Prince turned down Guitar Hero, prefers kids 'learn how to actually play'

Speaking of Prince, bring back Chappelle's Show!

I say whatever floats your boat, if you enjoy Guitar Hero or Rock Band so much, then go ahead and try a real instrument, if you're just casual, then just keep on with the game.

darn it! i wanted to hear prince's thoughts on tekken 6

I love both music games and Prince, and I completely respect how he feels about this.

I will say, though, that I will buy the first game to come out with "7" and/or "Purple Rain," regardless of whether it is a rhythm game, dance game, or collection of Wii mini-games. I should just send him $60.

No Prince songs probably means no wang-shaped guitar peripherals, a la his Super Bowl performance. Darn... er... I mean, probably for the best.

...darn

I kind of agree with Prince, which makes me feel weird for some odd reason. Why don't people just play a real guitar, it's hard to be a doucebag when playing with plastic.

+1 for Prince. I like the Guitar Hero games, and the Rockband ones as well, but sadly some people may confuse the experience and not even explore the real thing because they're so used to the instant gratification that these games provide. Again, the games are not a bad experience, they're an absolute blast, but if they keep receiving the unchecked support of bands willing to do anything for popularity and a quick buck, we may run out of quality bands because the kids that could have been great have sadly settled. Some may call survival of the fittest on this and say good riddance to the people who may not have the dedication anyways, but that would not be right, specially when some may not be lazy, they just don't have the means to pursue music for lack of resources or guidance.

This in itself raises the possibility that this games may in fact boost the probability that people will in fact try the real thing and get into the music scene, but in order for that to happen, we NEED opinions like Prince's to surface now and then, from real musicians, so that the inspiration that they can provide to newcomers is complete, not just in the form of a sequence of button presses.

TLDR version: Madden 09 is great, but sometimes a real quarterback oughta reach out and help kids get into the sport, not just model for the cover of the game. Rockband and Guitar Hero are great, but sometimes Prince oughta come out and lay down the law with reality checks.

Can't I do both?

I don't get points for playing a guitar real guitar though

"incredibly tough to learn"

I learned how to play my first song in 15 minutes. Tough to learn my ass. I've been playing for ten years now, suck it Prince.

As for the Guitar Hero benefit - Guitar Hero and Rock Ban are way more fun than strumming a guitar in a time/fun equation.

Musicians are weird. They seem to think it's like one or the other. Either play the guitar or play Guitar Hero. Or that playing Guitar Hero never leads to a desire to play the guitar.

well, why doesn't Prince go out and become an actual prince?

Hey Prince,

can't kids do BOTH?

I have been around music for over 20 years. I can play the piano, violin, bass clarinet, clarinet, tenor sax, and sax. I have been a piano teacher, studied under various professors starting at the age of 12...and I LOVE GUITAR HERO/ROCK BAND games.

My son's interest in music has come out of nowhere since I have had those games in my house. Before....NO INTEREST (and he has my musical talent) which he now is starting to use.

Multitasking Prince....its not that hard.

Good for Prince! I HATE douchebags who think they are musical gods because they beat freebird on expert. You know whats badass random GH douchebag? ACTUALLY PLAYING FOR REALS. not to be up on a soapbox but i believe music games are sullying music as a whole, because kids will relate songs to GH or RB and not the actually artists.

Say it aint so Purple One! Don't be greedy! I know his record label shit left him hurting but shit Rock Band needs Prince! Maybe Morris Day and the muthafukkin Time will step up!

I f**king love you guys.

"Uni-tay!"

I don't have an opinion on Prince, but come on. What's the difference between playing a fake guitar or real guitar in terms of the fun you have? If you get the same amount of (or more) enjoyment out of your plastic guitar than a real one, godspeed.

Sure, elitists (on BOTH sides) are annoying, but it comes with the territory of any hobby you could ever possible participate in.

Peace.