He's always preaching man.... It's better to learn a real instrument.... Pfff...

I get that people think you should learn the real thing... but the reality is that some people just have no interest in learning. I love guitar hero, but i have no intrest in playing it for real. My friend also loves guitar hero, Guitar hero made him want to start playing real guitar and he has gotten really good at it... There are so many bands that i have gotten into because of Guitar Hero/Rock Band. Its a GAME.

I think people forget that the first reason he gave for turning down the makers of Guitar Hero was because they didnt offer him enough cash.
This was the main reason and not some preachy comment he made about learning the guitar as an afterthought.

technol21 said:

Eye totally agree with Prince. There's no need 4 a guitar hero Prince!
All He really wants 4 these kids = 2 play a real instrument. Eye don't find that 2 preachy! On the contrary, eye think that having a proper musical education is 1 of a child's privileges all around the world. So eye can really support Prince's ideas on that front.

Do U want 2 no what eye'm about 2 give 2 my nephew on his 3rd B-day?
An electric guitar! He has the musical energy and likes 2 play the piano, drums, anyway, he loves music. Eye C a lot of potential! So by buying an electric guitar eye think eye might stimulate it the right way . . . and not by letting him play a stupid hero game.

And BTW, it might not only because of the money, Prince turned down the makers of Guitar Hero. Eye'm glad He did, because eye personaly think that Prince is 2 good 2 b in such a game . . . In fact eye think the other participants can't stand in His shadow actually . . . Ok now's the time 2 disagree with me . . .

It would not be all that fun. His guitar playing is overly labored and not all that impressive on the studio tracks.

The best guitar hero which focuses squarly on one band is the Metallica one. It kicks ass. But then again their music is perfect for the game. Upon reflection, I don't think an all Prince guitar hero would work but a few of his tracks in upcoming releases which don't focus on one band would be great, plus it would get his music played to a younger audience.

blackielawlessrules said:

I like the Metallica one does rock but the rock band Beatles is gonna be the best. I got the chance to play it already and its great. You can have people harmonize with each other!! I agree, a few P songs in a GH &/or RB game would be awesome!!

Anxiety said:

in 1984 when i saw purple rain and saw prince with a guitar, it made me want 2 learn how 2 play guitar and i did. so 2 answer the question of this thread ...


HELL NO LEARN THE DAMN INSTRUMENT INSTEAD

paisleypark4 said:

ahhh that's where headphones plugged in2 the amplifier come in2 play

here's the other thing that u need 2 take in consideration when talking about gutiar hero and rock band...it's mostly rock music, not soul music and certainly not funk music. so many styles of playing guitar that it's limiting the actual potential of learning a real instrument. when ur talking about prince, there r guitar licks in all genres with him that r cool but guitar hero wouldn't focus on those licks.

LEARN THE INSTRUMENT, goddamn!

Anxiety said:

Crystal clear.
Also, to agree with Dave1992, Learn the Instrument!!!!!
Goddamn!!!!!

kenlacam said:

Goddamn!

I am learning to play guitar and i'm getting better(goin' on 4 years now). But a Prince version of Guitar Hero would have not stop my motivation/inspiration from playing the real thing. Learning to play the real deal can become frustrating at times & recently the thought entered my mind to just drop it & sell off my 7 axes & effects. But i've gotten back into it & have found love for a new all-tube amp which should be here in time. Purple Rain from Syracuse 85' is what made me pick up the guitar to begin with & the ONA shows made me purchase a Hohner although I don't play it much cause of the annoying hum that comes from the stock pickups that came with it. One day i'll get some noiseless pickups installed in it & go from there. But a Guitar Hero ft. Prince would be a blessing.

thecloud said:

Could it be your Amp ?

muirdo said:

Oh, it's definitly the amp 100%!!!!!

ITS A GAME. Some folks don't wanna learn the real thing. Some folks just wanna rock out, and pretend. Some people dog on the game, I don't really see why. If someone really wants to learn to play the real thing then they will. And you could actually learn to play the drums because they have a tutorial on it. I played it and its pretty legit, (I can play real drums).

thecloud said:

No need to thank me.

