Is tomorrow's Clapton playing 'Guitar Hero'?

In a recent South Park episode, we see two of the show's main characters, Stan and Kyle, rocking out to the video game Guitar Hero as a roomful of their friends watch, rapt.

As they're playing, Stan's father walks in, asks, "You kids want to see something really cool?" and starts to play an electric guitar.

For a moment, the room is dead silent. Then, Stan asks, incredulously, "Dad, what are you doing?"

"I can actually play a lot of these songs on a real guitar," the father responds. "Want me to show you boys how?"

Stan spits back, "That's stupid, Dad."

Well, maybe not, say guitar teachers. In fact, the immense popularity of the hit Guitar Hero franchise--the third iteration of the game, Guitar Hero III, brought in $115 million during its first week on the market--may be the best thing that has happened to the instrument, to rock 'n' roll, and to guitar instructors, in a long time.

"I have an overwhelming feeling that my business is safe for years to come when I see kids playing Guitar Hero," said Dan Emery, owner of New York City Guitar School. "These kids are really enjoying playing Guitar Hero, and they're really being turned on to old classic rock" via the game.

Emery said he actually sees Guitar Hero as perhaps the best recruitment tool his school could have asked for.

Credit: South Park Studios

In the South Park episode "Queer-o,"
Stan and Kyle entertain their friends
by playing Guitar Hero.

"I fully expect that (kids who play the game) will get into their twenties and they will have disposable income and they will decide to actually play guitar and they're going to call us up," he said.

Exact numbers of Guitar Hero-fueled converts to the real thing (kids or adults) are hard to come by. But something at work here clearly could be the most powerful advertisement for the guitar since the hit Richard Linklater movie School of Rock.

In that film, Jack Black plays a teacher who, through sheer passion for music, turns a class of rock-illiterate elementary school students into a head-bobbing rock band. After the movie came out, San Francisco guitar teacher Jay Skyler said his roster of young students exploded overnight.

"All of a sudden, I had 9-year-old students," Skyler said, "because all of a sudden, everyone wanted a guitar."

But now, with Guitar Hero turning into one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, Skyler said it's not just kids who seem interested in playing the real instrument.

While some of his new adult students may not be willing to admit that the game drove them to him, he did suggest a definite cause and effect.

"My adult students, they don't want to cop to it," Skyler said of being Guitar Hero fans, "but they're all, 'Have you played the game?'"

The immense popularity of Guitar Hero does worry some of Skyler's fellow guitar teachers, who fret that the game may deter kids from being interested in picking up the real instrument. But Skyler doesn't share that concern, instead feeling that the long-term outcome will be positive.

"Basically, it's getting more kids into guitar," Skyler said. "So if you're a guitar teacher, or a band, you have to love it. They'll play with the toy for a while, but after awhile, they'll want the real thing."

[Kings X Rocks!]

Les Paul...what happened???

Very interesting. So, based on the article, Guitar-hero afficianados are fast becoming the next generation of "console-icians"?

I think it's a stretch. Watching youngun's play the game, it's the competition factor that drives them. Being good enough to do it right. The fact that it's oriented to rock music and shaped like a guitar is just entertainment value.

Personally, I hate to see the talent required to play guitar reduced to something that you "decide" to pursue after mastering a console game. The REAL players know it's something much much more than that.

To illustrate, spend some time with Steve Morse or Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson or Ty Tabor. They do so much more than simply play the instrument...Their creative prowess manifests itself thru the guitar. And they're not the only ones.

But...then again, how many drivers on the road today cut their teeth on Mario Kart?

[Kings X Rocks!]

Les Paul...what happened???

Very interesting. So, based on the article, Guitar-hero afficianados are fast becoming the next generation of "console-icians"?

I think it's a stretch. Watching youngun's play the game, it's the competition factor that drives them. Being good enough to do it right. The fact that it's oriented to rock music and shaped like a guitar is just entertainment value.

Personally, I hate to see the talent required to play guitar reduced to something that you "decide" to pursue after mastering a console game. The REAL players know it's something much much more than that.

To illustrate, spend some time with Steve Morse or Joe Satriani or Eric Johnson or Ty Tabor. They do so much more than simply play the instrument...Their creative prowess manifests itself thru the guitar. And they're not the only ones.

But...then again, how many drivers on the road today cut their teeth on Mario Kart?

[usualsuspect87]

seriously?

i know a lot of kids that are damn good at video games, but the majority don't possess any creativity... i'm sure there will be some kids that eventually learn to play a mean guitar, but can they write a song? Maybe this will spawn the largest growth in cover bands in known history

[usualsuspect87]

seriously?

i know a lot of kids that are damn good at video games, but the majority don't possess any creativity... i'm sure there will be some kids that eventually learn to play a mean guitar, but can they write a song? Maybe this will spawn the largest growth in cover bands in known history

[terminalblue]

the answer is NO

seriously...its just a video game

[terminalblue]

the answer is NO

seriously...its just a video game

[immystique]

The game re-kindled my passion!

