Playing Guitar Hero inspired my 12 year old neice to take up real guitar and I have a friend who's sons now 12 and 14 have both taken up guitar and aren't half bad after playing hours of guitar hero.
The other day my niece asked me who are good guitar players and if I knew about Jimi Hendrix. We sat on the computer looking at youtube videos of Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Brian May, Angus Young etc. Here cousins and friends are crying over Justin Bieber and listening to Lil' Wayne. God Bless Guitar Hero... RIP.
That's great Pete...
Hopefully, your friends son's will take it to the next level and as
Jesse mentioned, pick up the real deal and actually "learn" just
what it takes to make that music that Guitar Hero has made it so easy to emulate.
Yes, it is sad that Guitar Hero has come to a conclusion of sorts, but maybe that's a good thing? Maybe not?
Influence wise...GREAT!...Talent wise...I have to question it.
You know, on another topic, it was a boon to mankind and children alike when hand held calculators hit the streets back in the early 70's for a $100.00 a pop. This little device made doing math a whole lot easier for everyone involved over the years.
Sadly, when you go in to a local 7-11 franchise, and the so called "machine" is down...damn it all anyway if the 16 year
old proprietor can't make change for you and just says "here, is that close enough"? That just happened the other day to me.
They just don't get the whole "math" concept thing?
I digress...I know...but my point is...Guitar Hero does not make
a Guitar Hero...at least in my wacky, old man, opinion.
It's been proven that anyone can release an album of sorts these
days without having any knowledge or experience in playing a musical instrument...and all you need is a middle of the road computer and internet connection to do it. Up load to YouTube and voila! The next music star is born.
What the hell, Rap artists have been doing it for a number of years. Now it's just become a more mainstream way of getting
your point across without having to go through all of that unecessary practice, talent and experience to do so.
Combine that with all sorts of network shows launching
the career of the next big artist.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great outlet and the world seems
to have embraced it at either the behest or welcome of the
music that we tend to be exposed to, and most importantly, are willing to accept these days, depending on a persons preference.
When it comes to a live performance, heck, these days, these new age artists have ways of making it sound like the real deal.
Pete, your neice is right in asking about the greats.
I hope and trust that you will impress upon her, just how
great these original artists were and are, before the likes
of Guitar Hero ever came along...simply because of their
natural talents that they have honed and refined over the
many years that make up the rock and roll history that we've
all come to know and love...I'm sure that you will.
Again, I'll admit...RIP Guitar Hero if it was an influence to
some, but good riddance to it if it was an easy way out
for those that think that, they'll in fact be able to label
themselves a "Guitar Hero".
No offense Pete. Just an opinion from an old fart. ;D
Thanks
Kim
After 47 years on this planet...I decided to take Guitar Lessons this past summer!!! The game was a riot but I wanted more!!! I always wanted to learn guitar but was afraid I'd never be able play