wouldn't be any better now than I was before I started playing the game. This has been proven by the fact that some musicians have tried to play their own songs on Guitar Hero and failed. Some of my friends, who do play instruments, still have trouble with certain songs, even with musical experience.

More importantly, I live in an apartment. I do not have nearly enough room to house a drum set. I see the game for what it is, a game. It's supposed to be fun and it succeeds. Let's add the fact that real instruments can get quite pricey. Some people just can't afford an instrument right now. This will provide a fix while they save up for an actual instrument.

I don't see people saying that kids should stop playing Madden or NBA Live because it's not the real thing. They understand that it's just a game and a way to kick back and have some fun after a long week. I don't know why people insist on ruining other people's fun. Yes, skill in Guitar Hero doesn't equal skill on a real guitar, we know that, but when we proudly boast that we got through Freebird on expert, it's no different than saying that you beat a challenging level or unlocked a new achievement. There's no implication that kids who can play Metallica's Battery are in the same league as real musicians. It's the critics who added that subtext.

It would be great if they went out and got a real guitar after playing these song based games. As long as people recognize that the two are different skill sets and that one is just for fun, I don't see a problem. These games get kids exposed to music and the games can act as a gateway to instruments. As long as kids recognize that it's just a game and that it's not as good as the real thing, then they should be able to enjoy the game.