Actually, the game DID inspire me to return to my guitar! I have an accoustic that I started playing back when I was 12. I got quite good at it, but after getting married and having kids, well, I hadn't played in at least 5 years!

My husband bought me Guitar Hero II in August, and re-kindled my love for the guitar. I started taking lessons again to learn finger-picking styles (I still remember how to read music and do chords), and now, for Christmas, I told my hubby I want an electric guitar.

The console has also helped me in playing my real guitar--I have the weakest pinky in the world, and while playing my guitar I tend to tuck it in toward my hand instead of using it on the strings. The game helps me to remember to USE my pinky and strengthen it. I'm getting better-at both the game and my guitar! It's finally starting to feel less "awkward" to keep my pinky out and "available" instead of tucking it away while I play.

[immystique]

The game re-kindled my passion!

Actually, the game DID inspire me to return to my guitar! I have an accoustic that I started playing back when I was 12. I got quite good at it, but after getting married and having kids, well, I hadn't played in at least 5 years!

My husband bought me Guitar Hero II in August, and re-kindled my love for the guitar. I started taking lessons again to learn finger-picking styles (I still remember how to read music and do chords), and now, for Christmas, I told my hubby I want an electric guitar.

The console has also helped me in playing my real guitar--I have the weakest pinky in the world, and while playing my guitar I tend to tuck it in toward my hand instead of using it on the strings. The game helps me to remember to USE my pinky and strengthen it. I'm getting better-at both the game and my guitar! It's finally starting to feel less "awkward" to keep my pinky out and "available" instead of tucking it away while I play.

[dragon69R1]

A Musician's Comments

Anything that gets the younger amongst us interested in real music is to be commended. Purists have decried the advent of the electric guitar and electronic keyboards for decades, yet they don't go away. As a dedicated puveyor of original pieces for Piano, Organ, Guitars, Flutes and Instructor therein; we have nothing to fear from the new, but only our own lack of imagination.

[dragon69R1]

A Musician's Comments

Anything that gets the younger amongst us interested in real music is to be commended. Purists have decried the advent of the electric guitar and electronic keyboards for decades, yet they don't go away. As a dedicated puveyor of original pieces for Piano, Organ, Guitars, Flutes and Instructor therein; we have nothing to fear from the new, but only our own lack of imagination.

[A2 Joe]

Yes and no...

Being a long time guitar player I have made the following observations: 1) GH's rhythmic button pushing does not match the tunes very well, so it may actually be interfering with rhythmic "ear" development (it's more a "visual" thing). 2) Unlike the South Park show, my son's teenage friends think it's cool that I sit around and nail the songs on a real guitar. 3) My son tells me that following the notes on the screen is helping his sight reading for viola, and I can definitely see how that could be true.

[A2 Joe]

Yes and no...

Being a long time guitar player I have made the following observations: 1) GH's rhythmic button pushing does not match the tunes very well, so it may actually be interfering with rhythmic "ear" development (it's more a "visual" thing). 2) Unlike the South Park show, my son's teenage friends think it's cool that I sit around and nail the songs on a real guitar. 3) My son tells me that following the notes on the screen is helping his sight reading for viola, and I can definitely see how that could be true.

[The_Decider]

Where is the software and hardware

That allows you to plug in a real guitar?

Guitar Hero is a toy, nothing more.

[The_Decider]

Where is the software and hardware

That allows you to plug in a real guitar?

Guitar Hero is a toy, nothing more.

[astdan]

Slow down

You're reading too much into the article. Take it easy there. No one is saying you turn into Petrucci or Satriani overnight because of a game. Get a grip. What is being said is that the game is raising awareness and interest in the guitar in ways that haven't been seen in the past. If out of that abundance of interest comes some talented people over time, then great.

[astdan]

Slow down

You're reading too much into the article. Take it easy there. No one is saying you turn into Petrucci or Satriani overnight because of a game. Get a grip. What is being said is that the game is raising awareness and interest in the guitar in ways that haven't been seen in the past. If out of that abundance of interest comes some talented people over time, then great.

[tonysugantino]

Guitar Hero IS NOT giving guitar playing a bad rep

I love South Park and must admit I have not seen the Guitar Hero episode, but from what I?ve been hearing it completely relates to conversations between my boss and me regarding the game. His point put very short is we?re all learning to play fake air guitars and coming out with no real skill in the end. First and foremost I will agree that there are absolutely no real reusable skills that will apply to real guitars. His point is well received. However, he needs to learn that I?m not playing to learn a real guitar nor do I have any expectation that I?m going to be able to just pick up and play with rock star greats such as Meat Loaf and John Bon Jovi after I beat expert levels.

First off, the game is fun. I have little to worry about how I look playing it since I know others enjoy it too. I also want to point out that I have always realized that artists out there work night and day getting their music right before putting out an album. Think of it this way, you?re in your car listening to Woman by Wolf Mother on the radio. Sounds alright, yet you don?t think about the effort involved to actually make the guitar tracks sound as they do. Now play it on hard on Guitar Hero 2 and see for yourself. It?s a difficult song to play to especially when the solo comes up.

