Why won't he show love to other computer geeks.

When asked why he turned down Guitar Hero Prince said...

“Well, I ain’t mad at them. I hear it made, like, $2 billion and they came to us and offered us a very small portion of that. But I just think it’s more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It’s a tough instrument — it’s not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it’s cool for people who don’t have time to learn the chords or ain’t interested in it, but to play music is one of the greatest things. To create something from nothing is one of the greatest feelings, and I would — I don’t know, I wish it upon everybody. It’s heaven.”

OK...I understand about wanting kids to play real instruments BUT...Prince uses computers all the time. His last 4 albums were mainly Pro Tools. Alot of his music sounds like he's alone in the studio behind a MAC. And that's cool but...Why is it cool to play a bass guitar sound by playing it through a digital sequencer on a computer keyboard and not cool to play a guitar based computer game? Neither one is an actual guitar. Everybody can't play guitar, just like everybody can't dunk a basketball. Either you have the ability to learn it or you don't. But people who love guitar music can pretend to play along. I don't get it....

a console isn't exactly a computer in that a console is limited to the choice of software it can run, and it's primarily for playing games on

a computer can be a business tool, which a console can't be (within reason). running protools on a mac and you are running a piece of serious creative software

with guitar hero and the link you are simply pressing buttons in time with the music, and no musical ability or creativity is required

if prince creates an album on protools he needs to write and play the music. it's very different

what artists are concerned about is kids spending more time pressing buttons on a console than taking time to learn to play a real instrument, which means through time there may be less kids playing instruments, and thus less new music being created. there is a steeper learning curve with a real instrument to a console game, and it takes real determination to get over that curve, something kids used to console games won't be used to, and will be unlikely to persist with

anybody can play guitar if they take the time to learn. if kids spent as much time trying to learn to play guitar as they do playing xbox or ps3 then they could be great musicians, but the consoles are drawing time away from creative subjects

unique said:

Well put.

I guess I'm biased in that my daughter though quite young is into Prince music because of me but not at all interested in learning to play guitar. I guess she wondered why my favorite guitar hero is not in the game but the Beatles and Aerosmith and others are. "He must not be that big a deal" In the end the decision is ultimately his for whatever reason.

http://prince.org/msg/7/312123

http://prince.org/msg/7/306597

I think Prince is absolutely right in this.
There is no substition for the real thing. The world has become colder and more impersonal and if there's any chance to slow that down by allowing kids to really pick a real guitar and build their character and talent the natural way, I'm all for it. I play guitar but I've never conquered it, yet still the pleasure at being able to do some things are priceless.

It's a principle he has and a good one. The learning process though uphill and difficult is what builds and develops one's spirit and values. That is pure freedom. Getting everything too easily will not build a better tomorrow.

Maybe he tries to avoid things like with Cobain now:

This comment from Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic seems to mention some nice points:

This is a statement regarding Nirvana, Guitar Hero and the likeness of the late Kurt Cobain.
We want people to know that we are dismayed and very disappointed in the way a facsimile of Kurt is used in the Guitar Hero game. The name and likeness of Kurt Cobain are the sole property of his estate - we have no control whatsoever in that area.
While we were aware of Kurt's image being used with two Nirvana songs, we didn't know players have the ability to unlock the character. This feature allows the character to be used with any kind of song the player wants. We urge Activision to do the right thing in "re-locking" Kurt's character so that this won't continue in the future.
It's hard to watch an image of Kurt pantomiming other artists' music alongside cartoon characters. Kurt Cobain wrote songs that hold a lot of meaning to people all over the world. We feel he deserves better.
Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl

Although a good contract could prevent use of Prince playing New Kids on the Block stuff some say that they never trust contracts.

Prince has got the right to say NO !

Unlearn what you have learned...you must


I totally agree with Prince here. He knows how to play his instruments and can therefore choose to leave them for what they are and mess around with a computer.

By playing Guitar Hero you won't become a musician

That picture is hilarious!

unique said:

Very well said, Unique. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I also agree with Prince...there is nothing like playing the real instrument. I play several: piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, and have played a bit of tenor and baritone saxes. I'm going to learn to play guitar. I just need to get the gumption to get to it!!

MacDaddy said:

is this dog married?

My only opinion understands Prince, yet I also realize that every kid playing video games is not going to be a musician. If the kids played "Guitar Hero," they would at least develop music appreciation and not just video skill.

The first thing out his mouth is how little he was offered.What if they offered him some big bucks?Would his philosophy still be the same?I agree with what he says,but I'm just waiting for the day they give him an offer he might not refuse..

sgmusic said:

He aint giving up his shit just so some yahoos can air guitar to his songs lol.And yeah he uses computers to create sometimes but it isnt like he cant play the shit out of most instrument anyways ..and has.

I like his creedo of actually gttign kids to learn an instrument instead of playing some video game.

Prince has a right to determine what/how he chooses to showcase his music.


Personally, I think music and art challenge and teach children intellect. Playing an instrument takes committment. Creativity and committment are very important life skills. Mimicking or simulating something doesn't allow the little ones to excercise their minds.

MacDaddy said:

He's sooooo cute. Smooches.

I think the first part of his response is the most important. He didn't get enough pieces of the cake.

dualboot said:

That's probably the real reason. They didn't offer him enough cash.

Still would have loved to see how they would have simulated a solo like the last one on Let's Go Crazy. How many Guitar Hero buttons would you have to press for that?

C'mon now people, how many of you have actually played Guitar Hero?

Its great FUN! I played it and thoroughly enjoyed it, my only gripe was that a lot of the songs were crap. If there was an option to play an all Prince song version that would be BRILLIANT.

I also play real guitar. But thats not important. GH is just FUN.