Comments on: Can you learn to play guitar by playing Guitar Hero?

By: cgratzer94

cgratzer94 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:38:46 +0000

I've had people tell me that if they can play Guitar Hero that they think they could play the guitar. And I always tell them that they're two entirely different things. As a guitar player and being on expert in Guitar Hero.. I can say that. Like you said, Mark, there are very few things that are the same as playing the guitar. I mean, Guitar Hero had helped some of my guitar playing skills, but at a minimum. When someone has told me that they could play guitar since they can play Guitar Hero.. I've given them the link to your blog. And I haven't heard it from people who tell me that since. BTW- Very interesting post!

By: PCL

PCL — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:46:41 +0000

I'll give it a try. However it goes, I'll almost inevitably learn something. Thanks!

By: Dan_Gross

Dan_Gross — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:22:28 +0000

Hmmm. I would say that what you would pick up, outside of a better sense of rhythm, is in a sense more theoretical than mechanical. You would have some finger dexterity that may help, plus some of the other things listed above (ability to play through mistakes, understanding that different notes mean putting your fingers elsewhere, recognizing repeating patterns in songs, elements of ensemble playing, "practice makes perfect" and (in some versions of some games) learning patterns by starting slow). I wouldn't necessarily say that GH would make the learning process less "tedious and frustrating" if someone already perceived the process as such. What I mean to say is that, after being able to play "Through the Fire and Flames" [considered one of the toughest songs in GH] on Expert, you will find it will take a LOT longer to learn it on the real guitar. So short answer would be "no"-ish.

BUT I would encourage you to try playing if you have the interest. With learning anything, there's some frustration, and there will obviously be more instant gratification effect in playing Guitar Hero than the real thing. But start simple, set some easy goals, understand that at first you're going to be dealing in very basic stuff (and that you will need to practice "boring" things like scales, etc). You'd be amazed at how many songs you can strum with knowledge of just a few simple chords. Most of all, try to go into it with a positive attitude, and that by itself will make it seem less tedious/frustrating. Good luck!

By: PCL

PCL — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:41:34 +0000

I've assumed that you couldn't really learn to play guitar by playing Guitar Hero, but what seems like a more realistic question is "Having mastered Guitar Hero, to some extent, would learning to play a real guitar seem easier, or at least less tedious and frustrating?" This is from the perspective of someone with almost no knowledge of music or guitar playing. Can anyone answer this? Thanks!

By: Dan_Gross

Dan_Gross — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:24:38 +0000

Hrm, now someone's developing a "hybrid guitar," one that has sensors for GH and RB but has actual strings, etc…http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/09/zivixs-headlin...

Not a lot more detail that that though…

By: AndrewG

AndrewG — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:22:28 +0000

I think Rockband is alot better than guitar hero, only because when you do "solos" on rockband, you can do it at like the "12th Frett", which I whink is really cool, and more life-like, but I agree, there is no way you can possibly learn how to play guitar besides the three things you've mentioned already. However, aren't they making a guitar hero type game where you actually plug an actual guitar into it? I'm pretty sure it's under the links here somewhere that I saw that…

By: Cathartic Sarah

Cathartic Sarah — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:09:45 +0000

I prefer Rockband over Guitar Hero (of course, I'm really lame at both). I'm a Fender player, so I'm loyal to my Strat. The game is confusing at first and I got booed off the stage plenty of times before I could play though "I'm So Sick." I have to go over to my friend's houses to play video games anyway because my parents are ultra-conservative (which is good).

For laughs, I've also played Praiserock (or whatever the Christian version is). It's pretty lame too. At least they're a bit more sympathetic when you totally flunk the song. Ha ha.

By: Dan_Gross

Dan_Gross — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:26:19 +0000

Of course there are the pending Guitar Wizard http://poprl.com/JRx (video: http://poprl.com/JS0 ) which uses a MIDI pickup and Guitar Rising (http://www.guitarrising.com ) which uses the standard 1/4" connection...

By: Pastor_T

Pastor_T — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:58:08 +0000

I actually bought my first guitar and first guitar hero on the same day :-). I'm learning, but I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the game. The new Garage Band in iLife09, on the other hand, is pretty helpful!

By: Ronni

Ronni — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:06:37 +0000

I actually got worse at guitar hero the better I got at guitar. I found playing GH too much actually made it harder for me to play real guitar… the only thing it really did for me was improve my finger speed and strengthen my hand a bit… granted that always helps.