One last example I want to point out is what I thought of the movie Hackers and actual software development. Hackers was a great movie to watch. But let me be honest, virus? do not typically cry in agony that they?re getting defeated like the so called di Vinci virus in the movie. Nor do navigating folders and files get done in three dimensional skyscrapers. Oh yea, another thing, when you message someone in a chat room, usually those messaging programs do not support flaming fonts. Now that being said, do I say that the Hackers movie is totally crap and gives learning computers a bad name? No, absolutely not. Maybe it?s a bad example, but it?s one that I could at least relate with.

My point is simply this; if it?s something you don?t enjoy then don?t play it. It?s your loss. Let others have their fun. I know my family and I are having a great time with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Rock on everyone!

[tonysugantino]

Guitar Hero IS NOT giving guitar playing a bad rep

I love South Park and must admit I have not seen the Guitar Hero episode, but from what I?ve been hearing it completely relates to conversations between my boss and me regarding the game. His point put very short is we?re all learning to play fake air guitars and coming out with no real skill in the end. First and foremost I will agree that there are absolutely no real reusable skills that will apply to real guitars. His point is well received. However, he needs to learn that I?m not playing to learn a real guitar nor do I have any expectation that I?m going to be able to just pick up and play with rock star greats such as Meat Loaf and John Bon Jovi after I beat expert levels.

First off, the game is fun. I have little to worry about how I look playing it since I know others enjoy it too. I also want to point out that I have always realized that artists out there work night and day getting their music right before putting out an album. Think of it this way, you?re in your car listening to Woman by Wolf Mother on the radio. Sounds alright, yet you don?t think about the effort involved to actually make the guitar tracks sound as they do. Now play it on hard on Guitar Hero 2 and see for yourself. It?s a difficult song to play to especially when the solo comes up.

One last example I want to point out is what I thought of the movie Hackers and actual software development. Hackers was a great movie to watch. But let me be honest, virus? do not typically cry in agony that they?re getting defeated like the so called di Vinci virus in the movie. Nor do navigating folders and files get done in three dimensional skyscrapers. Oh yea, another thing, when you message someone in a chat room, usually those messaging programs do not support flaming fonts. Now that being said, do I say that the Hackers movie is totally crap and gives learning computers a bad name? No, absolutely not. Maybe it?s a bad example, but it?s one that I could at least relate with.

My point is simply this; if it?s something you don?t enjoy then don?t play it. It?s your loss. Let others have their fun. I know my family and I are having a great time with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Rock on everyone!

[Len Bullard]

Also A Real Guitarist

Games is games. Play 'em and have fun. But...

1. Bad rhythm outs fast. If the information received by the ear is out of sync to the fingers, bad habits result. They are VERY hard to undo later.

2. Good guitar techniques such as pivot fingering won't be learned and these are critical to playing even adequately particularly on an acoustic guitar.

3. Eye movement when sight reading is a critical skill but unless the fingering is right first, bad habits result and these are VERY hard to undo.

4. Ear training for tone production based on plectrum-hand technique takes practice. Bad habits are VERY hard to undo.

IOW, don't for a moment think Guitar Hero is a substitute for learning the real thing. If it increases desire, it will also increase frustration when the novice picks up an axe and endures real shredding of the fingertips and the months of soreness. The best inspiration for learning is a real player who plays real well.

That said, it is a game, it is fun, and it does expose their ears to good licks. OTOH, if they really want to learn good licks, download midis into a guitar editor such as Guitare Pro (cheap!) and either read the tab or the notation with the aid of a real instructor.

Do Have FUN! Otherwise, don't bother. Guitar heros have about the same rate of success as programmers when it comes to the social rewards, but they aren't usually paid as much, so as another picker said to me, "It became a job and when it comes to jobs, other jobs pay a lot better."

[Len Bullard]

Also A Real Guitarist

Games is games. Play 'em and have fun. But...

1. Bad rhythm outs fast. If the information received by the ear is out of sync to the fingers, bad habits result. They are VERY hard to undo later.

2. Good guitar techniques such as pivot fingering won't be learned and these are critical to playing even adequately particularly on an acoustic guitar.

3. Eye movement when sight reading is a critical skill but unless the fingering is right first, bad habits result and these are VERY hard to undo.

4. Ear training for tone production based on plectrum-hand technique takes practice. Bad habits are VERY hard to undo.

IOW, don't for a moment think Guitar Hero is a substitute for learning the real thing. If it increases desire, it will also increase frustration when the novice picks up an axe and endures real shredding of the fingertips and the months of soreness. The best inspiration for learning is a real player who plays real well.

That said, it is a game, it is fun, and it does expose their ears to good licks. OTOH, if they really want to learn good licks, download midis into a guitar editor such as Guitare Pro (cheap!) and either read the tab or the notation with the aid of a real instructor.

Do Have FUN! Otherwise, don't bother. Guitar heros have about the same rate of success as programmers when it comes to the social rewards, but they aren't usually paid as much, so as another picker said to me, "It became a job and when it comes to jobs, other jobs pay a lot better."