Guitar Hero vs. Real Guitar

[TangoJuliet]

10 years ago when I was in high school I wanted to learn how to play the guitar. So I signed up for a after school class to learn how to play but had to quit because it interferred with basketball practice.

Fast forward to a month ago...I purchased guitar hero for the 360 and have been doing really well on it. I understand it is a game but for those who play both hero and the real thing how close (if any) is it to the real thing?

I would like to learn how to play again but I dont want to waste my money or time if I really suck. Yes, I know it will take years to actually learn how to play but I would like to see progress - or atleast learn how to play some cool tunes quick

 

[Jules]

Get the real thing.

 

[Soundmanred]

Not even close.
The Guitar Hero guitar is simply a controller shaped like a guitar.
It will tell you how good you'll be at guitar as much as playing air guitar will.

 

[clamum]

Not very close. There's a few passing similarities but nothing more than that. If you want to learn to play guitar, get a real one and just keep practicing. Most likely you're not going to learn a song in a day or two on it.

 

[TangoJuliet]

ah so none of the cords they use on the songs are the real cords used in the songs? i realize that there are no strings but atleast it sorta simulates where your fingers should be

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: alkohoLiK
ah so none of the cords they use on the songs are the real cords used in the songs? i realize that there are no strings but atleast it sorta simulates where your fingers should be

Its a vast oversimplification but the essence is there. Theres a big difference between 6 strings and a button. The double chords separated by one fret are pretty much power chords. And certain things are easier on a real guitar than guitar hero.

But a real guitar is much, much, much harder to play.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: Soundmanred
Not even close.
The Guitar Hero guitar is simply a controller shaped like a guitar.
It will tell you how good you'll be at guitar as much as playing air guitar will.

Bingo

 

[hdeck]

yeah it's nothing like the real thing.

 

[Hammerhead]

Th whammy bar is probably the closest that guitar hero comes to a real guitar

 

[mrrman]

no comparison at all...the real thing is harder and alot better

 

[Kirby]

I'm decent at real guitar but horrible at guitar hero.

 

[JDub02]

Playing GH can help your real guitar skills. It'll help improve timing and finger coordination. It's absolutely nothing like playing a real guitar, though.

FWIW, picking up rhythm guitar is not that hard. The difficulty comes in with lead guitar.

 

[TangoJuliet]

thanks everyone. if i was to start playing again what type of guitar (brand/model) would u recommend?

is it better to learn on a acoustic first and then go to something else or could I begin with an electric?

 

[bcterps]

Being a good GH player doesn't help you to play the guitar at all. It's like saying being good at DDR means you're a good dancer

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Helpful tips.

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
I'm decent at real guitar but horrible at guitar hero.

switch to hard or expert.

 

[Kev]

That's like thinking counterstrike will prepare you for shooting a gun

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Playing GH can help your real guitar skills. It'll help improve timing and finger coordination. It's absolutely nothing like playing a real guitar, though.

FWIW, picking up rhythm guitar is not that hard. The difficulty comes in with lead guitar.

I agree. At the very best, GH will help your timing but that's it. I remember on old Nintendo I used to play Track and Field (just hit a,b really, really fast) yet for some reason it did not make me run fast in real life.

 

[SludgeFactory]

There's no comparison. The game simulates air guitar if it does anything.

But it's good that it seems to be getting people interested in playing a real instrument.

 

[CKent]

Lol. I shot a 15 under par in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 the other day. I'm off to go make a few million bucks

 

[Mo0o]

Not gonna teach you how to play guitar but it may help you w/ rhythm and counting beats if you struggle with that. but it sounds like you've played before so that should be an issue

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Kev
That's like thinking counterstrike will prepare you for shooting a gun

According to that antigame guy it does.

 

[KarmaPolice]

hah i mean it will help you with maybe some motions but other then that...no

 

[theeedude]

I bought an electric guitar starter kit for 45 bucks online. Cheaper than a guitar pro controller.
http://www.music123.com/Baja-Electric-S...ectric-Guitar-(Closeout)-i228731.music

 

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Not gonna teach you how to play guitar but it may help you w/ rhythm and counting beats if you struggle with that. but it sounds like you've played before so that should be an issue

lol sorry.....your sig is awesome