jamey Faulkner

As a guitar teacher, you might think that I frown on Guitar Hero, when actually the opposite is true. I think it does a lot, I mean, a lot, of good. I congratulate parents for purchasing the game & for moving into lessons for the real thing.

I travel to teach. I get to sit in practice spaces of students. Often, within reach is a Wii. It’s more common that a CD player now.

Guitar Hero accomplishes the following:

• Puts guitar in the fun zone right from the start. Teaching guitar is about creating positive memories, not trying to get students to ‘do stuff.’
• Establishes rhythm skills (beat competency).
• Links rhythm skills/musical action to visual cues.
• Soaks students in song form.
• Gets kids moving & dancing with a guitar. As a teacher at a Montessori school for 10 years, kids can sometimes freeze up. The Guitar Hero kids are looser overall.
• Guitar Hero players already have guitar goals in mind when they start lessons.
• Acquaints students with a wide span of music genres.
• Is a good break from the real thing. I’ve only played GH while at students’ homes. It’s a great way to keep lessons fun [a great way to take a break from training, especially for longer sessions].

Every student (especially students under 10) that plays Guitar Hero (that I have taught) is already steeped in guitarist mileu.

What may be most interesting is how Guitar Hero will bridge the gap between the toy & the real thing. I think this is one of the most fascinating aspects in today’s guitar education arena.

Go Guitar Hero!