Video game sparks renewed interest in guitar
Megan Feddersen — Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - Guitar Hero and Rock Band are all the rage in the world of video games.
But how much does the plastic guitar controller compare to the real thing? Not much really, but one local teacher has noticed the games piquing people's interest in learning how to play the real thing.
"I've got a lot of students because they (play the game) and then they want to learn to play a real guitar," said Joel Van Engen, who's been teaching how to play guitar for 20 years and the drums for 41 years.
"Of course, playing a real guitar is harder than the game," he added.
Not that the game is easy. Shaun Bulfer, a senior at Fairmont Area High School, could be considered a Guitar Hero god.
"He is good, I have to admit," his mom, Vicki Bulfer said. "He even has me play and I can't even play on slow."
"Through the Fire and Flames" by Dragonforce is perhaps the most challenging song out there on Guitar Hero, and he's passed it - on expert level.
"I guess that's the most insane song out right now for Guitar Hero III," Bulfer said. "... I wouldn't say I've mastered it, but I've passed it."
To play the XBox game, players press five buttons located on the neck of a plastic guitar controller. The buttons must be pressed at the right time - an image of a guitar neck on the television indicates when to play which "notes" using these same colors. Strumming is done by switching a little level back and forth. Using the "whammy bar" gives extra points. Put it all together, and players can whale away to their favorite tunes.
"It does get pretty addictive," Bulfer said.
The newest game, Guitar Hero World Tour, will be out Oct. 26, with updated technology for a more realistic guitar experience. And Bulfer is ready.
"I'll be one of those nerds there Saturday night," he said.
But as much time as Bulfer has spent on Guitar Hero - every weekend the past two years - he doesn't have much interest in learning the real thing.
"My parents say I should get one and start practicing because I'm so good at it, but I don't know," he said.
He did say it would be "kinda cool to learn," and maybe he'll pick it up in college, but for now, he's just having fun jamming with his friends, succeeding at a game where others have failed and enjoying the music.
Before Guitar Hero expanded his musical repertoire, Bulfer listened mostly to hip hop and rap. His favorites now include classic rock and metal.
Van Engen, already a classic rock buff, has seen the influence of Guitar Hero's music on his students. Now when he teaches "Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream or "Sweet Home Alabama" to beginners, they're excited to play songs they already know through video games.
"The easier stuff I show them," Van Engen said. "I don't know all the songs on those games, but I know some of them - enough to get them interested."
For anyone looking to advance from the game to an actual guitar, Van Engen suggests spending the money on a good instrument and finding a good teacher.
"Don't do it on your own 'cause it will take you 10 times longer," he said.
Lessons from Van Engen may not be an option, however. He already has 35 students and a waiting list.