LoDog said:

I SAW PRINCE'S SOMEWHAT RECENT INTERVIEW ON THE TAVIS SMILEY SHOW (2 NIGHTS) ON PBS WHERE HE WAS ASKED THIS QUESTION. PRINCE SAID THEY DID COME TO HIM ABOUT PUTTING HIS MUSIC IN THE GAME HOWEVER HE SAID HE WOULD ONLY BE GETTING A SMALL AMOUNT OF WHAT THEY MAKE AND OFCOURSE HE SAID KIDS CAN'T LEARN HOW TO ACTUALLY PLAY A GUITAR FROM THE GAME. HE DID RECOGNIZE ALSO, THE SUCCESS OF THE GAME BUT HE TURNED THEM DOWN (AS WAS MENTIONED).

MY FELLINGS, I AGREE WITH HIM. THEY SHOULD MAKE THE GUITARS WITH SOME SORT OF STRINGS TO ALLOW KIDS/ADULTS TO ACTUALLY LEARN HOW TO PLAY A GUITAR OTHERWISE IT'S POINTLESS. AT LEAST THE DRUM KIT VERSION LETS PEOPLE LEARN (SOMEWHAT) THE TECHNIQUES OF PLAYING THE DRUMS.

That Beatles is Hot!!!! think of how crazy the prince game would be if made by the same people.

I think it's more important that kids learn to actually play the guitar, as well. Did Mr. Nelson offer any other pearls of his wisdom on just how kids are supposed to do that?

Funding for the arts and music programs in public schools has plummeted to near non existing levels, so they are the first cut, when school boards are working on their budgets. Private lessons are expensive especially considering the current state of the economy. Tuition for schools specifically for the arts and music is high and waiting lists for scholarships and grants is long.

What better way is there to get massive numbers of kids into guitar than by having one of the so called Masters of the instrument teach it to them directly, through an inexpensive, easily accessible communication vehicle, that they'll actually pay attention to?


[Edited 9/8/09 11:34am]

I saw that interview: and it strikes me that before his 'learn to play a real one' speech he talks about how little money he was offered. He put the MONEY first.

Now I agree, learning to play a real guitar is ideal. But lets be real. Most people would not take the time or effort to learn. And only a tiny fraction of people could ever hope to play on the same level as Prince or some of the others that refuse to allow their songs be used.

Now lets go back to 1985. In the Rolling Stones interview, Prince mused that he wished he could materialize in a person's 'crib' and do a show. This is as close as we can get at this time.

This would give people that love his music to experience it on a new level. I have played several of the GH games. And I have to say I am more aware of music now than before. I listen to songs in a different way. I listen to the guitar and the bass and the drums (no one wants to hear me sing).

So in a real way it has helped to develop musical interest.

Prince should do a "Rock Band" game instead, like the new The Beatles: Rock Band. Prince could load the game with dozens and dozens of great guitar tracks, live, unreleased tracks, plus a career retrospective. Not only would the game be the greatest Rock Band game of all time, but a lot of people would realize how great of a musician Prince is and his music sales would double for any future album. If

I were managing Prince, I'd call up Harmonix and sign a deal to do a game based solely around Prince's music. Imagine playing "The Undertaker" sessions from start to finish, and unlocking the entire video for doing so... awesome.

I think Prince lacks the basic understanding of the game. It is NOT about learning to play guitar (sure it does spark an interest) it is ALL about experiencing the music and interacting with a song in a new way.

Some argue that the fad is passing. I say it has yet to really get started. I believe that soon it will be common to release as part of an album's release track packs. (maybe a code or just a download).

Also I would like to see the game makers allow acts to release their own tracks that would work on the given system and game.

it would be a cool idea but..

Guitar hero shouldn't be taken serious even though it is paving tribute to rock legends, its just a game franchise. Playing guitar hero is no other different than playing 'air guitar' (except its free)

For those who want a Prince guitar hero go and buy a 1979 Ibanez and play until you can play this....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfpqYRJONBE I guarantee you won't ever want to play guitar hero again

I play but of course, I can't play Deve se amor like this guy can...he's my hero..he should be on Guitar hero then instead

Don't hold your breath.